Anambra State V. Dr. Ngige: Those Who Come To Equity, Must Come With Clean Hands.
By
Paul I. Adujie
New York, United States
How much character, integrity, dignity and credibility did Dr. Ngige have before he became governor of Anambra state? How much of these important attributes does he have left now? That is, assuming that he had them in the first place! This writer, in "Anambra state, parochial or national interests" expressed great concern over the unending crises foisted upon my compatriots in Anambra state; The Anambra state continuing saga, is as much, a political, legal/constitutional as moral issues.
How did Dr. Ngige get into this mess of mortgaging the future of Anambrarians? How did he tie his owns hands, by agreeing, carte blanc, with his political godfather, to perpetrate all the illegalities and the sorry-tales that we have been saddled with since July 2003? How did a very educated man, a medical doctor? turn himself into an amoral man without a scintilla of dignity?
Godfatherism led to gangsterism and lawless goons, engaged in undemocratic conduct which culminated into the anarchy in July 2003; Again, this week, we have been witness to the resurrection of this crises, that some have assumed resolved, through a negotiated peace deal brokered by political leaders in South East, which was led by the senate president, Senator Wabara.
Dr. Ngige's political father is no angel, but would any of these mess have happened without Dr. Ngige's connivance and collusion with Mr. Uba and others, from the very begining of their political romance? What do Nigerians make of the audios, videos and other information that have all pointed to the fact of misconduct on the part of Dr. Ngige? All of which Dr. Ngige has not retracted effectively? It is true that no individual Nigerian should be Judge, Jury and Executioner all in one, as Mr. Uba and his followers appear to assume such powers, but what are we to say of Dr. Ngige who gave them the opportunities?
The main focus in the Anambra crises should be on Dr. Ngige, because afterall, he is the one, who needed a godfather for his own ambition and purpose, the people and the electorate in Anambra state, did not ask for these mess! Mr. Chris Uba is a private citizen, who should be compelled to obey the laws of the state and the country, but it must be said, that Dr. Ngige is the rat in the house who informed the rat in the farm-field, of the presense of food and hospitality and invited the bush rat indoors.
Why in the name of democracy must Anambra state continue to be the grass that suffers in these fights of ugly political elephants? Is Dr. Ngige the last man standing that can be governor? The situation in Anambra state is made worse, by the fact the state House of Assembly have flip-flopped several times, what with their hasty actions over the purported letter of resignation by Dr. Ngige? What with their 360 degree turn to repudiate their own actions, mea culpa? What with their current rally and support for Dr. Ngige? How is it? That these legislators in Anambra state appear or seem to want to be all things to all people, i.e, pleasing Mr. Uba, Dr. Ngige, Speaker Azodo etc etc.?
The role of the High Court in Enugu must be understood and interpretted from the point of the situs of Honorable Achukwu's complaints to the court! The locus in quo was Okpara Square in Enugu state, and everyone must understand that Justice Nnaji and his court have jurisdiction over events that transpire in Enugu state, as in the case of the flagrant abuse of and infringments on Honorable Achukwu's fundamental human rights! How come many Nigerians appear not to voice disapproval of the intimidation, assault and near-death that was visited on Hon. Achukwu? Does he not posses the right to disagree with Dr. Ngige and withraw his support? How come some are not voicing disapproval on the alleged attempts by Dr. Ngige and cohorts to bribe or buy Hon. Achukwu? Or is it now the rule, anyone who refuses to be bought, anyone who disagree with the powerful must be intimidated or even assasinated? Why should Nigerians or any courts in Nigeria ignore the allegations of a near-death experience, in the hands of thugs, as recounted by Hon. Achukwu, of the Nnewi South Constituency II? Hon. Achukwu said, "I was beaten and I was drenched in my blood." He also stated that he was "in Enugu at the Michael Okpara square. I was accredited"
I am revolted by the information regarding the inhuman actions that were visited on Hon Achukwu, it is also a reprehensible and repulsive use of power, for the House of Assembly to suspend Hon Achukwu, it must be clear that the House has been acting as if a puppet on a string controlled at one time by Mr. Uba and at another, by Dr. Ngige, the House has flipped-flopped severally on many issues on many occassions.
The House of Assembly in Anambra state could have saved the individuals involved in these bragadocios and power tussles, save the House itself this embarrassingly ridiculous political ping-pong, the House could have saved Anambra state and the nation from this crippling crises, pregnant with far-reaching ominous implications.... If the House had acted transparently, when it received the resignation letter by Dr. Ngige as delivered to Speaker Azodo; The House of Assembly has had more than one opportunity to propely resolve, whether or not, Dr. Ngige resigned as governor effective July 2003, and the House, months since could have, but did not, but instead, it allowed itself to continue to be manipulated by various forces, forces that appear outwardly amoral, the House exercised its power in suspension and denial of salaries and allowances to Hon. Achukwu, but were such actions not arbitrary and as a consequence of further manipulations? What happens to Mrs Eucharia Azodo or Deputy Governor Udeh? Perhaps these cases will eventually wound up in the Supreme Court of Nigeria, for a once and for-all pronouncement.
A court needs to interprete and make pronouncement on the validity, effectiveness or a lack of validity and effectiveness of Dr. Ngige's resignation as governor, lets use audio, video and handwriting expert or analysts; If Dr. Ngige effectively resigned, does it not follow that, he was trespassing an invitation-only event in Okpara Square, Enugu, which was meant for the political caucus leaders from Anambra state and Congress and others? If Dr. Ngige had no right to be at the square, but he was there, worse, conspired wtih others to carry out illegal acts, as perpetrated on Hon. Achukwu... a trespasser committed an illegal act, within the jurisdiction of Enugu, while the trespasser relied on the immunities attached to his hitherto relinquished office.
Another issue to be mindful of, is, Hon. Achukwu's properly filed and served court processes on the government or the appropriate arm of government of Anambra state, these court papers appear to have been ignored or discountenanced by Dr. Ngige or his legal team/representatives? Nigerians should consider it an egregious affront on the rule of law, due process and every tenet of democracy, when and if any Nigerian disregards court processes and or court orders, whether such Nigerian is governor taxi driver! Nigerians should examine Dr. Ngige's pattern of behavior more closely.
Honorable Achukwu made these statements below, to a Nigerian newspaper, that I read online, "I went to court to determine whether Ngige he has the right to be at Okpara Square at the time was there". " He has invited me a number of times, to side him, I said no" "they offered me money to say that I do not know Uba and to withdraw the case in Abuja so that Ngige will have victory. It was recorded on video" "I only went to court because my rights were infringed. Should I have hired thugs to enforce my rights and beat up Ngige? If he is dissatisfied with the ruling, he can appeal. We should allow the rule of law to guide us and not anarchy"
"The constitution says that the letter is accepted when the speaker receives it, and not after the House has deliberated on it. The Speaker did not say she received it in error. "She filed the same action as I did in Abuja." House of Assembly committed an illegal and unconstitutional act by retracting that purported letter of resignation?" "You cannot appropriate and reprobate at the same time." "As the situation degenerated" "It was very illegal, a kind of corrupt practice"
"Ngige was deemed to have resigned immediately the Speaker received that letter" "I went to court here because I was assaulted and wanted to the court to determine whether the person who assaulted me had right to be in that very venue." "In a constitutional matter like this, only the court should be allowed to settle and interpret it." "the letter of resignation, which Ngige has never retracted" "Ngige and the Attorney General were served through the Anambra High Court, but they did not come to court" "When Ngige got the hint of our court action, he bribed the members and I was suspended. I was suspended because I went to court. John Orakwe moved a motion that I should be suspended for gross misconduct. I asked whether it was a crime to ascertain the rule of law". "When I went for my June salary and my allowances - furniture, house, and car loan - had been stopped by the governor"
Dr. Olatunji O. Abayomi, a prominent Nigerian lawyer stated the following to a Nigerian newspaper and I am in complete agreement. "The outgoing Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chris Ngige present himself as under siege. He captures the emotion of a whole lot of interests and sectors of nation life. He is merely wasting our time on a simple uncomplicated resignation authored by him, accepted by the Speaker of House of Assembly according to the Constitution, and now regularly affirmed by the court of law". "The citizen who alleged the infringement of his fundamental right that is citizen Achukwu is a disabled lawyer. He understood the unequivocal provision of Section 46 of our current Constitution which provides inter alia:"
"He stated that the governor was served through the Attorney General of Anambra State. The Governor was sued in his official capacity as he could rightly be sued under Section 308". His words: "The court decided the justice of the case and gave judgment affirming quite rightly that Dr. Chris Ngige had become a trespasser to the office of Governor with effect from July 10, 2003, the date his letter of resignation was received by the House of Assembly under Section 306(5) of the Constitution. "It is clear that the entire machinery of government under Governor Ngige has become a joke and lawless. It is under the same system that a direct affront and disrespect of a lawful order of court was publicly proclaimed in Akwa while serving a pernicious injunctive order against a co-ordinate Federal High Court".
Abayomi said that Ngige was no longer Governor, noting," his act confirmed it, the constitution affirms it and now the court has again firms it up". According to him, it will, therefore, be utterly wrong to work up sentiments unduly in favour of an adult, educated man, who voluntarily chose his path to greatness by trading away his commission of governorship office. "We must not and should not allow the governor to destroy our institutions simply to satisfy his wrong interest. "Enough is enough, Governor Ngige should leave office". He is the one that needs to set Anambra free not Uba, not Udeh, not PDP, not the Nigerian Police Force, not the President, not anyone, because, he alone, by his voluntary choice, is roughing up the peace of Anambra simply because he does not want his act to bind his path. And this is wrong, very wrong."
Anambra House of Assembly, could have saved everyone else these troubles, if they had impeached Dr. Ngige, based on all the information that has been known to the public since July 2003, especially, Dr. Ngige's apparent undervalue and complete disregard for such important concepts as character, integrity, dignity, honesty or even credibility! According to Dr. Okey Ndibe, Dr. Ngige, "A medical doctor like Ngige should never have permitted himself to be in a relationship where a secondary school dropout is said to be his godfather In 2004, may all political godsons renounce and obliterate their so-called godfathers" And I might add that, Dr. Ngige who is a Christian, a very educated man, but he allegedly took so many actions and bewildering steps, that ran counter to his pedigree? Where is the man in him? Has he not betrayed the people and voters in Anambra state enough? Why do so many Nigerians shed tears for Dr. Ngige? He is not blameless in all of these! He is no hero! Just as Mr. Uba is no angel, Anambra state and the whole of Nigeria may be the loser in the Ngige vs Uba imbroglio.
