Front Pix
Haba! Baba OBJ
Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo is a study in statesmanship, political brinkmanship, adept traditionalism, vitriolic yet salutory oratory and sometimes, unsettling candour. He is perhaps the only Nigerian who may ever rule Nigeria twice, first as military head of state and only recently, two-term president.
By my reckoning, only three desires have eluded him in his quest to break all political records concerning power and politics: These are being President for 12 consecutive years or at least a little longer than eight years; failure of his party to win Lagos State and Life Chairmanship of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),. All others, he desired, he got.
In 1999, for instance when he was first elected President, he did so without the support of his immediate kith and kin – the Yoruba States, all of which voted for the Alliance for Democracy (AD). In several respects, it presented Obasanjo either as a statesman who’s above ethnic politics, a detribalized Nigerian with immense national acceptance or simply an example of “charity beginning abroad.” The first two may be most likely, but nearly four year later, Obasanjo apparently proved many wrong when, he showed that there was no place better than home, And that living perpetually off one’s home even in politics, amounted to being either in self-exile or political asylum in some strange land.
For fear of that, Obasanjo sought to and succeeded in claiming his immediate political base, except Lagos State, where, a ‘troublesome’ Bola Tinubu dashed his dream of 100 percent success.
As it was in the West, OBJ, as leader of his party and President and Commander in Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria towered the nation’s political landscape like a colossus, deciding who got what. In nearly all cases, he had his way.
For instance, after the governorship primary elections were duly held by the PDP in Rivers State and a flag bearer chosen in the mould of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the ‘gbate fate of Nigeria’ (an Ijaw coinage meaning one whose word is law) decided otherwise. Flagging off the South-South geo-political zone’s governorship campaign in Port Harcourt, and which, as planned peaked with the presentation of flags to the party’s armour bearers, OBJ told a shocked rally that the Rivers flag bearer would receive no flag, because according to him, the outcome of the primaries and issues which arose therefrom had, in his exact words “K-leg’ which needed to be straightened. There too, OBJ had his way, and accepted Sir Celestine Omehia as flagbearer, even if the man had no reason to buy the Governorship form, and so didn’t, instead of Rotimi Amaechi who did and won.
Again, only a stubborn Judiciary over-turned his decision, albeit months later, after his allowed eight years in the saddle, the next four or even two having been denied by another set of ‘stubborn’ National Assembly members, who, like OBJ, suddenly became too statesmanly and nationalistic.
Obasanjo’s next desire was to have in office as President, then Katsina State Governor Umaru Musa Yar’Adua who, months earlier had undergone a successful kidney transplant, at least, so OBJ said, and should naturally need a long rest far away from the familiar heartaches of Nigerian politics and power intrigues’.
But no, OBJ launched a robust campaign, with a vow that his party would win the Presidency, “at all cost”, an allusion which Obasanjo apologists repeatedly refuted without success against ready recordings by stubborn news hounds. So determined, when, in the wake of the campaigns, Yar’Adua’s health became a concern to many, OBJ, it was who organized a televised telephone conversation with the ailing candidate Yar’Adua, and later told Nigerians that the ‘President-in-waiting’ was hail and hearty, safe and sound, assuring that the campaigns would continue afterwards with the flag-bearer leading.
Again, OBJ got what he wanted as he introduced the duo of Yar’Adua and Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, now Vice President, to Nigerians at every stop, zone after zone and state after state, with a flawless oratory grounded in ancient Yoruba language and near frequently laced with disturbing diatribe against opposing political parties.
In the end, Yar’Adua became President, and Jonathan, his vice, in an election which was roundly criticised even by Yar’Adua himself, but in clear fulfillment of OBJ’s whims. However, within he limits of available resources, competing national and international challenges and more importantly, life threatening health concerns to contend with, Mr. President had tarried on well.
Now, there is a repeat the same debate over whether or not President Yar’Adua was healthy enough to be president in the first place or now, strong enough to remain President and if not, whether or not the Vice President Goodluck Jonathan should be sworn-in as President.
In all these, OBJ kept a studied silence until last week, when at a media forum in Lagos, the chairman, BOT of the President’s party said: “Yar’Adua should toe the path of honour, if he feels incapable of performing his duties as President.” Not only that, he went further to deny knowledge of Yar’Adua’s pre-election medical condition except that, “I learnt that as governor of Katsina State, he had a successful kidney transplant. Haba! Baba! Should we believe that?
Sadly enough, the former President’s comments came at a time, when, unable to contain the growing protests against the President’s long absence, the PDP was slaving to assure Nigerians that the President was out of hospital, even if they didn’t say where he was and how much longer Nigerians must wait in limbo.
