50 years of corruption and poverty: The death penalty?

“If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich"

Late John F. Kennedy

The vast majority of Nigerians still view with horrendous shock the tragedy of underdevelopment still unfolding in Nigeria 50 years after independence. They have triangulated and catechized the contours and crevices of this Sisyphean albatross to no avail. It is only in Nigeria that the anathema and interdictory taboo of the "Cock crowing at Night" that is, vestigial and embryonic stagnation of our developmental metamorphosis still persists in the 21st Century. What a shame!
On the 14th January, 1960 the historic motion calling upon Her Majesty's Government to make arrangements for Nigeria to become independent on 1st October, 1960 was moved by the Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and seconded by Mr. Raymond Njoku, the then Minister of Transport. The text of the motion reads: "That this House authorizes the Government of the Federation of Nigeria to request Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom as soon as practicable to introduce legislation in the Parliament of the United Kingdom providing for the establishment of the Federation of Nigeria on October 1, 1960 as an independent Sovereign State.
And to request Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom at the appropriate time to support with the other members-governments of the Commonwealth, Nigeria's desire to become a member of the Commonwealth". It will be recalled, in this regard that the first motion calling upon the British Government to declare Nigeria an independent Sovereign State by 1956 was tabled by Chief Anthony Enahoro of the Action Group (AG) in 1953. In other words, it was the tabling by the Action Group (AG) through Chief Enahoro in 1953 of the motion for self-government that accelerated the process of Nigeria's attainment of independence.
After Independence in 1960 Nigerians sang sonorous hosanna and there was clamorous plaudit. But, little did we realize that it was a political threnody and our own nunc demittis. Nigeria continues to remain a horrible nation sunken in leadership gangsterism, kleptocracy, lootocracy and corybantic corruption. There are no existing adjectives to describe the level of poverty and despondent hopelessness of the Nigerian. There are no roads, no functioning health care delivery system, no houses, no schools, no light, no drinking water, no food and no transportation. Where they exist, they are beyond the financial reach of the ordinary Nigerian.
The political class and elites have legislated all our monies into their pockets, through a so-called PRIVATIZATION scheme and broad daylight larceny. Those patriotic Nigerians who committed their lives to hard-work, honesty and integrity are allowed to die disgracefully on queues as pensioners. The poor Nigerian situation is compounded by the hounding and hectoring by a Gestapo police, which luxuriate in killing those they are paid to protect. Afesiere, Zaki Ibiam, Ododegho and Odi are cases in point. There is no security as poverty and adventurism has turned our youths into an army of robbers, prostitutes, kidnappers, crooks, 419ers, thieves, political thugs, cultists and assassins etc. The Niger delta question, feudal Northern hegemonism, Igbo political cowardice, minority rights abuse, extra judicial killings, gender discrimination, legislators inertia, religious bigotry, PHCN's albatross and leadership subterfuge has left Nigeria groping helplessly and hopelessly on an uncharted sea without a compass.
Commenting on Nigeria's political, socio-economic dire straits in 1961, Chief Obafemi Awolowo said, "Let us rally round and save this nation from the pettiness and vindictiveness of politicians who are prepared to sacrifice national interest on the altar of political expediency". In an address to Congress in 1944, Franklin Roosevelt (1882-1945) said, “These unhappy times call for the building of plans that build from the bottom up, that put their faith once more in the forgotten man at the bottom of the economic pyramid”