Dr. Ngige has caused these political and constitutional crises, he is the genesis of these gangsterisms and illegalities, he is to blame for taking loans from loan-sharks, while using public properties as his collateral, the creditor wants to enforce an agreement, albeit, an illegal agreement, should Anambrarians and all Nigerians not be focused on Dr. Ngige who pledge public property and public trust reposed in him for his personal loan? Why, all of a sudden, some to ignore Dr. Ngige's insidious and invidious roles in all of these? If I tell a creditor that he can appoint some commissioners for a state, in which I preside as governor, is this not corruption and an impeachable offence? Why does anyone think that the tainted Dr. Ngige still has the dignity or even goodwill to remain governor?
The political and legal issues raised in the cascading crises in Anambra state presents different sides that must be addressed, in order for a meaningful and enduring solution or resolution to take firm hold, Nigerians must take a good look at the origin or genesis of the crises, without exonerating any of the participants.
Should Dr. Ngige not be held responsible for his actions? Is he not the one, who foisted his godfather on us? He took a personal loan from Mr. Uba and Dr. Ngige apparently used his power to offer Anambra state to Mr. Uba as collateral for the personal loan he took! Dr. Ngige in doing so, betrayed mandate and public trust, to be governor! This is a moral issue.
January 2004
Friday, November 28, 2008
What Does Obasanjo Stand To Gain From The Anambra Crises?
What Does Obasanjo Stand To Gain From The Anambra Crises?
By
Paul I Adujie
New York, United States
May be I am naive? How could President Obasanjo really benefit from the crises in Anambra state? The godfather Mr. Uba is said to be related to the president through marriage and Dr. Ngige was elected on the PDP party platform, how would crises in a PDP controlled stated benefit the president, a defacto head of PDP party? And more importantly, why would the president want a cascading and spiraling crises in any state in Nigeria, regardless of party affiliation? Would the president not have to consider the far reaching implications, possible consequences of reverberations? Why would the president engage in such inimical actions?
What have been alleged by pro-Ngige critics of President Obasanjo, clearly defies all logic! Their accusations against the president rings hollow and emotional, it is, in all probabilities, just rumors and speculations that have gone out of control. It clearly does not make any sense for the president to foment trouble or these sorts of intrigues in a state controlled or dominated by the PDP, which is the case in both the state executive and legislative branches of Anambra government. A scenario cast in another state, controlled by an opposition party governor, could have been plausibly possible, and such intrigue will be criminal as well, but at least, the logic of such, would be that, Aso Rock is trying to cause crises in states not controlled by the PDP, in order to make such state an easy win, in the next elections or perhaps cause impeachment of a sitting governor, if there was the possibility of a gubernatorial bye-election and the success of a PDP candidate was assured.
President Obasanjo or any logical thinker can see that there is no gain or benefit to be derived in instigating political crises in Anambra state. It is becoming clearer by the minute, that those with preconceived notions about the president, are cashing-in on the Anambra crises, to reinvigorate their doom and gloom predictions and predilections, while heaping invectives at the president's office, demeaning his person, just as they forecast the end the entity, Nigeria.
Why would the president seek the breakdown of the rule of law, thereby seeking, unwittingly, the anarchy that would be inevitable? It is confounding that Dr. Ngige is now, suddenly calling on the public to protect the constitution, the rule of law and democracy, when all he has even done to these concepts, is visit them with his "faithful infidelities" Dr. Ngige dined with the devil and sowed flatulence laden ill-wind, he is reaping the whirlwind of his obnoxious deals with Mr. Uba.
Dr. Ngige should not come out of all of these as a hero or matyr, instead, he should receive censure and opprobrium from all and sundry; Mr. Uba and his supporters do not deserve any praise from anyone, but, it must be remembered clearly, that it was Dr. Ngige who engaged the services of his political godfather, a godfather who saw his sponsorship Dr. Ngige's governorship efforts, as simply a profitable investment, now he wants a return on his investment, he want the enforcement of his contract with Ngige, we should blame Ngige for entering the sort of contract with Mr. Uba, in the first place.
Nigerians appear to be willing to forgive and forget Dr. Ngige's ignominous role in bringing about the ceaseless crises in Anambra state; Instead, some Nigerians have picked an easy target, the president. This was the same attitude exhibited by some, during the debate on the introduction of Sharia laws and rules in some states, I recall how some Nigerians wanted the president to go into such states and just clamp down on the initiators of Sharia system of laws.
We live a in democratic system and in a federation, there is supposed to a modicum of respect for the individual political component parts of the federation, this is not a unitary military government, during which a national leader proclaims and acts as the lord and master of all political divisions, nationwide. Why do some Nigerians continue to persist in the old and bad habit of demanding direct micro-management from the president, federal government, in every local and state issue? It is time for Nigerians to stop demanding democracy with all democratic attributes, while constantly demanding arbitrary actions reminiscent of the military.
Oh, how I wish it was legal, to make matadors out of Uba and Ngige, and compel them to face each other at a market square to slug it out with one another, for the entertainment of all! Instead of continuing to be enemies of development and progress for Anambra state, and by extension and reverberations, they are stultifying the development and progress of Nigeria. Enough.
"We cannot bring ourselves to consider some media speculations that the Presidency may have been working at cross-purposes with the interests of the people of our state by fuelling one or two misunderstandings" in Anambra state Barrister Igboanu on behalf of Anambra state women, wrote on Friday January 8, 2003 in a Nigerian newspaper, my sentiments exactly.
Why is Nigeria rife with these speculations or rumors? Just because the president has not resorted to direct interventions or some other forms of gra~gra, in reasonable deference to states' rights, his deference does not mean that he is not concerned or worse, that he has engineered the crises. Blame Ngige, then Uba!
Jan 2004
By
Paul I Adujie
New York, United States
May be I am naive? How could President Obasanjo really benefit from the crises in Anambra state? The godfather Mr. Uba is said to be related to the president through marriage and Dr. Ngige was elected on the PDP party platform, how would crises in a PDP controlled stated benefit the president, a defacto head of PDP party? And more importantly, why would the president want a cascading and spiraling crises in any state in Nigeria, regardless of party affiliation? Would the president not have to consider the far reaching implications, possible consequences of reverberations? Why would the president engage in such inimical actions?
What have been alleged by pro-Ngige critics of President Obasanjo, clearly defies all logic! Their accusations against the president rings hollow and emotional, it is, in all probabilities, just rumors and speculations that have gone out of control. It clearly does not make any sense for the president to foment trouble or these sorts of intrigues in a state controlled or dominated by the PDP, which is the case in both the state executive and legislative branches of Anambra government. A scenario cast in another state, controlled by an opposition party governor, could have been plausibly possible, and such intrigue will be criminal as well, but at least, the logic of such, would be that, Aso Rock is trying to cause crises in states not controlled by the PDP, in order to make such state an easy win, in the next elections or perhaps cause impeachment of a sitting governor, if there was the possibility of a gubernatorial bye-election and the success of a PDP candidate was assured.
President Obasanjo or any logical thinker can see that there is no gain or benefit to be derived in instigating political crises in Anambra state. It is becoming clearer by the minute, that those with preconceived notions about the president, are cashing-in on the Anambra crises, to reinvigorate their doom and gloom predictions and predilections, while heaping invectives at the president's office, demeaning his person, just as they forecast the end the entity, Nigeria.
Why would the president seek the breakdown of the rule of law, thereby seeking, unwittingly, the anarchy that would be inevitable? It is confounding that Dr. Ngige is now, suddenly calling on the public to protect the constitution, the rule of law and democracy, when all he has even done to these concepts, is visit them with his "faithful infidelities" Dr. Ngige dined with the devil and sowed flatulence laden ill-wind, he is reaping the whirlwind of his obnoxious deals with Mr. Uba.
Dr. Ngige should not come out of all of these as a hero or matyr, instead, he should receive censure and opprobrium from all and sundry; Mr. Uba and his supporters do not deserve any praise from anyone, but, it must be remembered clearly, that it was Dr. Ngige who engaged the services of his political godfather, a godfather who saw his sponsorship Dr. Ngige's governorship efforts, as simply a profitable investment, now he wants a return on his investment, he want the enforcement of his contract with Ngige, we should blame Ngige for entering the sort of contract with Mr. Uba, in the first place.
Nigerians appear to be willing to forgive and forget Dr. Ngige's ignominous role in bringing about the ceaseless crises in Anambra state; Instead, some Nigerians have picked an easy target, the president. This was the same attitude exhibited by some, during the debate on the introduction of Sharia laws and rules in some states, I recall how some Nigerians wanted the president to go into such states and just clamp down on the initiators of Sharia system of laws.
We live a in democratic system and in a federation, there is supposed to a modicum of respect for the individual political component parts of the federation, this is not a unitary military government, during which a national leader proclaims and acts as the lord and master of all political divisions, nationwide. Why do some Nigerians continue to persist in the old and bad habit of demanding direct micro-management from the president, federal government, in every local and state issue? It is time for Nigerians to stop demanding democracy with all democratic attributes, while constantly demanding arbitrary actions reminiscent of the military.
Oh, how I wish it was legal, to make matadors out of Uba and Ngige, and compel them to face each other at a market square to slug it out with one another, for the entertainment of all! Instead of continuing to be enemies of development and progress for Anambra state, and by extension and reverberations, they are stultifying the development and progress of Nigeria. Enough.
"We cannot bring ourselves to consider some media speculations that the Presidency may have been working at cross-purposes with the interests of the people of our state by fuelling one or two misunderstandings" in Anambra state Barrister Igboanu on behalf of Anambra state women, wrote on Friday January 8, 2003 in a Nigerian newspaper, my sentiments exactly.
Why is Nigeria rife with these speculations or rumors? Just because the president has not resorted to direct interventions or some other forms of gra~gra, in reasonable deference to states' rights, his deference does not mean that he is not concerned or worse, that he has engineered the crises. Blame Ngige, then Uba!
Jan 2004
Debt Forgiveness, Disarmament, Africans And Arabs Meet The World
Debt Forgiveness, Disarmament, Africans And Arabs Meet The World
By
Paul I. Adujie
New York, United States
Perhaps it is appropriate? It is only appropriate, that Nigerians and other Africans frequently discuss our national and continental issues passionately, with singular focus and with stridency, vociferousness or fervor; our national and continental affairs are matters that touch us directly and personally, these issues therefore have immediacy.
However, Nigerians and other Africans must necessarily include the affairs of the entire world in our sphere of concern, and therefore debate and vibrant discussions in our national and continental for a! Nigerians and other African citizens must begin to demonstrate in more effective ways, our status as global thinkers and global citizens of the human race, Nigerians and other Africans have never been lacking participation in world affairs, whether it was peace-keeping in Burma or the Congo, or contributions of our blood and sweat in the First and Second World Wars.
Nigeria more particularly, has contributed extraordinarily to the liberations struggles in the Southern Africa part of our continent, specifically, in the struggles for self-determinations in Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe during all of our lifetimes, and only recently, Nigerians engaged in other peace-keeping efforts in Sierra Leone and Liberia, both of which saw Nigeria expending billions of dollars and individual Nigerian soldiers, journalists and other citizens making the ultimate sacrifice in the efforts or endeavor that were selfless, to save fellow Africans.
