Sunday 18 May 2014

LET'S LOOK BEYOND POLITICS



By Prince Ehio
 
When you exercise or compete in sports, you notice several changes in your body. You breathe heavier and faster; your muscles hurt and you sweat. These are all normal responses to exercise whether you work out regularly, once in a while or whether you are a trained athlete. The same goes with the human mind and thought pattern.

As an exercise physiologist, it’s easier for me to use body functions to make my points. The human body is a complex machine that performs sets of processes to meet body demands. Every system in the human body is involved in how your body responds to strenuous exercise - how muscles, blood circulation, breathing and body heat are affected and how these responses can be enhanced by training. This is the same as government; it thrives on the performance or the completion of the processes involved in its various sub-systems and not for a single man (or single arm) to run.

Imad Mesdoua said ‘nation building means more than "visible institutions". It’s also being effective; it also means "setting an example" ethically. If Senators, Governors and others can break laws, then they can't challenge those who do same’. While we blame the federal government as citizens, the councilors, house of assembly members, governors, members of the house of representative and senators whom are elected just like the federal government also blame the federal government. So why did we vote them in?  Even the judiciary blames
The government. Is the judiciary not part of the government? My understanding of the tiers of governance in Nigeria is that we have, The Executive, Legislative and Judiciary. Do we need to remind them? Are they not aware as the Executive pays their bills? This leads to a very pertinent question, why do we want our leaders in government to behave and talk like the civilized western world when we as citizens can’t behave or reason like the citizens of civilized countries?

I once travelled with a Nigerian from Heathrow airport. He appeared to be the best behaved Nigerian I had ever met until we got to MMIA. He immediately became noisy and littered the airport without qualms. When I asked about the sudden transformation, he replied without any regard saying, "This is Nigeria".

What have you done differently as a Nigerian in the last 5 years? We talk and accuse our leaders of cluelessness, corruption, ineptitude and indolence. Is there a state, local government or region in Nigeria enjoying excellent governance? If NO, have you asked yourself why? Is the problem with leadership or followership or both? Wouldn’t it be right to say that our leaders are who they are because of who we are? These are poignant questions every Nigerian must ask himself.

I follow a man on twitter who once said “A dog is missing and everyone is searching for this dog although for different reasons”. Some like the dog; some want to return it to the owner and some want to eat this same dog. Why would a leading state with a charismatic leader fight freedom of information bill? Or a presidential hopeful and party leader promise rot, burn and violence if elections are rigged. To quote him

"I say it again...if you rig this election we’ll roast you.” (We all know who I refer to here).

The above is particularly ridiculous where the assumption of every party on the losing end is that the election was rigged.

What is the problem with Nigeria? Ten Nigerians will give ten different answers. The common man on the street, on the print and social media and even in the beer parlor will claim and boast to know what decisions to take better than all past presidents since 1960 till date, and those who blame and keep blaming the present administration are blinded by their expectations. It is time for Nigerians to wake up from slumber and face reality. We are a unique people, a difficult people to rule or govern. Ask parents, managers, and directors.

I have my reservations with regards to information dissemination by the present administration in that it does not give out information or is slow to do so. It’s difficult to understand and most unacceptable that the presidential media team with all the government information machinery available cannot disseminate proper information to alleviate the worries of all Nigerians in these trying times. This is one of the reasons there is so much disaffection against this administration.

In the same vein I must admire the publicity of Lagos State Government in its resolve to share information in a timely manner even on issues that could be perceived as negative and deemed callous by citizens. For example, the FOI bill and the how State does not believe the bill should also relate to it and is even in court to defend that stand. Also the well documented case of housing projects the State has undertaken, where it has openly made a distinction between low cost housing and affordable housing. “llubirin”

In the world today, information is vital and with generational changes and innovations easy to share. This government needs to understand this and flow with it. (The three tiers of government)

Presently, all eyes and attentions are on #bringbackourgirls; this shouldn’t even be politics. This is criminality and wickedness and should be condemned with every strong term and at every opportunity. I have seen so many people pose with placards without knowing why they are carrying these placards. There are no clear reasons for these protests yet. I’ve asked questions over and over again with no answers. Is it getting to the boko haram sect or is this used to blame the government? Is this against government's delay in reaction?

While some have gained popularity or twitter followership, some have made money from it. I will not join politicians and activist to discuss but leave the security agents to confirm if these girls are missing and find them while also bring the perpetrators to book and end boko haram in Nigeria. Politicians and activist can’t and won’t go to the battle field or visit the dead soldier’s families to commiserate with them.