The rebarbartive imprimatur and bright sunshine of generic developmental and economic bliss illuminates the lives of the vast majority of people in any nation with sound economic policies bereft of bad leadership and corruption. Economic prosperity, peace and progress are the quid pro quo which the people get in return for their commitment to the tenets of the 'Social Contract'. Hence, the economist Dr. E. Schumacher (1911-1977) posited in his book "Small is Beautiful" that, "call a thing immoral or ugly, soul-destroying or a degradation of man, a peril to the peace of the world or to the well-being of future generations as long as you have not shown it to be "Uneconomic" you have not really questioned its right to exist, grow and prosper"
We need no econometric synopsis and catechism to know that the egregiously cataleptic and corrupt disposition of the Nigerian Leadership at all levels right from 1960 till date has left the Nigerian Masses anaesthetized, indurated, castrated and asphyxiated by the scorching pangs of poverty. This is against the back drop of the fact that Nigeria is the sixth biggest producer of oil in the world. It has earned trillions of petro-dollars from 1956 when oil was first discovered in Oloibiri, Bayelsa State, till its commercialization in 1958. The economic strangulation of Nigerians has been pursued and still being pursued with robust gusto by the ruling class right from independence, so much so that it is now the fundamental objective and directive principles of state policy. The quintessential entrenchment of poverty in Nigeria has become our National anthem, pledge and Motto.
The Nigerian project and by extension the African agenda has been a still birth, a gridlock and a cliffhanger running in concentric circles because of the intravenous incapability of Nigeria to create a leadership focus. Existing statistical data shows that Nigeria is cascading down the horrendous economic quagmire of weird poverty. In 1970, then 10yrs after independence, Nigeria was ranked 37 in the world with per capital income of $1, 00 U.S. dollar. But today, 50years after independence Nigeria is ranked the second poorest country in the world with a yearly percentage income of $300 U.S dollars. Poverty in Nigeria is catalytically fueled by the bane of corruption which has become our national ethos. The political leadership is unrelenting and religiously devoted to the god of corruption. The trial of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, some state Governors in the Obasanjo Junta, Directors of Corporations, Ministers and Commissioners etc is now being manipulated by the Machiavellian antics of the PDP. They are all sacred cows. The PDP syndicate has rendered the EFCC, ICPC and CCB etc impotent through the spider web of judicial intrigues. Nigerians are consigned to the ineluctable fate of dreadful poverty and economic objurgation.

The exigently execrable hands of corruption will definitely accentuate the penumbra of darkness over shadowing our nation. The case of the recidivist and irredeemably criminal politicians is so unthinkably bad that we hope that their inability to learn from the lessons of history will not take the hands of our political clock backwards to the road to Yugoslavia and the Hobbesian state of nature manifested in military coups, youth restiveness, communal clashes, riots, political unrest, religious schism, secession and the Rawlings-like killing of the past and present leaders. The Late President Musa Umaru Yar’Adua of Nigeria was a pariah president who won an election through the rapacious and buccaneering pillaging of votes co-ordinated and sponsored by Professor IWU's INEC. The Wild, Wild West, and the Niger delta imbroglio continue to anathemise our nation whilst poverty and corruption continues to decimate our people.
At 50 we need no political clairvoyant and ritualistic necromancer sunken in prophetic evocations and possessed by the rhomboidal schmaltzy to know that the Nigerian nation is gallivanting and junketing in the cauldron of self destruct, and like a chicken whose head has been cut off: it may run about in a lively way, but in fact it is dead. Nigeria is clinically nuanced in a cadaverous morgue and it can only be brought back to life through a Lazarus-like miracle. It needs an economic revolution, moral rearmament, social reinvention, leadership ablution, religious repositioning and political renaissance to rekindle it back to life. Otherwise, all the laudably lofty ideas of NEPAD, SEEDS, NEEDS, PRIVATlZATlON. CURRENCY REDENOMINATlON, MICRO AND MACRO FINANCING THROUGH SMES, NIGER DELTA MASTER PLAN, DESOPADEC, AGRONOMY, COMMUNICATION, EDUCATION, POWER DISTRIBUTION, WATER PROJECT, ROAD CONSTRUCTION, HOUSING AND MEDICAL PROJECTS will continue to be a tale told by an idiot full of sound and fury signifying nothing.
The challenges of the time and the quantifiable targets for government are captured in the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). MDG represents a global agreement setting out key standards that nations should achieve by 2015. The goals include the following: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, achieve Universal Primary Education, promote gender equality and empower women, reduce child mortality, improve maternal health, combat HIV/ AIDS and other diseases, ensure environmental sustainability and develop a global partnership for development. All these sound like cryptogrammised hieroglyphics to the Nigerian Government. The so- called drive to make Nigeria one of the twenty (20) most developed economies in the year 2020 remains a mirage. Whither goeth Nigeria in the throes of teratoid corruption after 50 years of independence? We cannot make palpable developmental strides without killing the monster of corruption.
Finally, the Nigerian nation will continue to steeple chase in the crepuscular crevices of backwardness unless the monster of corruption is given a gruesomely lethal blow through the introduction of the "DEATH PENALTY" for corrupt misdemeanors. The legal logistics could be worked out. Nigeria cannot make meaningful economic progress unless we rededicate ourselves to the nuts and bolts of nation building. The grotesque salamander-like assassinations, kidnapping, armed robbery, suicide and the unpatriotic characteristics of the Nigerian will continue to be on the ascendancy unless there is an economic exorcism to deracinate the Nigerian nation from the wicked incubus of poverty. This must be the Holy Grail of our march to nationhood. A word is enough for the wise. A TIME FOR SOBER REFLECTION.

Bobson Gbinije
Bogep Oils LTD
Warri.