Nigerians and other Africans must therefore watch events of the past week, with eagle-eyes, this is because, occurrences and recurrences in other parts of the world, have deep meanings and far reaching consequences for us, apart from the altruistic concerns for fellow human beings, there are also lessons for Nigerians and other Africans to be learnt, and factors to be compared and or considered, in view of the world reactions to events and occurrences in Africa, contrasted with everywhere else, I strongly believe in Africa’s self-definition, I strongly believe, the road and process leading to self-definition, would be helped-along speedily, if we realize soon enough, the resources that we possess, and we realize how we are perceived by the rest of the world and perhaps, why it is more urgent than ever before, for us, to have a better sense of ourselves, the odds against us imbued with newer opportunities to chart and change our collective course for good.
Two current events unfolded last week, that has once again, served to dramatize the plights and predicaments of Africa and Africans, first, is the vigorous "Debt Forgiveness Campaign" on behalf of Iraq, embarked upon by for Secretary of State James Baker as special envoy and at the behest of President George Bush the erstwhile and still friend of Africa?
The second event, is the unilateral disarmament as announced by Colonel Gaddafi, which saw celebration and jubilations in America and Europe, bearing in mind, that South Africa, the only other atomic/nuclear/WMD bearing Africa nation gave-up such capabilities before a black African had a chance to command and control these resources or curse! I will like to err on the side of more bread, more butter spending by any and every African government, as opposed to spending a Kobo or dime on armaments, conventional or WMD, why spend one Kobo on arms, when people have no food to eat? Who do you want to defend, the people who are dying of starvation and kwashiorkor? Good questions? But what make America able to occupy Iraq, Afghanistan etc and no questions asked? Are we to believe it is because America make the best combined harvesters and other earth plough and earth tilling equipment of the agricultural types? Are the Americans in stronger militarily because they make the best farm fertilizers in the world? Or rather, because they have weapons, weapons and more weapons, conventional weapons and atomic, nuclear and other types of WMD, including, perhaps, the mere perception, that they actually have more than they actually currently have?
I strongly believe that the only reason the Americans have not invaded North Korea, and instead engaged in appeasement, rapprochement, has been because of the American knowledge of North Korean possession of a million person strong army, including atomic/nuclear capabilities, whereas, Iraq was considered "safer’ for invasion and occupation, as the Iraqi army had been decimated for nearly twenty years, from the war with Iran…(who outside the Middle East, instigated that war between Iraq and Iran?) Iraq was further decimated and pulverized by the 10 to 15 years of bombing from the different administrations of American government, the no-fly-zone weakened the Iraq Air Force, then, sanctions with a literal blockade of Iraq during that period.
In both of the two events that I have mentioned, African nations have been through these paths, someone, should inform me and enlighten me about President Bush’s special envoy for debt forgiveness in-charge of Sierra Leone, Liberia or the Sudan, Somalia and Ethiopia etc? Someone should enlighten me, regarding the progress made by Sonny Bono and others, who have met repeatedly, begging for debt forgiveness for many African and other so-called third-world countries, these efforts have been going on for more than a decade, can we measure the results? The benefits of Bono meeting with president Bush secretary of the Treasury or Bush and Blair, regarding "Debt Forgiveness’ for Africa?
Iraq has more oil than Nigeria, Iraq has about 23 million people, Iraq has less people than Nigeria’s 133 million people, Iraq has had corruption and mismanagement, and it is foreseeable, that these ills will not depart Iraq overnight, with or without the American occupation, what then is the difference between Iraq and Nigeria? Or this is protection for American taxpayers money inflowing, into Iraq for reconstruction? Or what else then, explains the "special and attenuating circumstances for Iraq, circumstances that are extenuating for Nigeria? Whatever that can be argued in favor of Iraq, can be argued in favor of Angola, South Africa, Sudan, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, Congo, Somalia and all those other countries in Africa that have just emerged from wars for freedoms, independence and self-determinations! Imagine if Zimbabwe received all the promised foreign aid, that would have enabled Zimbabwe pursued post independence land-redistribution for Black Africans in Zimbabwe, whose lands were grabbed by colonialists, imagine if the Lancaster House Agreement to redistribute lands in Zimbabwe had the same enthusiasm that we now notice for Iraq, Kosovo etc?
How about the other African countries, without wars, but with devastations almost as desperate and debilitating as war crises? Where is their help and or debt forgiveness? Why is foreign aid good for Afghanistan, Kosovo, Bosnia and now Iraq, and the same are never quite directed at Africa? What is the difference? Is this a matter of color or logic? Or are these just the self-interests of these donor countries, is America and Europe again, as always, protecting their imperial interests? Who decides what is in Africa's best interests, whether proliferation is only a beautiful thing in the hands of non-Africans, non-Arabs? Africans and Arabs are being treated as children, again! Why does the whole war disarm and produce more bread and butter?
How come France of Paris Club of unforgiving lenders, is now willing to forgive Iraqi debt, seemingly, just like that? How come Russia, who needed America grains, financial bailout and IMF and World Bank loans, helps and aids, Russia is willing to forgive Iraq debts? How about the debt Africans owe France and Russia, Japan, China etc?
On the matter of arms and arms race, should Africans be disarming themselves unilaterally? As South Africa and Libya have chosen? When is Israel announcing unilateral disarmaments and if not why not? Is it the case, that, Saddam was a mad man and brutal dictator and cannot join the atomic/nuclear/WMD elite club, ditto the South Africans and Libyans, but it is okay for say, Israel, France, America, Britain, Russia and their friends or can anyone argue, that there is no hunger and poverty or inequalities in these atomic/nuclear/WMD possessing countries, so, they can spend their surplus on these weapons, and in Africa, people are too hungry, and should not spend money on weapons? If so, why does Nigeria even need AK47s or fighter jets or armored tanks or other conventional weapons, let us feed everybody first, tar the roads, equip schools and hospitals, never buy even guns for the police, until we have enough food to eat?
Is it possible, that there are connections between armament, and securing economic, technological and strategic advantages? Is it possible, that there are connections between the acquisition or possession of military strength or superiority by the Israelis and the perpetual under-dog, hapless and helpless stone-throwing, pebbles-throwing Palestinians? Or why are war, peace and endless humiliations for Palestinians dictated by everyone else, but the Arabs? Is it possible, that the site for atomic, nuclear or WMD "research" being planned by America and Europe, is currently being so hotly contested? The hot contest, of who hosts the WMD facilities, is between France and Japan, and France is strenuously opposed by America, because of France’s anti-invasion, anti-occupation of Iraq stance
The opposition to the atomic site being located in France, is because America prefers Japan, who has for the most part, played along with the Americans, in America’s wrong-headed policies of invasion and occupation, Japan as supporter, is therefore rewarded, more than tacitly; It should be clear to all then, that, the high technology associated and derivative from such "research" on atomic, nuclear and WMD facilities, as being contemplated, by America and Europe, will generate immediate employment boon directly and indirectly, it will produce direct and indirect technological development, related to armament and unrelated to it, if it were worthless, why would these countries be hotly pursuing and contesting the privilege to host or country where it is located?
The rest of the world, except those currently in possession of atomic, nuclear, WMD etc, cannot afford these weapons, and worse, once acquired, would be misused? As was the cases in Hiroshima and Nagasaki catastrophes? Who in Africa was responsible for all of these? Who in the so-called Third-World, have been responsible for world wars?
From colonialism and neocolonialism, to invasions and occupations, worldwide, and throughout history? Who should the human race really worry about, when it concerns reckless use of weapons of mass destruction? Perhaps we should consult citizens and survivors of the twin Japan cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki! Nothing in the world has really changed, from the medieval times of acquisition and misuse of Armadas, the consequent dominations of peoples, to Berlin Conference and now, South African and Libyan unilateral disarmaments in the face of "superior "fire-power" those who will now benefit from the reduced competition for the resources in the world. .. North Korea has achieved détente by deterrence, the fear of the known, unknowns and unknowable about North Korea, makes the difference between NK and Iraq.
But to think in that manner or to have that mindset, is the equivalent of being simplistic, and a demonstration of an acute unawareness of how the world works! I would invest in weapons research and agriculture and education, medical research etc. all at once! America has homelessness, but America invests in space research, New York State has about 18 million people and about 8 million out of that live in New York City alone, and about 38,000 New York City inhabitants are homeless, living like vagrants, homeless and poor fed daily by volunteers, fed by Churches and other religious charities, these are all indications of poverty and abject lives, in the midst of what is supposed to be America’s bounty and abundance, but the Americans invest in space, in military research, in expeditions to space that cost billions of dollars every year, America engages in adventures to Afghanistan and Iraq etc, in whatever pretexts.
While the Africans are engaging in unilateral disarmaments? President Bush is excited at the prospect of Libyan unilateral disarmament, because it is in Libyan’s best interests and President Bush is all for everything that is for Libya’s interest? As it was in South Africa’s best interests to disarm when SA did? When will it be, America and Europe’s best interests to disarm? When will be Israel’s best interests to disarm or the Africans are just everybody’s fool? What is the best interests of Africa and the rest of the world, who are outside the now exclusive atomic, nuclear and WMD club? Who decides, now and in the future, the parameter or criterion measuring atomic, nuclear and WMD acquisitions?
Jan 2004
By
Paul I. Adujie
New York, United States
Perhaps it is appropriate? It is only appropriate, that Nigerians and other Africans frequently discuss our national and continental issues passionately, with singular focus and with stridency, vociferousness or fervor; our national and continental affairs are matters that touch us directly and personally, these issues therefore have immediacy.
However, Nigerians and other Africans must necessarily include the affairs of the entire world in our sphere of concern, and therefore debate and vibrant discussions in our national and continental for a! Nigerians and other African citizens must begin to demonstrate in more effective ways, our status as global thinkers and global citizens of the human race, Nigerians and other Africans have never been lacking participation in world affairs, whether it was peace-keeping in Burma or the Congo, or contributions of our blood and sweat in the First and Second World Wars.
Nigeria more particularly, has contributed extraordinarily to the liberations struggles in the Southern Africa part of our continent, specifically, in the struggles for self-determinations in Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe during all of our lifetimes, and only recently, Nigerians engaged in other peace-keeping efforts in Sierra Leone and Liberia, both of which saw Nigeria expending billions of dollars and individual Nigerian soldiers, journalists and other citizens making the ultimate sacrifice in the efforts or endeavor that were selfless, to save fellow Africans.
Nigerians and other Africans must therefore watch events of the past week, with eagle-eyes, this is because, occurrences and recurrences in other parts of the world, have deep meanings and far reaching consequences for us, apart from the altruistic concerns for fellow human beings, there are also lessons for Nigerians and other Africans to be learnt, and factors to be compared and or considered, in view of the world reactions to events and occurrences in Africa, contrasted with everywhere else, I strongly believe in Africa’s self-definition, I strongly believe, the road and process leading to self-definition, would be helped-along speedily, if we realize soon enough, the resources that we possess, and we realize how we are perceived by the rest of the world and perhaps, why it is more urgent than ever before, for us, to have a better sense of ourselves, the odds against us imbued with newer opportunities to chart and change our collective course for good.
