Opinion

Is Receiving A Gift Crime In Nigeria?

Published

10 years ago

March 14, 2016

On Tuesday February 23,
2016, as a law abiding citizen, Prince Uche Secondus, Deputy National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), respectfully honoured an invitation by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) in Abuja.
At the EFCC, he was confronted with the allegation of receiving vehicles from one Mr.Jide Omokore of Atlantic Energy Ltd. On the strength of this allegation, the EFCCdetained Prince Secondus for eight days, more than the constitutionally required two days or 48 hours without trial in a court of competent jurisdiction.
If one may ask, if a private businessman who is not under investigation at the time gives one a gift, how is that an economic crime against the state?
What is even more worrisome, while in custody after asking Prince Secondus to fulfill very stringent bail conditions which he duly complied, the EFCC refused to either grant him administrative bail immediately or charge him to court of competent jurisdiction as the law requires, but instead kept him in detention for eight days.
This action of the EFCC amounted to a flagrant abuse of Prince Secondus’s fundamental human rights as a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. If one may ask, what economic crime did Prince Secondus commit against the Nigerian state to warrant his arrest and detention for eight days without being charged to court by the EFCC, other than being a foremost member of the main opposition party, the PDP.
What is more, at the time he received the said vehicles, was Prince Secondus occupying a position in government? Similarly, did he receive the vehicles from a government official that his failure to declare and hand them in at the end of the last administration amounted to intent to defraud the state, hence his arrest and detention by the government anti-corruption agency?
Against the above backdrop, one views Prince Secondus’s arrest and incarceration for eight days on thrump-up allegations without trial in a court of competent jurisdiction as serious abuse of power by agents of the ruling party, which all well-meaning Nigerians must rise up and fight this descent to impunity.
On regaining freedom after eight gruesome days in EFCC dungeon, Prince Secondus issued a statement in which he described his ordeal as part of the grand plot by the ruling APC to eliminate and silence him and other leading members of the opposition with the aim of totally decimating the main opposition party, the PDP.
Indeed, if the evidence that the General Buhari’s administration is on vengeance and witchhunt mission of political opponents and members of the opposition as epitomized by Prince Secondus’s EFCC experienceis true, then the power Nigerians freely gave the APC on March 28, 2015 to steer the democratic ship of state from troubled waters is grossly being abused.
Besides, we learnt that the EFCC asked Prince Secondus to refund the sum of N310 million being the cost of the vehicles to the coffers of government. In asking for the monetisation of the vehicles to government, one may ask, were the vehicles in question collected on behalf of government for the EFCC to ask for their cash refund? Therefore, for the EFCC to ask for cash from Prince Secondus for vehicles he got as an independent man implies that there are lots more to his arrest and detention for eight days without being charged to court than the vehicles.
Therefore, one is compelled to believe that he, Prince Secondus was made to suffer because of political vendetta orchestrated by certain persons in the ruling party who are not comfortable with his political profile and antecedent in the past few months that he led the PDP as acting National Chairman to successive victories both in some re-run elections and judicial cases at the Supreme Court. Hence,there is every reason to believe that the APC led Federal Government moved by the need to decimate the PDP must have seen Prince Secondus as a political ‘iroko tree’ that must be cut down in order to successfully plot its way through the thick Nigeria’s political forest.
As the events of the past few months have shown, one is constrained to view the anti-corruption mantra of the ruling APC General Buhari’s administration as smoke screen to divert public attention from the obvious directionless and cluelessness in the management of the nation’s seriously doldrumatised economy. This explains the desperation to lump and haul the few remaining prominent actors of the opposition into jail and smear them with unfounded allegation of corruption.
If one may ask, when is receiving a car gift from a private business organization or an individual who prior to the time was not under any investigation an economic crime against the state to warrant the incarceration of private individuals in a democracy?
Can the APC, as Nigeria’s ‘moral political standard bearer’ tell Nigerians in all sincerity that none of its chieftains either in government today or in times past ever received any gift from individuals, corporate entities, and even government agencies? In case they think the people may have forgotten so soon, the memory of Rivers people is still very fresh on how the resources of the State were alleged to have been plundered and used to fund the party right from inception till its ascendency to the Villa. Has the eagle eye of the EFCC still not seen the billions of Rivers people money alleged to have been diverted to fund the APC at the expense of school fees and bursary allowances for state sponsored school children both overseas and local, and salaries of poor civil servants, health workers, teachers and other categories of public servants including pensioners that were not paid for many months prior to May 29, 2015.What has the anti-graft body done to help the state now in dire financial straits recover its looted resources?
Against the above backdrop, for the APC led government of General Buhari’s effort to rid the polity of corruption to be acclaimed a success, it must investigate and bring to book all those across the different political divide who used their privileged positions for partisan and self-aggrandizement. If this is not done, the current efforts at fighting corruption in which only members of the opposition PDP are being investigated, arrested and detained without trial will amount to selective justice and flagrant abuse of power.
If the EFCC feels that Prince Secondus has done anything that amounted to infringement against the law, he should have been charged to a court of competent jurisdiction within the stipulated constitutional required time of 48 hours from time of his arrest which by his detention for eight days government had violated. Anything short is unacceptable, undemocratic, unconstitutional and dictatorial, and an invitation to anarchy which all Nigerians irrespective of partisan affiliation must resist for the sake of our hard won democracy.
Nigerians must rise up against the rebirth of dictatorship and disregard for due process, whereby people are framed and bundled into prison on thrumped-up charges as was prevalent during the hay days of the military junta. As a people who value their hard earned political freedom and rule of law, Nigerians must resist any attempt by the APC led government of General Buhari to reincarnate the David-West treatment, who in 1986 as Petroleum Minister based on thrumped-up charges of receiving a gift of wristwatch and taking a cup of tea offered by the then Saudi Oil Minister was jailed six months by the military administration of General Ibrahim Babangida.
Da-Wariboko, a journalist, writes from Port Harcourt.