Miss Fresh

Issele-uku born Chioma Nonye Nwasonye, a 21 year old final year student of Geography and Regional Planning from Delta State University radiates a true definition of beauty and what a model represents. This Aniocha North local government area indigene who is a fan of English Champions, Chelsea football club of England is our Miss Fresh for this month.

Unlike some of her peers who will go for pink as favourite colour, pretty and smart looking Chioma prefers sky blue as her favourite colour and loves pounded yam and egusi soup with meat more than any other delicacy. This 5ft 4inches tall beauty and brain weighs 56kg and will be highly disposed to any modeling deal that has to do with product or event marketing. Her favourite music is R&B, while her best male and female artistes are Jason Derulo and Rihanna. Chioma loves people with carriage, good character and courtesy, while she detests deceitful, pretentious and lying people.

Our Miss Fresh prefers a casual dress combination because it makes her free and comfortable.

Her Horoscope is Aquarius due to her February 13th birth date and she is a practicing Christian. During her leisure, she listens to music and watch TV with foreign as well as local series being her top choice TV programme.

She can be reached on email: cnnwasonye@yahoo.com and on GSM: 08066751742

Nigeria police face N1billion suit over killing of two brothers in Uvwie

By: Omonigho Matthew & Arinze….
From: Udu

The Forum of Justice and Human Rights Defense is set to file a suit of one billion naira against the police patrol team in Ekpan over the dastardly killing of two brothers, Collins Ese Onaodowan, a 25year old Corper serving in Gombe State and his younger brother of 23years, Owen Onaodowan.

The brutal incident according to the National Coordinator of the Forum for Justice and Human Right Defense, Barr. Oghenejabor Ikimi took place Monday August 16, 2010.

Barr. Oghenejabor Ikimi who spoke during a press briefing held at Peabody Hotel in Udu near Warri, alleged that on Thursday the 19th day of August 2010, one Mr. Kelvin Onaodowan and his family members came to the office to report a case of the dastard murder of his two brothers, Collins Ese Onaodowan who had just completed his NYSC Orientation at Gombe State and Owen Onaodowan by the police patrol team in Ekpan, Uvwie local government area of Delta State.

He alleged that the two boys left their mother at home at about 8pm to watch a football match between Manchester United and Newcastle. On reaching their aunt’s place at 41 Okorotobo Street they discovered she was not connected to the live transmission, they later went to a viewing centre at Okotoba Street, while they were going, their elder brother, a Chelsea fan who is lucky to be alive today decided he was not going to watch the match any longer. He then left at that point and returned home. At about 10pm that night, Kelvin got a call from a church member that men of the Nigerian Army manning the Power Holding Company substation had arrested his brothers.

He immediately alerted his sisters and parents and they all left their Alaka residence to the PHCN substation where they saw their brothers’ stripped nude. As the father was trying to explain to the police who they were, one of the policemen who led the team, popularly addressed as Dogo allegedly used the gun to hit the mouth of father of the two brothers, Mr. Augustine Onoadowan and his teeth fell out of his mouth. Prior to this time, the Corper had reportedly identified himself with his NYSC identity card, badge and boot on him. As if that was not enough the boys went into the police van voluntarily without coercion and they drove off. Kelvin their elder brother alongside one of their cousin, Clementina followed them to the police station in Ekpan. But when the police went violent they had to leave their brothers.

Barr. Ikimi also alleged that when they asked about the lifeless body of the two brothers, the D.P.O confirmed to him that they have been buried.

He said the Forum for Justice and Human Rights Defense had to call the press conference to alert the Nigerian populace. “We call on other human right groups in Nigeria to unite with us to condemn the dastardly killing of Collins Ese Onaodowan, a youth Corper serving in Gombe State and Owen Onaodowan by the police patrol team in Ekpan to be specific and their subsequent burial”. According to the human right activist, this goes to show that the police acted as investigators, prosecutors, judge and the prosecution.

He called on the Inspector General of Police to look critically into the matter, adding that the Forum of Justice and Human Rights Defense will take the case beyond Nigeria up to the United Nations. Fresh Angle can report that the legal department of the forum has vowed to take the matter to court, stressing that they will not rest on their oars until those responsible face the full wrath of the law.

Barr. Ikimi explained that when he called the Divisional Police Officer, Muaza Mohammed, he said the two brothers were armed robbers, claiming that they died due to the beating they got from the soldiers and on their way to the hospital.

Father of the two deceased, Mr. Augustine Onaodowan described the soldiers as disciplined personnel, having held his children and delayed them without injury to anyone of them. But the act of the police, he said is barbaric. In his words, “the police who are supposed to ensure that the law is carried out to the fullest are now the ones flouting the law without carrying out any investigation on the youth Corper who was even with his identity card, badge and boot on him that night of 16th August 2010.