Two current events unfolded last week, that has once again, served to dramatize the plights and predicaments of Africa and Africans, first, is the vigorous "Debt Forgiveness Campaign" on behalf of Iraq, embarked upon by for Secretary of State James Baker as special envoy and at the behest of President George Bush the erstwhile and still friend of Africa?
The second event, is the unilateral disarmament as announced by Colonel Gaddafi, which saw celebration and jubilations in America and Europe, bearing in mind, that South Africa, the only other atomic/nuclear/WMD bearing Africa nation gave-up such capabilities before a black African had a chance to command and control these resources or curse! I will like to err on the side of more bread, more butter spending by any and every African government, as opposed to spending a Kobo or dime on armaments, conventional or WMD, why spend one Kobo on arms, when people have no food to eat? Who do you want to defend, the people who are dying of starvation and kwashiorkor? Good questions? But what make America able to occupy Iraq, Afghanistan etc and no questions asked? Are we to believe it is because America make the best combined harvesters and other earth plough and earth tilling equipment of the agricultural types? Are the Americans in stronger militarily because they make the best farm fertilizers in the world? Or rather, because they have weapons, weapons and more weapons, conventional weapons and atomic, nuclear and other types of WMD, including, perhaps, the mere perception, that they actually have more than they actually currently have?
I strongly believe that the only reason the Americans have not invaded North Korea, and instead engaged in appeasement, rapprochement, has been because of the American knowledge of North Korean possession of a million person strong army, including atomic/nuclear capabilities, whereas, Iraq was considered "safer’ for invasion and occupation, as the Iraqi army had been decimated for nearly twenty years, from the war with Iran…(who outside the Middle East, instigated that war between Iraq and Iran?) Iraq was further decimated and pulverized by the 10 to 15 years of bombing from the different administrations of American government, the no-fly-zone weakened the Iraq Air Force, then, sanctions with a literal blockade of Iraq during that period.
In both of the two events that I have mentioned, African nations have been through these paths, someone, should inform me and enlighten me about President Bush’s special envoy for debt forgiveness in-charge of Sierra Leone, Liberia or the Sudan, Somalia and Ethiopia etc? Someone should enlighten me, regarding the progress made by Sonny Bono and others, who have met repeatedly, begging for debt forgiveness for many African and other so-called third-world countries, these efforts have been going on for more than a decade, can we measure the results? The benefits of Bono meeting with president Bush secretary of the Treasury or Bush and Blair, regarding "Debt Forgiveness’ for Africa?
Iraq has more oil than Nigeria, Iraq has about 23 million people, Iraq has less people than Nigeria’s 133 million people, Iraq has had corruption and mismanagement, and it is foreseeable, that these ills will not depart Iraq overnight, with or without the American occupation, what then is the difference between Iraq and Nigeria? Or this is protection for American taxpayers money inflowing, into Iraq for reconstruction? Or what else then, explains the "special and attenuating circumstances for Iraq, circumstances that are extenuating for Nigeria? Whatever that can be argued in favor of Iraq, can be argued in favor of Angola, South Africa, Sudan, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, Congo, Somalia and all those other countries in Africa that have just emerged from wars for freedoms, independence and self-determinations! Imagine if Zimbabwe received all the promised foreign aid, that would have enabled Zimbabwe pursued post independence land-redistribution for Black Africans in Zimbabwe, whose lands were grabbed by colonialists, imagine if the Lancaster House Agreement to redistribute lands in Zimbabwe had the same enthusiasm that we now notice for Iraq, Kosovo etc?
How about the other African countries, without wars, but with devastations almost as desperate and debilitating as war crises? Where is their help and or debt forgiveness? Why is foreign aid good for Afghanistan, Kosovo, Bosnia and now Iraq, and the same are never quite directed at Africa? What is the difference? Is this a matter of color or logic? Or are these just the self-interests of these donor countries, is America and Europe again, as always, protecting their imperial interests? Who decides what is in Africa's best interests, whether proliferation is only a beautiful thing in the hands of non-Africans, non-Arabs? Africans and Arabs are being treated as children, again! Why does the whole war disarm and produce more bread and butter?
How come France of Paris Club of unforgiving lenders, is now willing to forgive Iraqi debt, seemingly, just like that? How come Russia, who needed America grains, financial bailout and IMF and World Bank loans, helps and aids, Russia is willing to forgive Iraq debts? How about the debt Africans owe France and Russia, Japan, China etc?
On the matter of arms and arms race, should Africans be disarming themselves unilaterally? As South Africa and Libya have chosen? When is Israel announcing unilateral disarmaments and if not why not? Is it the case, that, Saddam was a mad man and brutal dictator and cannot join the atomic/nuclear/WMD elite club, ditto the South Africans and Libyans, but it is okay for say, Israel, France, America, Britain, Russia and their friends or can anyone argue, that there is no hunger and poverty or inequalities in these atomic/nuclear/WMD possessing countries, so, they can spend their surplus on these weapons, and in Africa, people are too hungry, and should not spend money on weapons? If so, why does Nigeria even need AK47s or fighter jets or armored tanks or other conventional weapons, let us feed everybody first, tar the roads, equip schools and hospitals, never buy even guns for the police, until we have enough food to eat?
Is it possible, that there are connections between armament, and securing economic, technological and strategic advantages? Is it possible, that there are connections between the acquisition or possession of military strength or superiority by the Israelis and the perpetual under-dog, hapless and helpless stone-throwing, pebbles-throwing Palestinians? Or why are war, peace and endless humiliations for Palestinians dictated by everyone else, but the Arabs? Is it possible, that the site for atomic, nuclear or WMD "research" being planned by America and Europe, is currently being so hotly contested? The hot contest, of who hosts the WMD facilities, is between France and Japan, and France is strenuously opposed by America, because of France’s anti-invasion, anti-occupation of Iraq stance
The opposition to the atomic site being located in France, is because America prefers Japan, who has for the most part, played along with the Americans, in America’s wrong-headed policies of invasion and occupation, Japan as supporter, is therefore rewarded, more than tacitly; It should be clear to all then, that, the high technology associated and derivative from such "research" on atomic, nuclear and WMD facilities, as being contemplated, by America and Europe, will generate immediate employment boon directly and indirectly, it will produce direct and indirect technological development, related to armament and unrelated to it, if it were worthless, why would these countries be hotly pursuing and contesting the privilege to host or country where it is located?
The rest of the world, except those currently in possession of atomic, nuclear, WMD etc, cannot afford these weapons, and worse, once acquired, would be misused? As was the cases in Hiroshima and Nagasaki catastrophes? Who in Africa was responsible for all of these? Who in the so-called Third-World, have been responsible for world wars?
From colonialism and neocolonialism, to invasions and occupations, worldwide, and throughout history? Who should the human race really worry about, when it concerns reckless use of weapons of mass destruction? Perhaps we should consult citizens and survivors of the twin Japan cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki! Nothing in the world has really changed, from the medieval times of acquisition and misuse of Armadas, the consequent dominations of peoples, to Berlin Conference and now, South African and Libyan unilateral disarmaments in the face of "superior "fire-power" those who will now benefit from the reduced competition for the resources in the world. .. North Korea has achieved détente by deterrence, the fear of the known, unknowns and unknowable about North Korea, makes the difference between NK and Iraq.
But to think in that manner or to have that mindset, is the equivalent of being simplistic, and a demonstration of an acute unawareness of how the world works! I would invest in weapons research and agriculture and education, medical research etc. all at once! America has homelessness, but America invests in space research, New York State has about 18 million people and about 8 million out of that live in New York City alone, and about 38,000 New York City inhabitants are homeless, living like vagrants, homeless and poor fed daily by volunteers, fed by Churches and other religious charities, these are all indications of poverty and abject lives, in the midst of what is supposed to be America’s bounty and abundance, but the Americans invest in space, in military research, in expeditions to space that cost billions of dollars every year, America engages in adventures to Afghanistan and Iraq etc, in whatever pretexts.
While the Africans are engaging in unilateral disarmaments? President Bush is excited at the prospect of Libyan unilateral disarmament, because it is in Libyan’s best interests and President Bush is all for everything that is for Libya’s interest? As it was in South Africa’s best interests to disarm when SA did? When will it be, America and Europe’s best interests to disarm? When will be Israel’s best interests to disarm or the Africans are just everybody’s fool? What is the best interests of Africa and the rest of the world, who are outside the now exclusive atomic, nuclear and WMD club? Who decides, now and in the future, the parameter or criterion measuring atomic, nuclear and WMD acquisitions?
Jan 2004
Signal of A New Dawn In The Administration Of Justice In Nigeria
Signal of A New Dawn In The Administration Of Justice In Nigeria
By
Paul I. Adujie
New York, United States
Good things are indeed happening in Nigeria! On Wednesday January 21, 2004 I read two articles in the on line version of a Nigerian newspaper, both articles reported, what I consider decent steps in the right direction, regarding judicial responsibility and the role of lawyers and the judiciary, in the uplift of Nigerians and Nigeria, the protection of the rights and freedoms of the average individual Nigerian citizens, particularly, those, who have been languishing needlessly in detentions and prisons.
The first moving news item, was in regard to the National Judicial Council audacious, courageous and timely suspensions of some errant members of the bench, judges, that is, who tried to influence justice and fair play, more pointedly, those who tried to miscarry and mislay justice and fair play, regardless of the evidence or facts. In these four suspensions, coupled with some other suspensions in the last several months, the NJC is clearly sending a message of zero tolerance for judicial misconduct and other shenanigans by those entrusted with the administration of justice in Nigeria.
I strongly believe, this sort of audacious and bold actions, on the part of the NJC, is stab in the back of corruption and vestiges of graft and greed, that needs to be rooted-out from Nigeria, particularly, from the judiciary and the administration of justice; This will send a message of reassurance to the average Nigeria, a sorely needed reassurance, to the effect, that, justice is not for sale to the highest bidder, a message to all Nigerians at home and abroad, to the effect that, there will henceforth be equality before the law, a message that justice and fair play will be the watch word for the administration of justice in Nigeria, and that any errant judge or judges shall face the full wrath of the NJC.
The recent actions of the NJC, will speak louder than words, it will act as a deterrence to those among judicial officers who may not have heard or embraced the crusade against judicial misconduct and or corruption of our judicial processes, it is now clearer, more than ever, to everyone, the consequences of judicial misconduct, public disgrace, truncation of legal career and quite possibly, jail sentences for former judicial officers, who will now be on the opposite of the criminal justice system in Nigeria, as the receiving-end of penalties, which they hitherto handed down unto other citizens.