Biobele Da-Wariboko

Opinion

Monthly Environmental Sanitation Imperative

Published

17 hours ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

Quote: “A clean environment is not a government gift; it is a civic duty that protects our health, preserves our cities, and reflects our national character.”

For many Nigerians who grew up in the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s, the last Saturday of every month followed a familiar pattern. Roads were deserted, markets closed, and residents swept compounds, cleared gutters, cut overgrown weeds, and disposed off refuse. The monthly environmental sanitation exercise became a national ritual that promoted cleanliness, discipline, and civic responsibility. As an environment correspondent about two decades ago, I joined officials of the Rivers State Ministry of Environment on sanitation monitoring tours across Port Harcourt and surrounding communities. Although enforcement officers were sometimes accused of excesses, the exercise succeeded in creating public awareness about the importance of keeping our surroundings clean. Over time, however, the practice faded away in many states.

In its absence, indiscriminate dumping of refuse, blocked drainages and environmental neglect became increasingly common. Today, heaps of waste line roads, markets and motor parks, while gutters clogged with plastics contribute to perennial flooding. Given the mounting environmental challenges facing Nigerian cities, there is no better time to revive environmental sanitation. Its return is no longer a matter of nostalgia; it is a practical necessity for public health, environmental safety, and sustainable development. Poor sanitation remains a major cause of disease. Stagnant water and uncollected waste create breeding grounds for mosquitoes, flies and rodents, increasing the risk of malaria, cholera, typhoid and other infections. Floodwaters contaminated by refuse also expose communities to serious health hazards.

Rapid urbanisation has worsened the situation. Cities such as Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja are expanding faster than their waste management systems can cope. As populations grow, so does the volume of waste generated daily. Monthly sanitation exercises can help rebuild environmental consciousness. Beyond cleaning streets, they remind citizens that environmental cleanliness is a shared responsibility. They also offer an opportunity to educate children and young people about hygiene, public health and community participation. Critics argue that the old sanitation policy restricted movement and was sometimes abused by security personnel. Those concerns were valid, but they do not invalidate the concept itself. Rather than abandon it, governments should reform the programme to make it more humane, participatory and transparent.

