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FELLOW NIGERIANS, FORGET GOVTS, FEND FOR YOURSELVES
FELLOW NIGERIANS, FORGET GOVTS, FEND FOR YOURSELVES
by Dele Sobowale
Fellow Nigerians, forget govts, fend for yourselves, by Dele Sobowale
“I didn’t come to look for money and exploit the situation; I came to work. I asked for the votes, and Nigerians gave them to me” – President Bola Tinubu, September 20, 2024.
Small correction is needed before getting to the heart of the matter. Nigerians gave candidate Tinubu 33 per cent of their votes; 67 per cent did not want him. INEC and the judiciary finished the job for him. Furthermore, no President has ever confessed that he was looking for money. But, why are they always far richer after than before going into office? To the best of my knowledge, Tinubu had no AIRBUS 320, even Tokunbo, before he became President. That costs a lot of money! One of the best attributes of great leaders is leadership by example.
LEADERSHIP AND EXAMPLES
“He that gives good advice builds with one hand. He that gives good counsel and example builds with both hands. But, he that gives good admonition, and bad examples, builds with one hand and pulls down with the other” – Francis Bacon, 1561-1626, VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS, p5, online.
Two weeks ago, Tinubu announced that “there is no free beer parlour anymore.” Most Nigerians will readily agree that appointing 48 Ministers, most with next to nothing to do, is akin to opening the biggest beer parlour in the nation. One would have expected the President to close those parlours. The Ministry of Petroleum Resources and its Departments and Agencies are the worst performing. Together, they have kept four idle scraps called refineries at great cost to the nation.
In fact, as a former Marketing Manager of three breweries in Nigeria, and very familiar with the operation of beer parlours, I can state authoritatively that 90 per cent of beer parlours are better managed than the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL. If they are not, they would have been out of business a long time ago. NNPCL collected billions to revive the refineries without success. Madam Beer Parlour has more sense. Everybody can remember the same promise made last year until it was time for the annual Holy Pilgrimage; when N91 billion was suddenly released. Few can forget the plane load of Nigerian officials who attended an international event to which China and the USA sent less than two dozen people. Talk is always cheap.
WHY NIGERIANS SHOULD FORGET GOVERNMENTS — N/E FIRST
The North-East zone of Nigeria, perennially the poorest of the six, is so distant from Lagos and Abuja that few of our media establishments – print, electronic or online – pay attention to it until something extra-ordinary occurs. Most often, it is a tragedy. Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, was in the news on account of a disaster which is still unfolding. Water from the Alau Dam, situated about 15 kilometres from the city, not only flooded the city, but also submerged thousands of buildings and structures. According to ReliefWeb, so far, about 40 people have been confirmed dead, 400,000 displaced and over one million people affected so far. The reader should bear in mind that several buildings are still partly under water and hundreds of people are still missing. Crops and stored food items have also been washed away. So, we don’t have a full tally of the damages.
“Only one week before the flooding, media across the country reported the Borno State government assuring – this word again – the country and residents of the city that all was well and there is nothing to worry about” – Suleiman A Suleiman, THE WHITE PAPER, Daily Trust, September 23, 2024.
Ordinarily, the disaster would have been dismissed as an act of God – the sort that can happen anywhere. But, after reading Dr Suleiman’s article, it became obvious that this was a tragedy foretold, preventable and which could have cost far less if it was averted by governments. Now, the entire nation will pay dearly for the serious dereliction of their duties by those elected and appointed to protect citizens from such disasters. Suleiman pronounced, and I absolutely agree, that “For many Nigerians in Maiduguri and environs ravaged by flood in the week before last, life would never be the same again.” No economist can possibly disagree. In fact, it might take decades for Maiduguri’s economy to recover; for reasons to be explained shortly. First, there is a need to examine governments’ role in this catastrophe; because several mini-tragedies have occurred which are creating a pattern of destruction all over Nigeria right now.
ROADS AND OTHER INFRASTRUCTURES
Just in case you think that the Maiduguri incident was one off. Permit me to draw your attention to one building up on the Asaba gateway to Onitsha in the South-East. Until the Second Niger Bridge was opened, the old Niger Bridge was the shortest gateway to several states in the South-South, South-East, Benue, parts of Kogi, Nasarawa and the North-East from Lagos. The pictures on page 12 of the paper tell more than a million words the story of absolute neglect by the FG since Buhari became President, and my brother Fashola was his Minister of Works. Nobody needs to be told that Engineer David Umahi, the current Minister of Works, has been too busy working on the road to nowhere from Lagos to Calabar to serve his own people. There is a bridge at the end of that road; and that entire area will soon be visited by flood water starting from Lagdo Dam in Cameroon. Just pray; because no government is thinking of the problems ahead of us.