Nigeria need law reforms, but Nigeria urgently need judicial reform and cleansing, before the amendments, the reforms of old laws and newly minted laws, can have any positive effects and benefits on all Nigerians, this is so, because, laws are only as good as their enforcements or observance; Nigeria actually have had very good laws in the book, except that some of these laws in our books, have lacked effective implementations and or enforcements, or worse, some of these laws, have been perverted by judicial officers who are willing to mortgage or truncate these laws, for their personal and selfish gains or for the protection of their friends and highest bidder; Imagine now, that such rascals amongst the ordinarily honorable profession of bar and bench, are being thrown out of the profession.
This sanitization of the legal environment, will augur well for sundry areas of life in Nigeria, it is common knowledge, that societies become progressive, while development become more likely or possible, where there is rule of law, where rules of rewards or punishments are certain, where facts and evidence and proper procedure determine the outcome of cases or matters before judicial officers, and outcomes are not determine by extraneous factors, such as, justice being for sale to the highest bidder or justice being exclusively for the well-connected.
Nigeria will develop with these necessary reforms, and become transformed into a society, where individual rights, freedoms, lives and properties secured and guaranteed, with consistent and very certain and definite rules, rules that are not subject to the arbitrary whims and caprice or manipulations of corrupt administrators of justice.Secondly, the other noteworthy article, was in connection with the Nigeria Bar Association, particularly, the Ikorodu chapter, whose actions moved a judge in Lagos, to summon the Attorney General of the Federation to his court, to explain why any Nigerian, especially the ones in question, detained for upwards of ten years, are detained without trial or freedom from detention! Those who are in a position to know, would tell you, that the conditions of Nigerian prisons are not humane, to say the least.
Why then, should any Nigerian citizen spend or waste his productive life in these inhumane conditions and without "favor" of a trial and sentence for any offense? Recently, I came across a book launch proposed, in connection with prison reform, I certainly hope that the forthcoming book on prison conditions, the urgent need for prison reform and the additional impetus from the actions emanating from the NBA Ikorodu chapter, to the waste of body, soul and flesh of our fellow Nigerians, most of them, innocent of any crime, but who are detained needlessly and endlessly.
Thirdly, two of Nigeria’s public intellectuals, Dr. Fankinlede and Mr. Abidde wrote different articles that expressed my exact feelings in connection with decorous public discourse, I gladly associating myself with their requests for constructive criticisms, devoid of gutter language, derisive and derogatory descriptions of public office holders, even when there are good reasons to be critical; Other Nigerian public intellectuals, commentators, journalists etc must embrace tolerance and what Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim, the former presidential candidate of the defunct GNPP, once described as politics without bitterness.
Good things are surely and steadily happening in Nigeria, the sun of our collective development and progress is rising
Feb 2004
By
Paul I. Adujie
New York, United States
Good things are indeed happening in Nigeria! On Wednesday January 21, 2004 I read two articles in the on line version of a Nigerian newspaper, both articles reported, what I consider decent steps in the right direction, regarding judicial responsibility and the role of lawyers and the judiciary, in the uplift of Nigerians and Nigeria, the protection of the rights and freedoms of the average individual Nigerian citizens, particularly, those, who have been languishing needlessly in detentions and prisons.
The first moving news item, was in regard to the National Judicial Council audacious, courageous and timely suspensions of some errant members of the bench, judges, that is, who tried to influence justice and fair play, more pointedly, those who tried to miscarry and mislay justice and fair play, regardless of the evidence or facts. In these four suspensions, coupled with some other suspensions in the last several months, the NJC is clearly sending a message of zero tolerance for judicial misconduct and other shenanigans by those entrusted with the administration of justice in Nigeria.
I strongly believe, this sort of audacious and bold actions, on the part of the NJC, is stab in the back of corruption and vestiges of graft and greed, that needs to be rooted-out from Nigeria, particularly, from the judiciary and the administration of justice; This will send a message of reassurance to the average Nigeria, a sorely needed reassurance, to the effect, that, justice is not for sale to the highest bidder, a message to all Nigerians at home and abroad, to the effect that, there will henceforth be equality before the law, a message that justice and fair play will be the watch word for the administration of justice in Nigeria, and that any errant judge or judges shall face the full wrath of the NJC.
The recent actions of the NJC, will speak louder than words, it will act as a deterrence to those among judicial officers who may not have heard or embraced the crusade against judicial misconduct and or corruption of our judicial processes, it is now clearer, more than ever, to everyone, the consequences of judicial misconduct, public disgrace, truncation of legal career and quite possibly, jail sentences for former judicial officers, who will now be on the opposite of the criminal justice system in Nigeria, as the receiving-end of penalties, which they hitherto handed down unto other citizens.
Nigeria need law reforms, but Nigeria urgently need judicial reform and cleansing, before the amendments, the reforms of old laws and newly minted laws, can have any positive effects and benefits on all Nigerians, this is so, because, laws are only as good as their enforcements or observance; Nigeria actually have had very good laws in the book, except that some of these laws in our books, have lacked effective implementations and or enforcements, or worse, some of these laws, have been perverted by judicial officers who are willing to mortgage or truncate these laws, for their personal and selfish gains or for the protection of their friends and highest bidder; Imagine now, that such rascals amongst the ordinarily honorable profession of bar and bench, are being thrown out of the profession.
This sanitization of the legal environment, will augur well for sundry areas of life in Nigeria, it is common knowledge, that societies become progressive, while development become more likely or possible, where there is rule of law, where rules of rewards or punishments are certain, where facts and evidence and proper procedure determine the outcome of cases or matters before judicial officers, and outcomes are not determine by extraneous factors, such as, justice being for sale to the highest bidder or justice being exclusively for the well-connected.
Nigeria will develop with these necessary reforms, and become transformed into a society, where individual rights, freedoms, lives and properties secured and guaranteed, with consistent and very certain and definite rules, rules that are not subject to the arbitrary whims and caprice or manipulations of corrupt administrators of justice.Secondly, the other noteworthy article, was in connection with the Nigeria Bar Association, particularly, the Ikorodu chapter, whose actions moved a judge in Lagos, to summon the Attorney General of the Federation to his court, to explain why any Nigerian, especially the ones in question, detained for upwards of ten years, are detained without trial or freedom from detention! Those who are in a position to know, would tell you, that the conditions of Nigerian prisons are not humane, to say the least.
Why then, should any Nigerian citizen spend or waste his productive life in these inhumane conditions and without "favor" of a trial and sentence for any offense? Recently, I came across a book launch proposed, in connection with prison reform, I certainly hope that the forthcoming book on prison conditions, the urgent need for prison reform and the additional impetus from the actions emanating from the NBA Ikorodu chapter, to the waste of body, soul and flesh of our fellow Nigerians, most of them, innocent of any crime, but who are detained needlessly and endlessly.
Thirdly, two of Nigeria’s public intellectuals, Dr. Fankinlede and Mr. Abidde wrote different articles that expressed my exact feelings in connection with decorous public discourse, I gladly associating myself with their requests for constructive criticisms, devoid of gutter language, derisive and derogatory descriptions of public office holders, even when there are good reasons to be critical; Other Nigerian public intellectuals, commentators, journalists etc must embrace tolerance and what Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim, the former presidential candidate of the defunct GNPP, once described as politics without bitterness.
Good things are surely and steadily happening in Nigeria, the sun of our collective development and progress is rising
Feb 2004
Much ado about religion
Much ado about religion
By
Paul Adujie
New York, United States
No Nigerian should be proclaiming any fears when churches or mosques are opened in any part of Nigeria, some Nigerians recently appeared to have been doing just that, as if to say, "there goes the neighborhood!" Nigeria is a country with a multiplicity of religions; There are animists, Christians of Catholic, Methodist, Apostolic, Baptist persuasions, including others too, like Jehovah Witnesses and even Hare Krishena! And of course, Nigeria has millions of Muslims as well.
In Nigeria, there is no separation between government business or activities from religious affiliations or activities and religious beliefs, this has been the case during my whole life in Nigeria and it is still currently so; The government of Nigeria have actually established and operated Pilgrim Welfare Boards to regulate Pilgrimages to Jerusalem, Mecca and Medina and the different levels of governments in Nigeria have funded and or subsidized these purely personal spiritual efforts for private Nigerian citizens.
The governments of Nigeria at all levels, ought to get out of the business of mixing religions with governance, let religion be personal and individual Nigerian citizen's private concerns, government officials from the president down, should refrain from holding any religion up, as if it was a matter of national security and national interests, what with the talk about Nigerian Television Authority devoting inordinate amount of airtime to religious activities from Aso Rock State House Chapel? Nigeria has no official or government religion, no president should create the appearance of that.... However, a president may be shown as attending religious obligations in Churches or Mosques and only if it is newsworthy. Nigerians who are expressing concerns over the establishment of a mosque in Umuahia appear not to have been cognizant of the fact that the different levels of governments in Nigeria have co-opted religions that are popular or favored, depending on the locale, it could be Christian or Muslim, usually determined by the prevalence of one group or the other in the vicinity.
So then, what else is new? Or what is the new big deal in the fact that the government of Governor Kalu Orji participated in activities leading to the creation and opening of a mosque in Umuahia? Is the concern because, Umuahia is a predominantly Christian city? But we know that Umuahia will not change or suffer any loss because a mosque is built! The sky will not fall because a mosque is built or because a is similarly church is built in Kano or Zamfara. The world will not end. Nigerians should learn religious tolerance, because if nothing else, Nigerians should learn from history, the damage, disaster or catastrophe that could arise from religious intolerance, so that, the building and opening of Churches and Mosques in any parts of Nigeria should not cause any fears, panic of hysteria... As a matter of fact, Marble Collegiate Church in New York, where I have worshipped for years as a semi-retired Catholic, is an embodiment of examples of religious tolerance and the celebrations of diversities and religious cooperation... As Marble invites Imams, Rabbis and Christian leaders of other denominations or congregations to our Church to deliver sermons, working for unity and cooperation for the exemplification of all religions and general understanding.
Why should any Nigeria engage in unnecessary hysteria over the opening of a mosque in Umuahia? Why are some behaving as if, there is an outbreak of a contagious disease of some pandemic proportions? If there is any concern at all, it must be focused on the fact that, it now appears that, the more church, mosque and other religious buildings that are opened in Nigeria, and the more fervor and passions that some Nigerians express about their varied religions and or spiritualities, the more there seem to be vices, such as avarice, greed, corruption and even religious intolerance! How come the holier that Nigerians get, the more intolerance seem to raise its ugly head?