He said the police threatened to shoot him before teeth were removed from his mouth with a gun. He testified that his children had not gotten any incidence with the police prior to their unfortunate death. He also claimed that his cousin went with him to approach the police but was threatened. So he stepped aside and in their presence, the children entered the police van without anyone aiding them straight to the police station at Ekpan.

He continued “we followed them from behind, because we wanted to be sure we know where they were going to. So we had to leave and follow up the matter the following morning. Only for us to go there the following morning and met the absence of the Divisional Police Officer. We looked at the canter and charge book but they were not there”. He said as they were about going out, his uncle, Chief Steven Onaodowan who knows the D.P.O approached him and was told that the boys were seriously bruised so he had to order his men to take them to the hospital. “We were confused and had to go to the Army Command and met the Intelligent Officer who told us that his men told him that the boys were handed over to the police. They claimed that they were armed robbery suspects. But at the time we got there, there was no gun or bullet with them”. He said the story he heard from the soldiers was that the four boys came there from a robbery incident and that one was putting on coat and the other wearing something he didn’t understand and in the process a soldier man was shot in his lap and Collins Onaodowan and Owen Onaodowan were suspected to be one of them.

Mr. Augustine Onaodowan said at about 4pm they went back to the Divisional Police Officer who admitted that he ordered his men to take them to the hospital. The D.P.O allegedly confirmed to him that the boys were killed at night and were buried. He said the D.P.O puts it this way, “I cannot continue to deceive you, these boys were killed, last night and they have been buried”, continuing, Mr. Augustine Onaodowan and his uncle demanded for the dead bodies of the boys. Again, he said they have been buried without any permission or investigation.

He named the particular police who pulled his teeth with gun as “Dogo”, claiming he is the one who led the team of policemen that night from Ekpan. He also said that he wants the policemen responsible to face the full wrath of the law.

Meanwhile, a cross section of parliamentarians who also spoke with our Correspondent said the National Youth Service Corp should file a suit alongside the Forum for Justice and Human Right Defense against the police in Ekpan, their reason was that the NYSC should learn to take the lives of its members seriously, while a few Manchester fans said if they have their way they will like to file a separate suit against the police in Ekpan to ensure they are brought to book.

Ikuogwu emerges new chairman of Warri Correspondence Chapel of NUJ • Defeats opposition with 3 votes

By: Omonigho Matthew
From: Warri


Comrade Michael Ikuogwu of Pointer Newspaper has emerged the new chairman of Nigerian Union of Journalist, Warri Correspondence Chapel.

Out of the 29 accredited voters, the NUJ electoral committee disqualified Comrade Patrick Uzoyi Peters on technical grounds leaving 28 eligible voters to vote for candidates of their choice.

Another undisclosed name was also disqualified by the electoral committee for excessive cancellation of the voters’ form. Out of the remaining 27, Comrade Michael Ikuogwu pulled 15 votes while Mr. Idowu Sylvester of Tribune Newspaper pulled 12 votes.

Other candidates who returned unopposed are Mr. Chido Okafor of Guardian Newspaper as Vice Chairman and Mr. Dennis Otu of Pointer Newspaper as Secretary.

Comrade Michael Ikuogwu who spoke with our correspondent expressed happiness and dedicated the victory to God Almighty.
Comrade Ikuogwu said part of the problems he encountered before the election was that of stiff opposition. The new NUJ helmsman told Fresh Angle that he has put the opposition he faced behind him. He revealed that his greatest rival was his colleague, Mr. Dennis Otu who initially intended contesting the same position before “he later stepped down for somebody”.

He promised to carry everyone along in his administration to ensure that the Nigerian Union of Journalist Warri Chapel move forward, adding that he cannot do it alone.

To politicians he said, they have to draw a lesson for 2011 election from the transparent manner in which the Nigerian Union of Journalist, Warri Chapel’s election was conducted irrespective of the fact that there were stiff oppositions.

The immediate past NUJ Secretary, said that his administration hopes to ensure the security of lives of Journalists in Warri in the 2011 general elections by collaborating with the police, state security services and other security agencies within their jurisdiction, vowing that whatever he can do to enhance the welfare of Journalists he will.

Meanwhile some anti-Comrade Michael Ikuogwu forces have said that they are going to put up a petition, claiming that everything about the election and his victory were unconstitutional.

Efforts to speak with Mr. Sylvester Idowu of Tribune Newspaper as at press time were futile.