Obasanjo, methinks should know, that the so-called BBC interview with the ailing President was not as effective as the televised telephone interview he had with candidate Yar’Adua on National Television. That being so, one would have expected the BOT chairman to visit his successor; talk with his doctors and with him personally; know his state and advise him on what steps to follow thereafter.
This is because, asking an ailing President to take the kind of decision OBJ willed he took, is a tall order, without good knowledge of the President’s medical condition. How, for instance, can anyone battling to save own life decide whether to resign or hand-over to a vice? What if the ailment is such that is beyond the ailing President’s consciousness and strength.
Instead, OBJ should have liaised properly with his party leadership, the National Assembly, the BOT, the Presidency and indeed the President’s physicians with a view to coming up with a decision hat would halt the shameful politicking with the President’s ill-health.
My Agony is that OBJ’s comments depict political distance from the power source and that makes me fear that my view on him may also be a tall order. However, let it be said and known that while, we join all well-meaning Nigerians, particularly, the President’s family to pray for his quick recovery, now is the time to end the many rumours concerning Yar’Adua’s health and take the bold and honourable step as OBJ implied-swear-in Goodluck Jonathan as Acting President. Even while, we continue to pray. Isn’t that the path of Honour, OBJ mused about?
Front Pix
DEPLOY YOUR CAPACITY, TECHNICAL KNOWHOW TO REVITALISE SONGHAI FARMS, FUBARA TELLS TASK FORCE
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that diversifying the economy of the State has become inevitable because of the need to solve the problem of food shortages while also providing jobs for the teeming unemployed youths.
These, he said, are the reasons why great care has been taken to critically look at the prospects of revitalising the Songhai Integrated Farms, which is located in Bunu Tai, in Tai Local Government Area of the State.
Governor Fubara insisted that if the problem associated with food shortages is tackled with good intent and purpose, about 40 to 50 percent of current problems of economic hardship plaguing the country and its people would have been solved.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Chairman, Mr Biedima Oliver, and members of the task force saddled with the responsibility of supervising the revitalization of Songhai Integrated Farms by its partners: Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Other members of the task force included, the Rivers State Commissioner for Agriculture, Engr Victor Kii; Commissioner for Finance, Barrister Emmanuel Frank-Fubara; Dr Ayebaesin Beredugo; and Mr Maurice Ogolo.
The Governor explained that it took him time to approve the constitution of the task force being inaugurated because of the ugly experience with the previous group that shown such interest.
Governor Fubara stated that a process was initiated and driven halfway into the handing over of Songhai Farms on concession to an interested partner who latter showed a total lack of the needed capacity to undertake such task.
He said, “As a matter of fact, if few of you could remember, we even conceded the place to an investor who came in after he had made his presentation, and we, believing that he has the capacity, we said okay to him, and we had already signed up.
“But something happened. He came back to tell us that he wanted us to give him a N5billion bank guarantee. We then asked him, why? If we have the N5billion, why do we need you to come and even revitalize Songhai Farms? We would have put that N5billion there ourselves. For that reason, we cancelled that arrangement.”
Governor Fubara said now that two separate companies have come together to indicate interest and given the assurance of having the needed capacity to drive the process, he is delighted to see them meeting that expectation.
Governor Fubara pointed to the expectation of the people who want to see the Songhai Farms back on stream on a sustainable basis.
That expectation, he insisted, is also what his administration wants to see actualised within its lifespan.
He noted, “We want to see food sufficiency, because we know when Songhai Farms comes on board, there will be food, which is one of the problems we are having in this country. If we are able to tackle the issue of food, 40 to 50 percent of our problem will be solved.”
Governor Fubara also stated that although he believes in the presentation made by the group and has taken their assurance to heart, but warned that he would not tolerate a repeat of what happened before.
The Governor said, “I hope your story will not be (end) halfway too. I hope you have the capacity and all the technical knowhow to handle it. It is not when we start now, after we had finished inaugurating the task force, you will come back to tell us that you need $2million. If we have $2million, we won’t need you. We will invest it by ourselves.”
Governor Fubara, however, praised the capacity of the Chairman of the task force, Biedima Oliver, saying that incidentally, he was one of the personnel that convinced the then administration to develop the Songhai Farms, and had worked with the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) to manage the project.
He said, “He knows and understands the workings of Songhai, and now that we are making you the chairman of the task force, we want to believe that you will make that place come back to life.
“I don’t have any doubt in your capacity. A few things you’ve touched, you turned them to gold. Please, bring it back to what we used to see in Songhai. Bring it back with the help of your committee.”
Governor Fubara assured that his administration will remain committed to providing all the necessary support that they may require to make their assignment a success.
He added, “So, I hereby inaugurate you. Your task is very simple: Do everything within your powers and with our support to make sure that Songhai becomes operational to the benefit, not just the people of Tai, but to the entire Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole”.