Mallama Zainab Usman raised similar questions in her recent article, where she stated how some are doing all types of things in the name of "God" I wish only that Nigeria has become a correspondingly better country, in view of all the religious passions that we are too quick to claim; A majority of Nigerians, are hardworking, law abiding and are worshippers of different holies, it would have nice, for all these to have some positive effect on how Nigerians relate and deal with one another on a daily basis, all our holier and holier attitudes, ought to lead to our collective ability and willingness and desire to have mutual respect and admiration for each other's different religious persuasions, our claim to holiness ought to lead us to have faith in each other, and have tolerance for each other's point of view, political, religious or otherwise. But, it is currently the case, that, our religious claims or pretensions, have unfortunately, not translated into some love fest between Nigerians of the different religions or even of same religion, The religious passions that Nigerians claim, that some will kill other Nigerians for, these religious passions and fervor are yet to transform Nigeria positively, these religious passions and fervor have not as yet been translated into positive benefits for Nigerians and Nigeria, Nigeria is still not a crime-free society.
Nigeria has not been able to rid itself of activities that have hindered and prevented Nigeria from attaining sorely needed developmental progress and this, despite all the abundant resource that Nigeria have always possessed. In Nigeria, so many public conversations are held in the name of "God" as we recently witnessed Col. Abubakar Umar inform President Obasanjo about "God" and "Devil" in his open letter to the president discussing public policies! Col. Umar is the erstwhile firebrand governor of Kaduna state with good education, here he is, he could not stick to the debate of important national issues with the god and devil pejorative metaphors? Why cant this Officer and gentleman calibre of Nigerian, not stick to the issues of public policy formulations and implementation or faulty executions? Without the introduction of this god and devil appellations? What role has any religion in the debate or public discourse of national issues? Regrettably, the presidency did not stay above the fray! It did not do any better, it could and should have maintained a moral high-ground, but instead, it allowed the it to literally degenerate to the god and devil adjectives that the colonel had used.
The sad thing is, Col. Umar and the presidency are not the only ones that are guilty of introducing their religious passions into public discourse, the truth of the matter is that, too many Nigerians are guilty of interjecting religion into everything, and this happens frequently. Mallama Zainab Usman and I, are in complete agreement on this issue, too many Nigerians are conspicuously and ostentatiously religious and yet, we wonder where corrupt Nigerian Christians, corrupt Nigerian Muslims worship? Are corrupt public officials in Nigeria part of any organized religion? Please don't tell me that they are just bad Christians and bad Muslims. Where are the good ones? What is the religion of corrupt police officers? Corrupt Customs Officers are neither Christians or Muslims? How about corrupt bank officials? What is the religion of corrupt a Minister? How about a corrupt governor or president? What is the religion of a political godfather and political god son?
What indeed is the religion of a Divisional Police Officer or DPO, who detains an innocent Nigerian, detains an innocent, knowingly, but for the sole purpose extortions from the hapless detainee? What is the religion of those Nigerians who hoard petrol and maker fellow Nigerians suffer endlessly? What is the religion of 419ers and scammers? Nigeria will do better to leave their conspicuous religiousness out of public debate of policy formulations and executions/implementations, unless and until that happens, a mosque opening in Umuahia and the opening of a church in Kano or Zamfara, whether engineered by government or individual private citizens, will continue to sound like an assault or some invasion by foreign imperialists; Whereas, in truth, this ought to be a news item without these concerns that some had expressed.
The opening of any religious institution, such as a church or mosque in a multi ethnic, multi religious country as Nigeria, should not lead to any drama or mass hysteria. It is even quite possible that, the presence and co-existence of religious opposites, in various parts of Nigeria, may actually lead to religious and cultural tolerance and better understanding, greater understand between Nigerians, this will in turn lead to a better and greater country.... Governor Orji invited a Muslim counterpart to the opening of the mosque in Umuahia, who subsequently detailed his suave moves for the sake of unity and understanding in Nigeria, with his appointment of Ndigbo sons and daughters as advisers on particular matters of concern. Cooperation and understanding. Imagine Nigeria as a country with religious tolerance, a nation with unity and mutual understanding and respect for every our unique religions and culture? And everything that Nigerians hold dear individually and collectively? This is the Nigeria we want.
Feb 2004
By
Paul Adujie
New York, United States
No Nigerian should be proclaiming any fears when churches or mosques are opened in any part of Nigeria, some Nigerians recently appeared to have been doing just that, as if to say, "there goes the neighborhood!" Nigeria is a country with a multiplicity of religions; There are animists, Christians of Catholic, Methodist, Apostolic, Baptist persuasions, including others too, like Jehovah Witnesses and even Hare Krishena! And of course, Nigeria has millions of Muslims as well.
In Nigeria, there is no separation between government business or activities from religious affiliations or activities and religious beliefs, this has been the case during my whole life in Nigeria and it is still currently so; The government of Nigeria have actually established and operated Pilgrim Welfare Boards to regulate Pilgrimages to Jerusalem, Mecca and Medina and the different levels of governments in Nigeria have funded and or subsidized these purely personal spiritual efforts for private Nigerian citizens.
The governments of Nigeria at all levels, ought to get out of the business of mixing religions with governance, let religion be personal and individual Nigerian citizen's private concerns, government officials from the president down, should refrain from holding any religion up, as if it was a matter of national security and national interests, what with the talk about Nigerian Television Authority devoting inordinate amount of airtime to religious activities from Aso Rock State House Chapel? Nigeria has no official or government religion, no president should create the appearance of that.... However, a president may be shown as attending religious obligations in Churches or Mosques and only if it is newsworthy. Nigerians who are expressing concerns over the establishment of a mosque in Umuahia appear not to have been cognizant of the fact that the different levels of governments in Nigeria have co-opted religions that are popular or favored, depending on the locale, it could be Christian or Muslim, usually determined by the prevalence of one group or the other in the vicinity.
So then, what else is new? Or what is the new big deal in the fact that the government of Governor Kalu Orji participated in activities leading to the creation and opening of a mosque in Umuahia? Is the concern because, Umuahia is a predominantly Christian city? But we know that Umuahia will not change or suffer any loss because a mosque is built! The sky will not fall because a mosque is built or because a is similarly church is built in Kano or Zamfara. The world will not end. Nigerians should learn religious tolerance, because if nothing else, Nigerians should learn from history, the damage, disaster or catastrophe that could arise from religious intolerance, so that, the building and opening of Churches and Mosques in any parts of Nigeria should not cause any fears, panic of hysteria... As a matter of fact, Marble Collegiate Church in New York, where I have worshipped for years as a semi-retired Catholic, is an embodiment of examples of religious tolerance and the celebrations of diversities and religious cooperation... As Marble invites Imams, Rabbis and Christian leaders of other denominations or congregations to our Church to deliver sermons, working for unity and cooperation for the exemplification of all religions and general understanding.
Why should any Nigeria engage in unnecessary hysteria over the opening of a mosque in Umuahia? Why are some behaving as if, there is an outbreak of a contagious disease of some pandemic proportions? If there is any concern at all, it must be focused on the fact that, it now appears that, the more church, mosque and other religious buildings that are opened in Nigeria, and the more fervor and passions that some Nigerians express about their varied religions and or spiritualities, the more there seem to be vices, such as avarice, greed, corruption and even religious intolerance! How come the holier that Nigerians get, the more intolerance seem to raise its ugly head?
Mallama Zainab Usman raised similar questions in her recent article, where she stated how some are doing all types of things in the name of "God" I wish only that Nigeria has become a correspondingly better country, in view of all the religious passions that we are too quick to claim; A majority of Nigerians, are hardworking, law abiding and are worshippers of different holies, it would have nice, for all these to have some positive effect on how Nigerians relate and deal with one another on a daily basis, all our holier and holier attitudes, ought to lead to our collective ability and willingness and desire to have mutual respect and admiration for each other's different religious persuasions, our claim to holiness ought to lead us to have faith in each other, and have tolerance for each other's point of view, political, religious or otherwise. But, it is currently the case, that, our religious claims or pretensions, have unfortunately, not translated into some love fest between Nigerians of the different religions or even of same religion, The religious passions that Nigerians claim, that some will kill other Nigerians for, these religious passions and fervor are yet to transform Nigeria positively, these religious passions and fervor have not as yet been translated into positive benefits for Nigerians and Nigeria, Nigeria is still not a crime-free society.
Nigeria has not been able to rid itself of activities that have hindered and prevented Nigeria from attaining sorely needed developmental progress and this, despite all the abundant resource that Nigeria have always possessed. In Nigeria, so many public conversations are held in the name of "God" as we recently witnessed Col. Abubakar Umar inform President Obasanjo about "God" and "Devil" in his open letter to the president discussing public policies! Col. Umar is the erstwhile firebrand governor of Kaduna state with good education, here he is, he could not stick to the debate of important national issues with the god and devil pejorative metaphors? Why cant this Officer and gentleman calibre of Nigerian, not stick to the issues of public policy formulations and implementation or faulty executions? Without the introduction of this god and devil appellations? What role has any religion in the debate or public discourse of national issues? Regrettably, the presidency did not stay above the fray! It did not do any better, it could and should have maintained a moral high-ground, but instead, it allowed the it to literally degenerate to the god and devil adjectives that the colonel had used.
The sad thing is, Col. Umar and the presidency are not the only ones that are guilty of introducing their religious passions into public discourse, the truth of the matter is that, too many Nigerians are guilty of interjecting religion into everything, and this happens frequently. Mallama Zainab Usman and I, are in complete agreement on this issue, too many Nigerians are conspicuously and ostentatiously religious and yet, we wonder where corrupt Nigerian Christians, corrupt Nigerian Muslims worship? Are corrupt public officials in Nigeria part of any organized religion? Please don't tell me that they are just bad Christians and bad Muslims. Where are the good ones? What is the religion of corrupt police officers? Corrupt Customs Officers are neither Christians or Muslims? How about corrupt bank officials? What is the religion of corrupt a Minister? How about a corrupt governor or president? What is the religion of a political godfather and political god son?
What indeed is the religion of a Divisional Police Officer or DPO, who detains an innocent Nigerian, detains an innocent, knowingly, but for the sole purpose extortions from the hapless detainee? What is the religion of those Nigerians who hoard petrol and maker fellow Nigerians suffer endlessly? What is the religion of 419ers and scammers? Nigeria will do better to leave their conspicuous religiousness out of public debate of policy formulations and executions/implementations, unless and until that happens, a mosque opening in Umuahia and the opening of a church in Kano or Zamfara, whether engineered by government or individual private citizens, will continue to sound like an assault or some invasion by foreign imperialists; Whereas, in truth, this ought to be a news item without these concerns that some had expressed.
The opening of any religious institution, such as a church or mosque in a multi ethnic, multi religious country as Nigeria, should not lead to any drama or mass hysteria. It is even quite possible that, the presence and co-existence of religious opposites, in various parts of Nigeria, may actually lead to religious and cultural tolerance and better understanding, greater understand between Nigerians, this will in turn lead to a better and greater country.... Governor Orji invited a Muslim counterpart to the opening of the mosque in Umuahia, who subsequently detailed his suave moves for the sake of unity and understanding in Nigeria, with his appointment of Ndigbo sons and daughters as advisers on particular matters of concern. Cooperation and understanding. Imagine Nigeria as a country with religious tolerance, a nation with unity and mutual understanding and respect for every our unique religions and culture? And everything that Nigerians hold dear individually and collectively? This is the Nigeria we want.
