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Common Ground, So Elusive …Of Parties’Mudslinging, Bad Mouthing
One of the best attributes of a responsible political party is its ability to properly educate the citizenry on alternative ways of solving national problems. While the party in power may rationalize its actions and claim successes in various sectors, the opposing party or parties must tirelessly find better alternatives to burning issues they believe are not properly addressed by government.
In this regard, parties can disagree without necessarily being disagreeable. They can criticize constructively without necessarily employing foul language and campaigns of calumny. More importantly, they must be reasonable enough to achieve common ground on areas of national interest, particularly security and Health.
But the ever increasing bitterness demonstrated by political parties in Nigeria today makes such compromise most elusive. Infact, even well-known national achievements are underminded for political reasons while no serious thought is given to the dire consequences of a possible collapse of national security. To some politicians, everything is politics and whatever it takes to pull the other down, is okay.
Two instances will tell the story better.
One is the successful containment of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and the other, is the killing or non-killing of the Head of the terrorist group, Boko Haram, simply called Abubakar Shekau. Both issues ought to test the level of the average politician’s love for country, membership of different political parties, regardless.
On October 3, 2014, media reports had it that with the last patient under surveillance for Ebola completing the mandatory 21-day monitoring period, October 2nd, 2014, the United States centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had said that Nigeria should be declared Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) free.
A report on Nigeria’s response to the outbreak, which appeared in a September 30 early release issue of the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), noted that Nigeria’s success story was due to her strong emergency operations centre and Polio eradication experience.
According the report, “…There have been no new cases since August 31 and the last three patient contacts will exit their 21-day follow-up on October 2 – strongly suggesting that the out-break in Nigeria has been contained”.
The report said Nigeria’s decision to use the emergency operations’ centre to respond to the Ebola outbreak resulted in a repid, effective and coordinated response.
The CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) further described how Nigeria contained the virus. It reads: “The Ebola outbreak in Nigeria appears nearing a possible end due to a rapid response coordinated by Nigeria’s Emergency Operations Centre with assistance from international partners, including the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.
The official end to Ebola outbreak comes when two of the 21-day incubation periods for the Ebola Virus have elapsed without any new case.
“During the outbreak, there were 19 laboratory confirmed and one probable Ebola cases in two Nigerian States ( -Lagos and Rivers) Nearly 900 patient contacts were identified and followed; all but three have completed 21 days follow up period without Ebola Symptoms.
“There have been no new case since August 31, and the last three patient contacts will exit the 21-day follow-up on October 2, strongly suggesting the outbreak in Nigeria has been contained”.It further said.
The report gave credit to Nigeria not the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Congress (APC) or any other, party, for that matter. Infact, the Ebola containment success was one of the most positive reports on the country and should have united the political class in love for country.
The success was, without doubt, a result of positive coordination and collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Health and those of the affected states, Infact, on a near daily basis, the Ministers of Health and Information briefed the media of challenges and successes and treated the Ebola outbreak as a national emergency.
On a non-partisan basis, the PDP-controlled Federal government and the APC-controlled governments of Lagos and Rivers collaborated effectively with additional financial support from the centre to the affected states.
It was, for once, the actualization of the most elusive common ground in addressing national issues, as professionals from the affected parties left behind their differences to fight a common course.
In the end, the credit goes to both the Federal and affected state governments. It was indeed a victory for Nigeria. But as President and Commander-In-Chief on whose shoulders lies success or failure of the country rests, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan did not err by claiming the country’s success, just as he would have been blamed for failure.
That is why it is hard to farthom how such claim should generate bad mouthing by opposition politicians.
Infact, the image-maker of APC, Lai Mohammed faulted President Jonathan on grounds that he was claiming the success recorded by APC – controlled states, while at the same time conceding the proactive steps of the Health Minister, Dr. Onyebuchi Chukwu, describing them as unlike the PDP-led Federal Government’s.
In the same vein, when the Rivers State government announced the first case of Ebola, through the state’s Health Commissioner, Dr. Sampson Parker, the State PDP described the announcement as political Ebola. They went to the extent of accusing the state government of concocting the news only to dissuade would-be participants of the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) rally billed for the State capital.
If the citizenry had believed the PDP position, containment of the EVD in Rivers state would have been most challenging. All in the name of politics.
Another issue is the killing or otherwise of the Boko Haram main master-mind Abubakar Shekau. In late September, this year, the Director of Defence Information Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade said during a news conference in Abuja that Shekau had been killed and the body of the insurgents’ leader was identified by the people of Kodunga.
Olukolade illustrated the Defence Authority’s claim with pictures of the bullet-ridden body with Shekau’s semblance and a video of the battle in which he was killed. He said Shekau whose real name was Mohammed Bashir had used other names like Abacha Abdullahi Geidam and Damasack.
The Nigerian Military had in the previous week, said that Shekau had long been killed and that a man who had been posing as the group’s leader in the videos had also been killed after fighting with troops in far North East.
That message came with a measured skepticism to the heavily politicised media.
But as soon as a video clip emerged from only God knew where, ostensibly by the ‘late’ Shekau, saying that ‘he was alive’, the media that did not see the Shekau directly during the shooting of the said video, screamed in headline after headline: Shekau Still Alive, while some said, Shekau says He’s Alive.
How sure are they that Shekau indeed said so, since there was no indication of where or when the 36-minute video was shot. But it showed either Shekau or his look-alike in combat fatigues and black rubber boots, standing on the back of a pick-up truck and firing an anti-aircraft gun into the air.
Standing in front of three camouflaged vans and flanked by four heavily armed, masked fighters, he then speaks for 16 minutes in Arabic and the Hausa language, claiming, “Nothing will kill me until my days are over … I’m still alive. Some people asked you if Shekau has two souls. No, I have one soul, by Allah, “he said, apparently reading from a script.
A press briefing by the Nigeria Military which showed a dead Shekau and his double along with video of the battle ground where he was killed, and video clip posted round the world by insurgents without verifiable venue, which is believable?
But in the name of politics, many are prepared to believe that Shekau is still alive and that the Nigeria Military lied when they claimed to have killed the insurgents’ leader. For the opposition, to accept that Shekau is dead, may well be a plus to the ruling government therefore, he is better alive:
The question is, in whose interest is a Boko Haram victory over Nigeria? Or whose loss should it be, if Nigerian troops lose the battle to Boko Haram? It will instead be a national pain and loss. There is no guarantee that the non-election of anybody would automatically wipe away Boko Haram. Far from it.
This is why the political class must understand and define issues that ought to rise above usual politicking – National Security is one such.
They must avoid comments and actions that tend to demoralize troops who left their families behind to fight for the nation. That Nigerians may know peace.
What such troops deserve is our unalloyed support, solidarity and prayers and not utterances that inadvertently demoralize them, all in the name of politics.
My Agony is that the political class still does not seem to appreciate the fact that Nigerians are getting wiser and with the entrance of a new crop of young, educated voter-population, some of their faniliar vituperations would count against themselves and not sway voters. Methinks, the political parties need to do a lot more in articulating viable solutions to existing national problems and avoid personalizing their campaigns and badmouthing individuals just for criticism sake.
Soye Wilson Jamabo
Olisa Metuh and Lai Mohammed
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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.