Lastly like pastor Tony Rapu asked "Does your driver sleep in the car while you sleep in the comfort of hotel rooms on trips? #ThereisGod

Let’s join hands to bring the change we want. Let’s put an end to double standards. This change can only come from our homes, churches, mosque, schools community, offices and on social media. Next time you want to discuss, criticize, or write, please look beyond the politics.

Prince Ehio tweets as @princewene

*Opinions stated are solely that of the writer.

Friday 28 February 2014

THE CENTENARY: CELEBRATING WHAT EXACTLY?

Last night in Abuja felt a lot like the day that ushered in 2014. The fire crackers lit up the sky and the air was festive. The creme de la creme of the society stood together watching the impressive fireworks celebrating a century of existence for the entity called Nigeria. Well-bred, well-spoken men and women of no small means mingled freely having soft conversations over glasses of Champagne with smiles on their faces as they waited patiently for the night's entertainment which consisted of Nigeria's finest musicians and movie stars. There was a smorgasbord of intercontinental dishes to choose from at the presidential banquet. The guests were all beautifully dressed giving the surrounding a truly beautiful look.

Adequate planning which began over a year ago and several billions of naira later ensured that for the Centenary celebration in that specific location, all was going to go perfectly without a hitch. Power was constant, food and drink were surplus and security was intact to make sure not a thing went amiss; and why not, the President was there in the flesh, along with his ministers, members of the National Assembly and the Judiciary, past presidents, representatives of Her Royal Majesty and representatives from other nations, business moguls, leeches and hangers on.

That was on the sunny side of town.

On the other side of town, somewhere in Yobe State, a bunch of ordinary people sat in their houses mourning the brutal murder of their children by the blood-thirsty Islamic sect, Boko Haram that have terrorized parts of Northern Nigeria for over three years. All they got from the C-in-C and were words of condemnation and empty promises...as usual.

In this particular two bedroom flat in Yobe State, there's no space as the house is crowded with sympathizers. The occupants of the sparsely furnished flat lost their 15 year old son to the Boko Haram attack of Tuesday 25th of February, 2014; an attack which will go down in Nigeria's history as one of the most dastardly attacks in her recent history.

Candle lights are lit in the sitting room, not to honour the dead child but as a result of persistent power failure as friends and sympathizers try to console the inconsolable mother who wails in misery and the bereaved father gnashes his teeth in agony. This is the scenario in at least 40 homes in Yobe State, on the same night the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan led-government wine and dines in the comfort and security of the Federal Capital Territory.

Faraway in United States of America or probably at the Centenary Banquet (who knows? After all, it has once been said a president can work from anywhere in the world, though we cannot be too sure if that applies to his employees), the Special Adviser to Mr. President on New Media is rather fidgety and not his usual boisterous self.

He is painfully aware of how his costly error has derobed him of the cloak of morality he once used to defend his employer beyond all scope of logic and reasoning and decieve his impressive twitter followership. He is troubled that he can now be seen for what he really is; a slimy charlatan. He had gone too far this time and Microsoft Word had betrayed him. The libelous article he had written using an alias against the now deposed CBN czar linking him to Boko Haram had been linked right back to him. How was he to know that these damn things had digital signatures?

Considering he is the special adviser on social media, he ought to have known this but he was so eager to blow off that pompous, whistle-blowing brat of a prince that he forgot the safety was off and now, he had a blown off foot. Worse still, he was not sure how his employer would react to this.

Damn!

It is amazing how the above stories are unconnectedly connected; unconnected because of the wide gulf of reality that exists for both people on the different divides and the realization of the connection that Abuja and Yobe are parts on the entity called Nigeria, the subject of celebration.

I half expected the President to call-off the shambolic celebration of mediocrity that Nigeria is but of course, I got to realize a long time ago that with President Jonathan, it is perilous to expect too much especially as it is well-known that he doesn't really "give a damn". Our flags ought to have been down at half-mast for at least a week; efforts to track down these insurgents ought to have intensified with different tactical approaches considered but no, the Centenary had been planned for far too long to be put off. The casks of wine and bottles of Champagne had to be drunk last night.