That is why the recent decision by the Lagos State Government to reintroduce monthly sanitation deserves commendation. Even if participation is largely voluntary, the move sends a strong signal that environmental responsibility must be taken seriously. Other states should emulate this initiative. In Rivers State, the Rivers State Waste Management Agency has intensified efforts to improve waste collection and restore Port Harcourt’s reputation as the Garden City. Reintroducing monthly sanitation would complement these efforts and deepen public involvement. At the federal level, policies such as the Digital Waste Marketplace, the Plastic Waste Policy and the National Waste Management Network are commendable. However, environmental sanitation remains one of the most direct and visible ways to mobilise citizens toward cleaner communities.

The exercise, however, must be supported by efficient waste management infrastructure. Citizens cannot be expected to maintain clean surroundings if there are inadequate waste bins, irregular refuse collection, and limited recycling facilities. Governments at all levels should invest in modern waste management systems, properly fund sanitation agencies, and promote recycling programmes. Waste sorting should become standard practice to reduce the volume of refuse ending up in landfills and drainage channels. Countries such as Singapore, Sweden and South Korea have demonstrated that waste can become a valuable economic resource. Recycling industries in these countries create jobs while protecting the environment. Nigeria can adopt similar strategies and turn waste into wealth.

Environmental laws must also be enforced consistently. Regulations against illegal dumping exist in many states but are rarely implemented. Offenders should face penalties, but enforcement must be fair and free from extortion. Urban planning is another critical factor. Poor drainage systems, overcrowding and inadequate sewage infrastructure worsen sanitation problems. Governments must prioritise road construction, drainage maintenance and orderly urban development. Markets deserve particular attention. They generate enormous quantities of waste every day, yet many lack organised disposal systems. Local councils and market associations should work together to establish effective waste collection arrangements in commercial centres. Religious institutions, schools, traditional rulers and civil society groups also have important roles to play.

Environmental responsibility should be taught and reinforced as a social value. Community leaders can help change attitudes by consistently promoting cleaner habits. This issue is even more urgent in an era of climate change. Flooding, erosion and extreme weather events are already threatening many Nigerian communities. Poor waste disposal worsens these challenges by blocking waterways and reducing urban resilience. A clean environment also offers economic benefits. Well-maintained cities attract investors, tourists and businesses. Reduced disease outbreaks lower healthcare costs and improve productivity among workers and students. More importantly, cleanliness reflects national values. A nation that allows public spaces to deteriorate projects an image of disorder and neglect. Nigerians deserve cleaner streets, healthier neighbourhoods and safer communities.

Reviving environmental sanitation will not solve all environmental problems overnight, but it can serve as a powerful starting point. Combined with effective waste management, public education and stronger infrastructure, it can restore environmental consciousness across the country. Ultimately, environmental cleanliness is a shared responsibility. Government must provide leadership, infrastructure and enforcement, while citizens must demonstrate discipline and civic commitment. From disposing of household waste properly to keeping drains free of obstruction, every Nigerian has a role to play. If Nigeria is serious about protecting public health, reducing flooding and building livable cities, the return of monthly environmental sanitation is a step whose time has come.

By: Calista Ezeaku

Opinion

God’s Intentionality in Ecological System

Published

17 hours ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

Quote:”Every component of creation is interdependent, demonstrating that God designed nature as a balanced system in which each part contributes to the wellbeing of the whole”.