Gunmen kill timber dealer in Oghara

By: Celestine Ukah

Tragedy struck in Oghara recently when resident of Oghara junction woke up to see one of their own and popularly timber dealer known as Okwedo shot dead by suspected assassins who came in a saloon car at Sakponba road.

An eye witness said the victim was called on phone to provide diesel to some of the vehicles that usually conveyed Okwedo’s timbers, while others claimed it is connected to business partners involving money transactions.

Preliminary investigations are on as the police have since swung into action.

Unconfirmed report claimed that the culprits were same day found somewhere at Mosogar but was later discovered that those apprehended were not killers.

Fresh Angle also gathered that the police station at Oghara was damaged by angry mob, some of whom were later arrested and taken to Asaba for further interrogations.

SEPTEMBER 16 - OCTOBER 16 EDITION

No going back on Governor Uduaghan in 2011 – Okudolor

Chief Vincent Jackson Okudolor epitomizes what a grassroots politician should be, apart from exerting absolute control of his immediate community and ward, Chief Vincent Okudolor interfaces perfectly with people of Warri South I and II constituencies.

In this no bar interview with our Editor-in-Chief, Ebule Anthony, the Warri South II House of Assembly hopeful bare his mind on the chances of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan in the 2011 gubernatorial poll in Delta State as well as his resolve to lay claim to the Warri South Constituency II Seat in Delta State House of Assembly come 2011.

Excerpt:


You recently hosted a large gathering of PDP faithfuls and loyalists in your Ekurede Urhobo country home, what was it all about?

Thanks for that question! Let me use this medium to put the records straight. The purpose is to strengthen our familiarity and to show the world that all of us in Warri South, no matter the tribe and colour are one. It is also to remind our teeming followers and youths that it’s time to continue the fight that produced both Chief James Ibori as Governor and our incumbent Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan. If you would recall vividly, at the gathering, I told the cross section of Warri youths that by Uduaghan we stand no matter the odds and as far as I’m concerned it’s no going back on Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s return in 2011!

Let’s leave Dr. Uduaghan’s gubernatorial ambition and zero in on your House of Assembly aspiration. Do you really think you have a good chance, considering the caliber of other aspirants?

Well, I would rather not bother about other aspirants jostling for the Warri South Constituency II Seat. My focus is primarily on my aspiration which is people centered. You will agree with me that from what you saw when I hosted PDP faithfuls and loyalists at my residence, my popularity and acceptance is not in doubt. The fact that the new song of internal democracy which lays emphasis on one man, one vote will come to play in the party primaries give every aspirant equal opportunity to test his or her popularity no matter the status of that individual.

In-spite of your optimism, a lot of people out there believe that aspirants like you are not really serious in contesting, what’s your take on that?

We are in a free world, particularly in a democratic dispensation that we find ourselves, so every individual is entitled to their opinion. But I must note here that I have never been known to joke with anything I get involved in and it will be foolhardy for me to enjoy such popularity, spend so much money and time on my aspiration yet a few still see me as unserious.

I must however note here that in as much as my aspiration is well on course, I will humbly respect the decision of my party at the end of the primaries.

There are speculations that aspirants like you are being denied party registration, how true is that?

I don’t know where such speculations are coming from, but let me make it clear here that I am a well recognized PDP member with strong base, hence I will admonish all those spreading such rumour who I see as detractors to desist forthwith.

Why is it that all of you aspiring for different positions in the state are vying under the PDP platform?

Simple! There is no other political party in Delta State. Even all those claiming to be opposition are singing the PDP song, what that means is that there is no other party on ground in Delta State.




If given the mandate, what form of representation should the people of Warri South II Constituency expect from you?

Let me start by thanking you for that question. I will not like to bore you with long talk, but one confidence I have is that everyone in my constituency will be carried along if given the electoral mandate. My representation will be people centered, by this I mean that I will ensure regular consultation with people and all stakeholders of my constituency. Whatever bill I’ll sponsor in the floor of the House will not be my idea alone, but the collective will of people of Warri South II Constituency. Rather than encourage conflict with the executive, my representation will strive towards a workable synergy between the executive and the legislature that will bring about all round development to all ethnic groups in Delta State.

What’s your message to Deltans in general and people of Warri South II Constituency in particular?

Let’s continue to support the administration of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and give him our vote in 2011 to enable him consolidate on the achievements so far recorded via his 3 point agenda. My sincere appeal to people of Warri South II Constituency is to always remain behind the governor and give me their mandate in both the PDP primaries and the election proper in 2011.

Thanks for your time

You are welcome!