Feb 2004
The president's choice of transport
The president's choice of transport
By
Paul I. Adujie
New York, United States
The public debate in connection with plans by the executive branch of the federal government of Nigeria, to purchase a jet aircraft, has generated great controversy, and for the most part, it has centered on whether such a purchase amounted to a national priority which warrants such huge expenditure of our very scarce resource; Critics of the president have also pointed to the current president, as if this debate is about a person, an individual, instead of discussing as an issue that affects Nigeria’s public symbol, national identity.
Most commentators and newspaper editorial boards, have tended to use the poor public perception of the current president, in favor of their "do not buy a jet for president Obasanjo-arguments" the president’s critics, have used the president’s performance, or lack thereof, coupled with what appears to be an ebbed public approval ratings, to determine their stance on the do not purchase the jet postulations, and as a consequence, the wrong criterion is being used by the president’s critics to determine whether the current president of Nigeria and future presidents of Nigeria must ride old bicycles, Okada motorbikes or Molue to public engagements, especially, given the penchant for frequent travels by the current president, those who do not like the president what him to trek or ride a donkey to France, America or South Africa?
First and foremost, it must be realized, that this is about the president of Nigeria, during the next thirty years, and not about the current president, whose tenure ends in 2007 and I do not believe that President Obasanjo will remain in office beyond his constitutionally permitted term beyond 2007, contrary to all theories and wild speculations, that is, the rumor that he plans to succeed of perpetuate himself as president beyond 2007 or even for life! Even after his term expires. It is an absurd and ridiculous rumor.
That being the case, we must then consider following additional factors, (a) Most Boeing Jets possess life span of several years, in fact, several decades, up to thirty years of good, safe and secure use, in fact. (b) The security and safety of the current president of Nigerian is of utmost importance (c) The safety and security of all subsequent Nigerians who would become president of Nigeria, is equally important, to that extent, the purchase of a good jet, is a national security investment. (d) President Obasanjo’s anticipated use of the jet that is being contemplated will be very limited, and for a period of approximately 3 years, perhaps, even considerably less than that, given the fact that the sale have not been consummated, let alone the additional work and refurbishments and reconfiguration that we hear that the aircraft may require before eventual delivery to the government.
In any case, the current president cannot use the jet beyond 2007, his constitutionally permitted term in office, which expires at that time. Accepting the premise that president Obasanjo will not perpetuate and succeed himself in office beyond 2007, further requires us to accept that he will not use presidential jets beyond 2007, unless he is receiving a courtesy ride, thus, any purchased presidential jet(s) remains in Abuja and will not be taken to Otta Farms! Be not afraid.
Nigerians must see the exulted office of the president, any president, as an ephemeral or transitory, even as it is accorded all due respects, prestige, and provided safety and security, therefore, a new jet for the president, is clearly safer and more secure, despite this, the executive branch has opted for a used aircraft, ostensibly, in order to save Nigerian taxpayers the additional expense that would have been expended on a brand new aircraft, this is arguably a prudent move, on the part of the executive branch of our government. But, I strongly believe that "cheap is expensive" in this instance, so, a brand new aircraft will be preferred, as it is only a little more expensive and not considerably so; A brand new plane is cheaper on the long term, it is more cost efficient and most cost effective, because the cost of repairs and refurbishments will be avoided and so-called questionable warranty issue, will be foreclosed, hence going for the cheap second-hand/used aircraft is expensive, why buy a second hand product, which is nearly as expensive when it is compared to a new of same product? Then swing around to spend a substantial amount or quite a bit to refurbish? All these, while the used product is said to have questionable warranty at best? And not considerably cheaper than the new one?
The presidential jet brouhaha bothers me, because, many critics and even perennial detractors of the current president, are again jumping unto the bandwagon to condemn current president for the investment he is clearly making, that will benefit generations of Nigerian presidents and Nigeria in the years ahead; The purchase of a jet by the current president, in essence, is not about the current president or even about future presidents of our beloved republic, instead, it is about our national symbol and the identity of any Nigeria who would be president.
A Nigerian who become the president of Nigeria, "ceases" to be an "individual" for himself/herself and therefore, this epiphany transforms the man or woman who is Nigeria’s president, into an embodiment of Nigeria, an institution or public "property" as such and his or her safety, security and protection/prestige assumes national and international significance of great proportions, hence, an attack on a Nigerian president at home or abroad, is an attack on Nigeria, unlike a similar attack on an "ordinary" citizen such as myself, hence any Nigerian should be will to take a bullet for any elected president in Nigeria, I would.
The safety and security of a Nigerian president is therefore viewed differently, ensuring the president’s well-being should touch and concern all of us, even if the president belong to a different political party or even if we disapprove of his/her policies, personally, if I had the money, I would pay for a presidential jet to ensure the safety and security of the current Nigerian president and or any future subsequent Nigerian presidents, and I would do so, faster than many other Nigerians who are devout Christians or Muslims would rush to buy luxury cars and homes for their pastors and or Imams and other religious or even titular traditional leaders, these religious types, engage in these false charities, in the hope that "God" will reward them in religious or spiritual uplift here on earth or in after-life of blissful heaven.
We must not put this president or future presidents of Nigeria, through public insults and humiliation, by castigating them, and denying them the perquisites, facilities, safety and security of their high office; We must not require them to ride bicycles, okada motorbike or molue, just because he or she belongs to a different political party, or pursues policies that we may dislike, or because they practice a different religion from a different region from us, We must not deprive the current Nigerian president and future ones, these things, just because he or she is not sexy. The current president and future ones remain our national symbol and identity, serve as our representative and embody the Nigerian spirit, Nigerian unity and goodness, deserving utmost safety, security and protection from all of us, the state of the economy not withstanding; Let the president have a new jet and not a bicycle.
Feb 2004
By
Paul I. Adujie
New York, United States
The public debate in connection with plans by the executive branch of the federal government of Nigeria, to purchase a jet aircraft, has generated great controversy, and for the most part, it has centered on whether such a purchase amounted to a national priority which warrants such huge expenditure of our very scarce resource; Critics of the president have also pointed to the current president, as if this debate is about a person, an individual, instead of discussing as an issue that affects Nigeria’s public symbol, national identity.
Most commentators and newspaper editorial boards, have tended to use the poor public perception of the current president, in favor of their "do not buy a jet for president Obasanjo-arguments" the president’s critics, have used the president’s performance, or lack thereof, coupled with what appears to be an ebbed public approval ratings, to determine their stance on the do not purchase the jet postulations, and as a consequence, the wrong criterion is being used by the president’s critics to determine whether the current president of Nigeria and future presidents of Nigeria must ride old bicycles, Okada motorbikes or Molue to public engagements, especially, given the penchant for frequent travels by the current president, those who do not like the president what him to trek or ride a donkey to France, America or South Africa?
First and foremost, it must be realized, that this is about the president of Nigeria, during the next thirty years, and not about the current president, whose tenure ends in 2007 and I do not believe that President Obasanjo will remain in office beyond his constitutionally permitted term beyond 2007, contrary to all theories and wild speculations, that is, the rumor that he plans to succeed of perpetuate himself as president beyond 2007 or even for life! Even after his term expires. It is an absurd and ridiculous rumor.
That being the case, we must then consider following additional factors, (a) Most Boeing Jets possess life span of several years, in fact, several decades, up to thirty years of good, safe and secure use, in fact. (b) The security and safety of the current president of Nigerian is of utmost importance (c) The safety and security of all subsequent Nigerians who would become president of Nigeria, is equally important, to that extent, the purchase of a good jet, is a national security investment. (d) President Obasanjo’s anticipated use of the jet that is being contemplated will be very limited, and for a period of approximately 3 years, perhaps, even considerably less than that, given the fact that the sale have not been consummated, let alone the additional work and refurbishments and reconfiguration that we hear that the aircraft may require before eventual delivery to the government.
In any case, the current president cannot use the jet beyond 2007, his constitutionally permitted term in office, which expires at that time. Accepting the premise that president Obasanjo will not perpetuate and succeed himself in office beyond 2007, further requires us to accept that he will not use presidential jets beyond 2007, unless he is receiving a courtesy ride, thus, any purchased presidential jet(s) remains in Abuja and will not be taken to Otta Farms! Be not afraid.
Nigerians must see the exulted office of the president, any president, as an ephemeral or transitory, even as it is accorded all due respects, prestige, and provided safety and security, therefore, a new jet for the president, is clearly safer and more secure, despite this, the executive branch has opted for a used aircraft, ostensibly, in order to save Nigerian taxpayers the additional expense that would have been expended on a brand new aircraft, this is arguably a prudent move, on the part of the executive branch of our government. But, I strongly believe that "cheap is expensive" in this instance, so, a brand new aircraft will be preferred, as it is only a little more expensive and not considerably so; A brand new plane is cheaper on the long term, it is more cost efficient and most cost effective, because the cost of repairs and refurbishments will be avoided and so-called questionable warranty issue, will be foreclosed, hence going for the cheap second-hand/used aircraft is expensive, why buy a second hand product, which is nearly as expensive when it is compared to a new of same product? Then swing around to spend a substantial amount or quite a bit to refurbish? All these, while the used product is said to have questionable warranty at best? And not considerably cheaper than the new one?
The presidential jet brouhaha bothers me, because, many critics and even perennial detractors of the current president, are again jumping unto the bandwagon to condemn current president for the investment he is clearly making, that will benefit generations of Nigerian presidents and Nigeria in the years ahead; The purchase of a jet by the current president, in essence, is not about the current president or even about future presidents of our beloved republic, instead, it is about our national symbol and the identity of any Nigeria who would be president.
A Nigerian who become the president of Nigeria, "ceases" to be an "individual" for himself/herself and therefore, this epiphany transforms the man or woman who is Nigeria’s president, into an embodiment of Nigeria, an institution or public "property" as such and his or her safety, security and protection/prestige assumes national and international significance of great proportions, hence, an attack on a Nigerian president at home or abroad, is an attack on Nigeria, unlike a similar attack on an "ordinary" citizen such as myself, hence any Nigerian should be will to take a bullet for any elected president in Nigeria, I would.
The safety and security of a Nigerian president is therefore viewed differently, ensuring the president’s well-being should touch and concern all of us, even if the president belong to a different political party or even if we disapprove of his/her policies, personally, if I had the money, I would pay for a presidential jet to ensure the safety and security of the current Nigerian president and or any future subsequent Nigerian presidents, and I would do so, faster than many other Nigerians who are devout Christians or Muslims would rush to buy luxury cars and homes for their pastors and or Imams and other religious or even titular traditional leaders, these religious types, engage in these false charities, in the hope that "God" will reward them in religious or spiritual uplift here on earth or in after-life of blissful heaven.