Meanwhile, in the North, the consequences of neglecting roads and bridges are already creating havoc everywhere. The collapse of six bridges, just six, has already impoverished the people as much as bandits, hoodlums, kidnappers and herdsmen have done. Read first and understand the economic implications later.
“For instance, from Maiduguri to Geidam was just N6, 000 before the bridge was cut off, but we now charge N16,000 to cover the cost of an additional 350 kilometres…Maiduguri to Kano is now N20,000 against the N12,000 we charged previously, Geidam to Damaturu was N4,000, but, it’s now N13,000…” That was part of the report from officials of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW. You don’t need to know the cities mentioned as I do, having lived and worked in the zone. Just follow the transport fare increases; then remember that passengers and food products follow the same routes, and you will then understand why food prices will remain stubbornly high for a long time to come. Also, remember that what has happened to bridges and roads in the North-East has occurred in all the zones of Nigeria. With very few exceptions, the problems were man-made. Designers of dams, bridges and roads invariably recommend maintenance schedules for safety. Just as invariably, Nigerian governments ignore the planned maintenance schedules until Alau Dam collapsed.
ADVICE GOV ZULUM AND THE PEOPLE ON DONATIONS
“Telling the truth and accepting the truth has been our major problem in Nigeria. Some people will never tell you the truth when you are in power, and, honestly, many of us in power also do not want to hear the truth” – Professor Zulum, Governor of Borno State, 2021.
Governor Zulum, I volunteer to tell you the truth while in power. This disaster will reveal to the whole world whether or not Zulum is a hypocrite or not. There are occasions when only the hard truths must be faced. First and foremost, Zulum must admit responsibility for this tragedy; it occurred during his fifth year and three months in office and despite assurances given that all was well. Second, in more civilised nations, heads would have rolled – of officials who should have raised alarms but failed to do so; even if they were afraid of telling the governor the truth.
Zulum has appeared in public wearing the solemn look of Chief Mourner, with begging bowl in hand, and pledges have been pouring in. In that connection, let me advise the Governor and the people. One, they might discover that not all pledges will be redeemed. One clever chap, now a Senator, allegedly donated newspaper cuttings in naira sizes to University of Maiduguri in the 1980s!! So, the State Government should keep a meticulous record of ACTUAL payments. SERAP is watching and counting. Finally, N21 billion will never be sufficient to take care of everybody; not even N210 billion or N2.1 trillion. Government must let the people know how limited the intervention can be. The people of Maiduguri and Nigeria must accept the truth that governments cannot help most of us. We should just fend for ourselves as best as we can.
NIGERIA GOES TO THE UN WITH BEGGING BOWL AGAIN
By Benedict Binebai
Manipulative history often distorts the truth by presenting a biased interpretation of events, omitting key facts, and misrepresenting evidence to fit a specific narrative or ideology. This can be achieved through propaganda, simplification, or stereotyping, which can be used to influence opinions or beliefs.The Itsekiri history of Warri justifies the subheadings of manipulative history in the following ways:
Biased Interpretation
The Itsekiri narrative often portrays themselves as the sole founders and owners of Warri, downplaying the roles and contributions of other communities, such as the Urhobo and Ijaw. This selective presentation of facts supports a predetermined narrative of Itsekiri dominance and ownership.
Omission of Key Facts
The Itsekiri narrative often omits or glosses over the historical conflicts and power struggles between the Itsekiri and other communities, such as the Urhobo and Ijaw. This omission of key facts creates an incomplete and inaccurate picture of Warri’s history.
Distortion of Evidence
The Itsekiri narrative often misrepresents or manipulates historical evidence to support their claims to dominance and ownership. For example, they may emphasize their historical relationships with European colonizers to justify their perceived superiority over other communities.
Propaganda
The narrative often uses emotive language and loaded terminology to influence readers’ opinions or beliefs. For example, they use terms like “founding fathers” or “traditional owners” to emphasize their perceived historical rights and privileges.
Simplification or Stereotyping
The Itsekiri narrative often oversimplifies the complex historical relationships between the Itsekiri and other communities, portraying themselves as the sole beneficiaries of Western education, Christianity, and modernization. This oversimplification perpetuates negative stereotypes about other communities and reinforces Itsekiri exceptionalism.
Lack of Transparency
The Itsekiri narrative often lacks transparency regarding its sources, methods, and potential biases. This lack of transparency makes it difficult to evaluate the historical narrative critically and identify potential manipulations or distortions.