From the very first chapter of Scripture, the Bible presents a profound truth: creation was not accidental, random, or without meaning. The universe emerged from the deliberate counsel of an all-wise God who fashioned every aspect of life with purpose and precision. The heavens were stretched out by His command, the earth was carefully positioned, the seas were bounded, and every living creature was assigned a distinct role within a perfectly coordinated ecological system. When God surveyed His completed work, He pronounced it “very good,” affirming that creation was whole, harmonious, and exactly as He intended. The natural world remains a visible testimony to God’s intentionality. The sun provides warmth and energy at the right intensity to sustain life. The moon governs tides and seasons. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen.

Rivers irrigate the land and quench thirst. Bees and butterflies pollinate crops. Birds disperse seeds. Animals maintain biodiversity. Every component of creation is interdependent, demonstrating that God designed nature as a balanced system in which each part contributes to the wellbeing of the whole. Nothing was made without significance, and nothing was left to chance. Among all created beings, humanity occupies a unique and privileged position. Unlike plants and animals, man was created in the image and likeness of God. This divine imprint endowed human beings with intelligence, moral consciousness, creativity, and the capacity for relationship with their maker. It also established mankind as the steward of creation. God granted humanity dominion over the earth, not as a license for reckless exploitation, but as a sacred trust to cultivate, protect, and preserve the world He had declared good.

Dominion, in God’s original intention, was to be exercised with wisdom, compassion, and responsibility. Human beings were meant to care for the land, use natural resources judiciously, and ensure that all forms of life flourished in accordance with divine order. The earth was to be managed as a trust from God, not plundered for selfish gain. Unfortunately, this divine mandate has been grossly misunderstood and widely abused. It is deeply regrettable that man has deviated so drastically from God’s original intention. Instead of stewardship, humanity has too often embraced greed. Instead of preservation, there has been exploitation. Instead of gratitude to the Creator, there has been reckless consumption and abuse of the environment. Across the world, forests are felled indiscriminately, rivers are contaminated, and fertile lands are stripped of their productivity.

Species disappear as habitats are destroyed. Air pollution threatens public health, and climate change disrupts weather patterns and livelihoods. What God created as a life-supporting ecosystem is increasingly treated as a disposable commodity. In Nigeria, the consequences are especially painful. Oil spills in the Niger Delta have devastated farmlands, poisoned rivers, and destroyed fishing communities. Poor waste management clogs drains and contributes to flooding. Erosion eats away homes and roads. Illegal mining and logging scar the landscape. In many cases, communities suffer while those responsible evade justice. At the root of much of this destruction is corruption. Funds earmarked for environmental protection, sanitation, and erosion control are often diverted for personal enrichment. Regulatory agencies are compromised through bribery.

Powerful individuals and corporations place profit above human welfare. Corruption thus becomes not only a moral failure but an assault on God’s creation. This environmental abuse is also a tragic expression of man’s inhumanity to man. When water is polluted, children fall sick. When farmlands are destroyed, farmers lose their means of survival. When rivers are contaminated, fishermen are plunged into poverty. When floods and erosion displace families, communities are torn apart. The burden of environmental degradation falls most heavily on the poor and vulnerable, while future generations inherit a diminished world. Yet, despite humanity’s failures, there remains hope for restoration. God’s purpose for creation has not changed. He still calls His people to responsible stewardship and righteous living. When individuals and nations return to God’s principles, they begin to view the earth not as an object to exploit, but as a sacred trust to preserve.

Responsible stewardship means protecting natural resources, planting trees, reducing pollution, disposing of waste properly, enforcing environmental laws, rejecting corruption, and treating others with justice and compassion. It requires governments to act with integrity, businesses to operate ethically, faith communities to teach creation care, and citizens to take personal responsibility for the environment. Creation care is therefore more than an environmental concern; it is a spiritual obligation. Our treatment of the earth and of one another reflects the sincerity of our reverence for God. To exploit nature, oppress the vulnerable, and enrich ourselves through corruption is to rebel against His purpose. To protect creation and uphold justice is to honor the Creator and participate in His original design. The world God made was declared “very good.” It is our solemn duty to ensure that our actions preserve rather than destroy that goodness.