We must not put this president or future presidents of Nigeria, through public insults and humiliation, by castigating them, and denying them the perquisites, facilities, safety and security of their high office; We must not require them to ride bicycles, okada motorbike or molue, just because he or she belongs to a different political party, or pursues policies that we may dislike, or because they practice a different religion from a different region from us, We must not deprive the current Nigerian president and future ones, these things, just because he or she is not sexy. The current president and future ones remain our national symbol and identity, serve as our representative and embody the Nigerian spirit, Nigerian unity and goodness, deserving utmost safety, security and protection from all of us, the state of the economy not withstanding; Let the president have a new jet and not a bicycle.
Feb 2004
Do Female Suicide Bombers Also Want Virgins?
Do Female Suicide Bombers Also Want Virgins?
By
Paul I. Adujie
New York, United States
Every right thinking person should abhor violence, any form of violence, especially, where such violence is visited upon innocent persons; But violence must be examined closely, to discern root causes and actions that could be taken, to prevent recurrence or repeat of such violence. The crises between Palestine and Israel, resurged again, with the suicide bombing undertaken by a Palestinian woman, who was said to be a mother of two children; The newswires proclaimed that "Mother of Two Kills 4 in Israel and that "Arabs were screaming, Jews were screaming," said a Palestinian witness.
But what is her "poor excuse?" Male suicide bombers, are supposed to be seeking seventy female virgin maidens as reward for suicide bombing? Perhaps now, that illusion or fallacy will be put to rest, at the advent female suicide bombers? The past efforts to ridicule or minimized the circumstances that lead to suicide and bombing must be re-examined.
Perhaps the real crux of the matter is land? Self-determination being sought by Palestinians from Israeli occupation and military, that continues to put Palestinians under the manacles of industrial-strength anvil? And as Mr. Yassin put it, "Resistance will escalate against this enemy until they leave our land," Hamas founder Sheikh Ahmed Yassin; Is it helpful, to continue to pretend that suicide bombing is motivated by the magnet and lure of seventy virgin maidens, by amorously sedated male bombers? What now explains the increased participation, in suicide bombing by females? Seventy or eighty virgins? Or land?/dignity?
Unlike in the past, when Palestinian leaders would rush to condemn suicide bombings by Palestinians persons against Israelis, this bombing did not received such condemnations, this time, "Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurie did not condemn the bombing as he has, after attacks in Israel. Instead he said Israel's military crackdown "does not help to achieve quiet" and called for a mutual cease-fire" The continued targeted killings and demolitions actions in Palestine by Israel, must have informed the Palestine leader's reactions. The bloodshed continues on both the Palestine and Israel sides, there is abundant pain waiting for both participants, unless peace is vigorously pursued and attained by Palestine and Israel; the female suicide bomber, was a very young woman, Reem Al-Reyashi, 22, professed love for her children, a 3-1/2-year-old boy and a girl of 1-1/2 years It was reported that "Reyashi, from a middle-class merchant family in Gaza, said in a farewell video she had dreamed since she was 13 of "becoming a martyr" Is this not very instructive? Better to die, than compelled living under excruciating and perpetual bondage?
She planned to be a suicide bomber, not a doctor, lawyer or engineer, what grievance did she have? Or was she just an unthinking and unreasonable Arab and hater of freedoms and liberty? A child from a middle-class family, would have reasons to expect more from life, what then could be the circumstances of her life, that at age 13, she thought of suicide? And how come the world is not in a hurry to find out her reasons? At such a tender age? She concluded by saying: "God gave me two children and I loved them so much. Only God knew how much I loved them." According to press reports, Israel has accused Palestinians of glorifying suicide bombers and international human rights organizations have called the bombings crimes against humanity. Palestinians say Israel's military crackdown provokes such violence. Charge, counter charge, recriminations? When will it end? who will yield? When will a compromise materialize?
Why would a woman, the giver of life, a mother of two children, want to kill herself? Or, want to kill other persons, in the first place? These are the questions, important questions, that I believe must be answered by the United Nations and many others, who want to promote peace in the world; Suicide bombing by females has taken an upsurge in Palestine and Chechnya, this phenomenon, defies the previous explanations, derisive explanations, as it were, that male suicide bombers were in search of seventy virgins promised and in wait, in the heavens, suicide bombers, we are told, are therefore motivated by the endless heavenly bliss, with seventy virgins.
These over-simplistic and derisive explanations, have sought to portray, suicide bombers as less than humans, without moral value and without a will or desire to live and let others live; But those who would commit suicide, in what they believe is a fight for their own land, a fight to end occupation, a fight for dignity and respect for their people, are people who have endured indescribable humiliation, those who have endured the overwhelming power of the military might of their adversary or opponents.
It is confounding, that the world appears to think very little of the fate of Palestinians, there is palpable frustration in Palestine, there is unbearable hopelessness, what is routine travel to work or trips to perform daily chores, are turned into insurmountable obstacle courses for the average Palestinian, families are routinely separated, homes are routinely demolished and there are targeted killings and arbitrary arrests of Palestinians by Israeli forces, there is the continued construction of the fence, wall and barrier by agent provocateur, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Mr. Sharon with winks and nods from Mr. Bush, have been acting arrogantly, particularly, since the Middle East power equation balance, has been abruptly tilted in Israel's favor, this has been made possible, by the invasion and occupation of Iraq.
All entreaties to Israel, to cease and desist from the land grab and apartheid separations, which the fence or wall/barrier has created, has failed and so, the spate of violent actions, causing reactions, on the part of Palestine and Israel continues... Vicious cycle? When is the human race going to wake up to the unending scourge of abbreviated lives in Palestine? To the unimaginable sufferings and hardships that culminate into decisions to die by suicide, while taking others along? Suicide is made possible by existing circumstances of hopelessness and the conclusion that there is nothing to lose, just dying or that there is no prospect of a better life in Palestine, hence the perceived futility of continued existence?
Feb 2004
By
Paul I. Adujie
New York, United States
Every right thinking person should abhor violence, any form of violence, especially, where such violence is visited upon innocent persons; But violence must be examined closely, to discern root causes and actions that could be taken, to prevent recurrence or repeat of such violence. The crises between Palestine and Israel, resurged again, with the suicide bombing undertaken by a Palestinian woman, who was said to be a mother of two children; The newswires proclaimed that "Mother of Two Kills 4 in Israel and that "Arabs were screaming, Jews were screaming," said a Palestinian witness.
But what is her "poor excuse?" Male suicide bombers, are supposed to be seeking seventy female virgin maidens as reward for suicide bombing? Perhaps now, that illusion or fallacy will be put to rest, at the advent female suicide bombers? The past efforts to ridicule or minimized the circumstances that lead to suicide and bombing must be re-examined.
Perhaps the real crux of the matter is land? Self-determination being sought by Palestinians from Israeli occupation and military, that continues to put Palestinians under the manacles of industrial-strength anvil? And as Mr. Yassin put it, "Resistance will escalate against this enemy until they leave our land," Hamas founder Sheikh Ahmed Yassin; Is it helpful, to continue to pretend that suicide bombing is motivated by the magnet and lure of seventy virgin maidens, by amorously sedated male bombers? What now explains the increased participation, in suicide bombing by females? Seventy or eighty virgins? Or land?/dignity?
Unlike in the past, when Palestinian leaders would rush to condemn suicide bombings by Palestinians persons against Israelis, this bombing did not received such condemnations, this time, "Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurie did not condemn the bombing as he has, after attacks in Israel. Instead he said Israel's military crackdown "does not help to achieve quiet" and called for a mutual cease-fire" The continued targeted killings and demolitions actions in Palestine by Israel, must have informed the Palestine leader's reactions. The bloodshed continues on both the Palestine and Israel sides, there is abundant pain waiting for both participants, unless peace is vigorously pursued and attained by Palestine and Israel; the female suicide bomber, was a very young woman, Reem Al-Reyashi, 22, professed love for her children, a 3-1/2-year-old boy and a girl of 1-1/2 years It was reported that "Reyashi, from a middle-class merchant family in Gaza, said in a farewell video she had dreamed since she was 13 of "becoming a martyr" Is this not very instructive? Better to die, than compelled living under excruciating and perpetual bondage?
She planned to be a suicide bomber, not a doctor, lawyer or engineer, what grievance did she have? Or was she just an unthinking and unreasonable Arab and hater of freedoms and liberty? A child from a middle-class family, would have reasons to expect more from life, what then could be the circumstances of her life, that at age 13, she thought of suicide? And how come the world is not in a hurry to find out her reasons? At such a tender age? She concluded by saying: "God gave me two children and I loved them so much. Only God knew how much I loved them." According to press reports, Israel has accused Palestinians of glorifying suicide bombers and international human rights organizations have called the bombings crimes against humanity. Palestinians say Israel's military crackdown provokes such violence. Charge, counter charge, recriminations? When will it end? who will yield? When will a compromise materialize?
Why would a woman, the giver of life, a mother of two children, want to kill herself? Or, want to kill other persons, in the first place? These are the questions, important questions, that I believe must be answered by the United Nations and many others, who want to promote peace in the world; Suicide bombing by females has taken an upsurge in Palestine and Chechnya, this phenomenon, defies the previous explanations, derisive explanations, as it were, that male suicide bombers were in search of seventy virgins promised and in wait, in the heavens, suicide bombers, we are told, are therefore motivated by the endless heavenly bliss, with seventy virgins.
These over-simplistic and derisive explanations, have sought to portray, suicide bombers as less than humans, without moral value and without a will or desire to live and let others live; But those who would commit suicide, in what they believe is a fight for their own land, a fight to end occupation, a fight for dignity and respect for their people, are people who have endured indescribable humiliation, those who have endured the overwhelming power of the military might of their adversary or opponents.
It is confounding, that the world appears to think very little of the fate of Palestinians, there is palpable frustration in Palestine, there is unbearable hopelessness, what is routine travel to work or trips to perform daily chores, are turned into insurmountable obstacle courses for the average Palestinian, families are routinely separated, homes are routinely demolished and there are targeted killings and arbitrary arrests of Palestinians by Israeli forces, there is the continued construction of the fence, wall and barrier by agent provocateur, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Mr. Sharon with winks and nods from Mr. Bush, have been acting arrogantly, particularly, since the Middle East power equation balance, has been abruptly tilted in Israel's favor, this has been made possible, by the invasion and occupation of Iraq.
All entreaties to Israel, to cease and desist from the land grab and apartheid separations, which the fence or wall/barrier has created, has failed and so, the spate of violent actions, causing reactions, on the part of Palestine and Israel continues... Vicious cycle? When is the human race going to wake up to the unending scourge of abbreviated lives in Palestine? To the unimaginable sufferings and hardships that culminate into decisions to die by suicide, while taking others along? Suicide is made possible by existing circumstances of hopelessness and the conclusion that there is nothing to lose, just dying or that there is no prospect of a better life in Palestine, hence the perceived futility of continued existence?
Feb 2004
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