Emotional Manipulation
The Itsekiri narrative often uses emotive appeals or sensationalism to elicit a specific response or reaction from readers. For example, they may emphasize their historical cultural heritage or traditional practices to evoke a sense of nostalgia or pride, while downplaying the cultural heritage and traditions of other communities.
By examining the Itsekiri history of Warri through these subheadings, it becomes clear that the narrative exhibits characteristics of manipulative history, which can be used to justify a particular agenda or ideology.
Consequences of Manipulative History
Manipulative history can have far-reaching consequences, including the perpetuation of biases and stereotypes, justification of oppression or dominance, and erosion of trust in historical narratives and institutions. By distorting the past, manipulative history can create a false narrative that supports a particular agenda or ideology, leading to ongoing social and cultural tensions. This can contribute to polarization and conflict, as certain groups may feel marginalized or excluded from the dominant narrative.
The consequences of manipulative history can also be seen in the loss of cultural heritage and the undermining of critical thinking. By erasing or distorting certain narratives or perspectives, manipulative history can lead to a lack of understanding and appreciation for the complexities of the past. Furthermore, manipulative history can inform poor decision-making and policy development in the present, as inaccurate lessons are drawn from a distorted past. Ultimately, manipulative history can have a profound impact on our understanding of ourselves and our place in the world, highlighting the importance of promoting accurate and nuanced historical narratives.
Column – IduwiniVoice
Where falsehood reigns for decades, truth can reign everlastingly. This underscores the enduring power of truth, even in the face of prolonged deception. This notion is particularly pertinent in contexts where misinformation and falsehoods have been deeply ingrained in societal narratives, such as in the case of the “Warri Falsehood” and the “Warri Truth.” Here, the city of Warri in Nigeria serves as a microcosm for the struggle between falsehood and truth, where decades of misrepresentation and distortion can be challenged by the emergence of authentic voices and narratives.
The Warri Falsehood may manifest in various forms, including historical revisionism, cultural appropriation, or the suppression of marginalised voices. For instance, the dominant narratives surrounding Warri’s history and culture may have been shaped by those in positions of power, often to the detriment of the city’s indigenous communities. However, the Warri Truth represents a counter-narrative that seeks to reclaim and reassert the authentic experiences and perspectives of the region’s people. This truth-telling can take many forms, including art, literature, and oral traditions.
The struggle between the Warri Falsehood and the Warri Truth is not merely an academic or intellectual exercise; it has real-world implications for the people of Warri and beyond. When falsehoods are allowed to reign unchecked, they can perpetuate harm, injustice, and inequality. Conversely, the emergence of truth can be a powerful catalyst for healing, reconciliation, and social change. By amplifying the voices and stories of marginalised communities, the Warri Truth can help to create a more nuanced and accurate understanding of the region’s history and culture.
Ultimately, the triumph of truth over falsehood requires a sustained commitment to critical inquiry, cultural preservation, and community engagement. As the people of Warri and other affected communities continue to challenge dominant narratives and assert their own truths, they can create a more just and equitable society. By embracing the complexities and diversity of their experiences, the Warri Truth can reign everlastingly, providing a powerful testament to the enduring power of authenticity and resilience.
Truth is God’s greatest virtue of existence; let us respect and celebrate it.
Igumugumu
Prof. Benedict Binebai
The chains that bind us come in many forms – oppression, ignorance, fear. They weigh us down, restrict our potential, and silence our voices. But there is a powerful force that can shatter these chains: truth. When we confront the truth, no matter how difficult or uncomfortable, we begin to break free from the shackles that hold us back.
Truth has a way of illuminating the darkest corners of our minds and societies. It exposes the lies, the injustices, and the inequalities that perpetuate our bondage. As we embrace the truth, we gain the strength and courage to challenge the status quo, to demand change, and to fight for our rights. The chains that once bound us begin to weaken, and we start to feel the warmth of freedom’s breeze on our skin.
Breaking chains with truth is not a one-time event; it’s a continuous process. It requires vigilance, determination, and a commitment to seeking knowledge and understanding. As we uncover more truths, we become more empowered to take control of our lives, to make informed decisions, and to shape our own destinies. The chains that once held us captive begin to crumble, and we emerge stronger, wiser, and more resilient.
When we break chains with truth, we not only liberate ourselves, but also inspire others to do the same. Our stories, our experiences, and our triumphs become beacons of hope for those still trapped in the darkness of ignorance and oppression. As we march forward, hand in hand, truth becomes the rallying cry that unites us in our quest for freedom, justice, and equality. Together, we can shatter the chains that bind us and forge a brighter, more enlightened future.