If we put it all into perspective, only a greatly delusional person will believe that this administration gives a hoot about Nigeria and Nigerians. How anyone can HONESTLY believe in a president who claims to know Boko Haram sponsors but keeps mute about it and allows innocent lives to be sacrificed on the altar of politics; a president who would think nothing of having his hired lackeys capitalize on the gruesome murder of innocent children to attack perceived political enemies; a president who protects at all costs a minister presiding over one of the greatest heists of our time and is a familiar bedfellow of corruption...the list of misdeeds is countless, is highly incomprehensible.

For the participants of the Centenary celebrations, una do well. How you can drink, eat and party to celebrate Nigeria's persistent failure to deliver security, leadership and elementary infrastructure to her citizens and not choke is truly amazing; especially in the wake of the recent killings. If you do not see anything wrong with what you all went to celebrate, then something is genuinely wrong with the world.

Malcolm O. Ifi.

Tuesday 14 January 2014

MISDIRECTION: THE MORE YOU LOOK, THE LESS YOU SEE.

Only this morning, I was embroiled in an argument about Nigeria's recent anti-same sex legislation. This is a very touchy topic especially between people of different opinions on the issue and as expected, the argument devolved from fact to personality attacks.

I have on numerous occasions given air to my opinion on the vexatious issue on my blogs, facebook and twitter accounts and I have gotten the vilest of biles for it. Still, it doesn't change a damn thing.

I steadfastly maintain that a society where homosexuality is viewed as normal and healthy is a dysfunctional one capable of endangering generations unborn. If we must condone homosexuality as the West tells us to, hell, let them condone polygamy, paedophilia and bestiality because the world has no right to tell a person who to love.

That being said, this is not an attempt in any way to commend the National Assembly for speedily passing the bill, or the Goodluck Jonathan administration for assenting to it. In fact, I am truly amazed at how quick it took for the bill to become law. Was it not only last year when the bill was first read in the Senate?

Remarkable!

The political class were obviously motivated for reasons best known to them. I don't know if this is as a result of the threat by the West some time last year to cease Foreign Aid to African countries that fail to embrace homosexuality as a way of life or whether there's another clandestine reason. I am only surprised that a dead-beat system can work this fast when the leaders are motivated.

In the mean time, I would like to ask what's up with the Petroleum Industry Bill...

No matter! What's done is done. However, I will commend our lawmakers and our president for their more awesome ability at performing magic tricks; notably, misdirection.

Nobody understands the psyche of the average Nigerian more than the Nigerian politician. The other group that comes close is our "men of God" but that is the topic of another day. Our politicians understands that the Nigerian masses are one big mob perpetually strung on  high doses of frenzy and guided by euphoria.

How does this Anti-Gay Law enhance development in Nigeria, or better her economy and the pathetic living standards of her people and more importantly, checkmate the awe-inspiring leviathan called corruption that bestrides our political space like a colossus? It doesn't!

I have seen the social media space lavish praises on Mr. President and the National Assembly for taking this indeed, bold step to criminalize same-sex relations. In the mass hysteria that has followed the US condemnation of this new law, we have failed to see this for what it really is; misdirection.

Only last year, the Minister for Aviation was in the news for purchasing two bullet-proof BMWs at outrageous prices in the wake of an airline disaster. More recently, it has come to light that our beloved minister did a "Toronto" on us. She hoodwinked this same Senate we praise now into believing she had a qualification she never had. In the midst of the outrage that followed, Stella Oduah, the Presidency and other "stakeholders" have maintained golden silence.

This is just one of many issues that has been swept under the carpet. The Nigerian masses have shown an insatiable hunger for sensationalism and instead of good roads, constant power, employment and better living conditions, prudence in governance and all that other good stuff, this is what we get; a new sensational topic to make us all forget the things that really matter.

I'm sure the Presidential Media team headed by the amiable Dr. Reuben Abati can now heave a sigh of relief as the attention of the mob has been momentarily diverted. Heck, maybe Stella Oduah can now take a ride in peace in her bullet-proof BMW and no one will notice...

Long live Nigeria!

Malcolm O. Ifi.

Malcolm tweets at @saymalcolm

Thursday 2 January 2014

THE POLITICS OF SENSATIONALISM OR CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM?

Hello all,

Happy 2014!

I apologize for my absence. It was due to circumstances beyond my control...well, not really, though. I just decided to stay away from politics for a while and focus on other things. Well, Malcolm the storyteller is back now and without further ado, to the matter on ground!

Yesterday, I saw a news report...no, a link rather by Sahara Reporters stating that Kenyans had ridiculed President Jonathan over the presidential fleet when he visited Kenya to take part in their just concluded Independence Day celebration. I didn't bother to click the link to see the video because there was no report attached.