In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the Task Force to Supervise the Revitalization of Songhai Farms with Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, Mr. Biedima Oliver, expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for the opportunity and confidence reposed in them to revive Songhai Farms.
Mr. Oliver assured that they will deliver the expected goal on Songhai Farms, and doing so on time and on target so that the good people of Rivers State can eventually be happy and also benefit from the huge investment.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that all the policies and programmes of his administration are tailored towards the protection of interest of Rivers people, especially the youths.
This, he said, is borne out of the importance his administration attaches to youths’ development and empowerment as leaders of tomorrow.
Fubara, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, disclosed this when he received the youths of Emohua Local Government Area under the auspices of “Emohua Youths For SIM” on solidarity visit to Government House, Port Harcourt, last Friday.
He said that his administration has put in place modalities that will boost the livelihoods and well-being of Rivers citizens, which youths of Emohua will also benefit when they materialise.
The governor, who spoke through the Rivers State Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, pointed out that the recently awarded Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku Road, the ongoing Emohua-Kalabari Road, reinstatement of illegally sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Area and the approval for electrification of the area, are part of deliberate measures to open up the area to make life conducive and more meaningful for the people.
According to him, “Everything about the governor is putting the interest of Rivers State first. He is looking at and taking action on those things that we need to do to restart the wheels of progress in Rivers State.
“There are many things the governor has planned and is already doing that will boost the life and welfare of every citizen of Rivers State, but most importantly the youths.
“Growing up, I learnt that Egbeda is one of the biggest communities in the whole of Ikwerre, and it’s predominantly an agrarian community. They have food in Egbeda, they have food in Ubimini, they have food in Omudiaga and other natural resources. The whole world is tilting to agriculture, and this is the way to go.
“The Elele-Umudioga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Omoku road, when completed, will open up the area for real development. Your food and everything you produce there will now have value, they will no longer be thrown away. In all these, you the youths are going to be the utmost beneficiaries.”
He added, “Same will be applicable to the Emohua-Kalabari Road which will also, trigger development in the area, and you will be the greatest beneficiaries. When the LGA is also electrified, you will be having 24 or 20 hours of electricity, and those things the youths can do with electricity, you can stay at home and create wealth for yourself and children.
“All the totality of what the governor is doing, when they are completed, or even as some are completed now, the youths are going to be utmost beneficiaries.”
While acknowledging that youths are the true leaders of tomorrow and any government that fails to carry them along in the scheme of things is doomed to fail, the governor assured them of his administration’s commitment to always address issues concerning youths and ensure that they are part of his government.
He commended the youths for toeing the path of truth by identifying with his administration, urging them to sustain the tempo and shun evil, as his government will ensure that the trend whereby politicians turn youths to beggars are over.
He said, “Youths are, indeed, the leaders of tomorrow. The time of youth is a very important time. It a time that your parents or whoever is your leader at that time have to make the greatest investment in you. And any Government that decides to only carry the elderly, chiefs aling and abandon the youths is bound to fail,” he asserted.
“But I am happy that Governor Fubara has concentrated his energy on everything that will benefit the society, especially the youths.
“And based on these, I want to thank you for recognising what is good and calling it good, for shunning what is evil, for saying the Governor is standing for you.
“Let me tell you, you are on the right direction. Let me tell you again, Rivers State is the bride of Nigeria. The whole Nigeria is looking at what will happen here. As they look here and see you standing on the path of truth, this is a very important step that you have taken to right all the wrongs of the past, to make Rivers State stand on the tripod of justice, peace and security. That is what we are going to gain through the governor, taking all the wise actions that he has already initiated.
“The projects the governor is embarking on are meant to prepare nets for the youths to fish and put food on their table, hence you should continue to follow him.
“The SIMplified Movement brought upon by the governor will ensure that Rivers youths stop the habit of going to bow down before politicians, pledging loyalty before they can eat.”
Earlier, spokesman for the Emohua Youths for SIM, Comrade Ovamale O. Ovamale, had said that the visit by youths from the 14 political wards in Emohua Local Government Area was to thank the governor for the award of the Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku road, the approval for electrification of the area and reinstatement of sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Council, of which the youths were mostly affected.
According to him, “Siminalayi Fubara of recent has given Emohua Local Government road that links Elele to Omoku, which comprises over four communities in the local government.”
“Emohua Local Government has also been in darkness for eight years. No community in the local government that has light. But, of recent, because of the passion and love the governor has for the people of Emohua, he has approved the electrification of the local government.
“Also, the illegal sack of Emohua Local Government workers, for which the youths were mostly affected and without the approval of the Local Government Service Commission, the governor, in his compassionate nature, has reinstated them, and that is why we said we must come and thank His Excellency”, he said.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.