However, I was surprised to see that the link had metamorphosed into a frenzy especially twitter. It all started with a tweet of the link by former FCT Minister and well known stalwart of the APC, Mallam Nasir El Rufai; a retweet by blogger Japheth Omojuwa and an unguarded, uncouth response by Presidential Media Spokesperson, Dr. Reuben Abati.

I was forced to visit the link as posted by SR and I was totally disappointed. In an obviously edited video of less than 15 seconds, I saw a woman who's identity is yet to be confirmed, allege that the President of Nigeria arrived Kenya with 7 private jets!

While such a farce may not be impossible, it raised serious issues in my head that ought to be considered quite seriously because of its far reaching consequences.  

Nigeria is at a crucial period of her democratic history considering the fact that she has had uninterrupted democracy in over a decade. Though the dividends of democracy are yet to trickle down to masses, there is still hope that it will.

However, it is pathetic that the only constant thing since the inception of the Fourth Republic is that Nigeria's international image has suffered massively. She is now known by the international community as the den of criminals; a view which has not been helped by the countless criminal escapades and roguery of past and present public officials.

More recently, the campaign of calumny managed by APC which hopes to unseat the ruling party PDP is something that should cause worry in the mind of any rational Nigerian. It is correct that PDP has failed woefully in its mandate to yield the dividends of democracy but is the APC going to be any better?

With the APC extending it's arms to the disgruntled and renegade members of PDP to fill up its ranks in a bid to snatch power from PDP at all costs, one is left to wonder what an APC future holds. A friend of mine made a comment last year that rang so true. He said, "Nigeria is a PDP nation. APC does not exist". Though the statement has a partisan tint to it, it cannot be further from the truth. APC is gradually becoming another acronym for PDP.

That is by the way side: rumours have been rife that the whistle-blowing Sahara Reporters is a contraption of the APC. While the veracity of that is yet to be ascertained, I am beginning to see them in a new light.

Until yesterday, I had the utmost respect for the online newspaper for the role it has played in bringing to light the unbelievable excesses of the public officers of this political dispensation, the most recent being the Stella Oduah Saga which in my opinion, is a masterpiece of investigative journalism.

However, the posting of the link without an attempt at verification smacks of partisan mischief which is no longer far-fetched. The Youtube link that appeared on SR's website with a sensational headline was totally devoid of a report affirming or denying the truthfulness of the allegations of the "Kenyan" woman.

The headline of course caught the attention of Nigerians and without any serious investigation, people jumped into conclusions that further castigated the already battered image of the Presidency. Poor Reuben Abati who must have been infuriated lost control of his emotions and tweeted a tactless statement most unbecoming of a presidential spokesman.

It is good to criticize a government that seems to be losing it's way but at what point do we draw the line between criticisms aimed at causing disaffection and constructive criticism? This is where I have a problem with APC. They only seem to be good at pointing fingers without offering suggestions as to solutions.

Nigeria belongs to all of us and as a result, we must all play our roles to ensure that somehow we achieve the Nigeria of our dreams. Achieving the dream will not be by the vehicle of baseless and antagonistic criticisms by constructive criticism. This report by SR is the kind that has the tendency to overheat the polity needlessly. The fact that we have a profligate government does not make right the attempts to spread evil rumours about it. We who seek change ought to know better.

Young Nigerians who have overrun the social media space in what is seen by many as an unprecendented political awakening lambast the FG government daily. I will not lie, I am one of them but I have learned to draw the line. Sadly, I have not seen any of the opposition Twitter activists applaud this administration for the significant reduction in the activities of the dreaded militant sect, Boko Haram which has in recent times, made holiday seasons an "explosive" one. The FG may be doing a lot of things wrong but it is still doing some things right.

The Nigerian government is viewed with disdain by the world for her notorious profligacy, that's bad enough. However, desperate attempts such as this current one by SR should be seen for what it is; a smear campaign. Pray tell, why didn't SR release the full clip so that we know the genesis of the allegation if it didn't have a pocket full of mischief?

I think it's high time Nigerians start to criticize constructively. For the social media crowd, it is a poor testament of self to latch hopelessly on the opinions of relevance-seeking politicians, influential social media activists and unverifiable, sensational news headlines. We must learn to form opinions based on clear logic rather than herd-mentality sentiments.

MOI.