By: Sylvia ThankGod-Amadi

Opinion

Confronting National Development In Chinese Style

Published

6 days ago

May 13, 2026

The Tide

Quote: “China’s rise was not a miracle. It was the result of deliberate planning, disciplined execution, and a national determination to make poverty reduction the foundation of national development.”

A short TikTok video by @ancientchinaforever recently offered a compelling summary of China’s remarkable transformation from one of the world’s poorest nations to a global economic powerhouse. In just a few minutes, it captured a lesson that developing countries like Nigeria cannot afford to ignore: meaningful development does not happen by chance. It is the product of vision, consistency, and a deliberate commitment to confronting poverty. In 1981, according to the World Bank, nearly 88 percent of China’s population lived in extreme poverty. The country was overwhelmingly rural, industrially weak, and lacking in modern infrastructure. Millions of people had limited access to quality healthcare, education, and basic social services. Yet China refused to accept poverty as its destiny. Its leaders made a strategic decision to treat poverty reduction as the starting point of national development.

Rather than relying on slogans or isolated welfare programmes, they created a coordinated system that mobilised government institutions at every level toward one overriding goal: improving the living conditions of ordinary citizens.

This was the turning point in China’s history. Poverty alleviation became a national mission. Clear targets were established, responsibilities were assigned to provincial and local governments, and officials were evaluated based on measurable results. Data was used to identify poor households, monitor progress, and adjust strategies where necessary.In effect, China built what may be described as a national development machine.The first major reforms focused on agriculture. Through the household responsibility system, farmers were given greater control over their land and allowed to sell surplus produce after meeting government quotas.

This policy created incentives for productivity and innovation. The results were dramatic. Agricultural output rose significantly, rural incomes increased, and millions were lifted out of poverty.With food security improving, China turned to industrialisation. The government established Special Economic Zones, most notably in Shenzhen, to attract foreign investment and promote export-driven manufacturing. What was once a small fishing community quickly transformed into one of the world’s leading industrial and technology hubs. Factories created millions of jobs, drawing workers from rural areas into expanding urban centres. China soon became the manufacturing capital of the world, producing electronics, textiles, machinery, and consumer goods for global markets.The revenue generated from industrial growth was reinvested in infrastructure and human development.

China understood that development requires more than factories. It demands modern infrastructure that connects people, goods, and markets. Massive investments were made in roads, railways, airports, seaports, electricity, and telecommunications.

Today, China’s high-speed rail system, modern cities, and efficient logistics networks stand as visible proof of decades of purposeful investment. Equally important was China’s commitment to education and healthcare.Schools were expanded, literacy improved, and vocational training equipped workers with the skills needed in a modern economy. Healthcare reforms reduced preventable diseases and protected families from being pushed deeper into poverty by medical costs.These investments ensured that economic growth translated into tangible improvements in living standards.

Another defining feature of China’s development model was policy continuity. Through successive Five-Year Plans, national priorities were clearly outlined and pursued over decades. While leaders changed, the core development agenda remained consistent. This stability encouraged investment, strengthened institutions, and allowed long-term projects to be completed. Unlike countries where each administration abandons the policies of its predecessor, China sustained a clear sense of direction.The results have been extraordinary. According to the World Bank, China has lifted more than 800 million people out of extreme poverty—the largest poverty reduction effort in human history. A broad middle class has emerged, and the country has become the world’s second-largest economy. Chinese companies such as Huawei Technologies and Alibaba Group now compete at the forefront of global innovation.

China’s journey has not been without challenges. Rapid industrialisation has contributed to environmental degradation, regional disparities, and demographic pressures. However, these challenges do not diminish the scale of its achievement. They underscore the complexity of transforming a nation of over one billion people. For Nigeria, China’s experience offers valuable lessons. First, poverty reduction must be treated as a strategic national priority rather than a campaign promise. Second, development requires long-term planning and policy continuity. Third, sustained investment in agriculture, infrastructure, education, and healthcare is essential. Fourth, institutions must be strengthened to ensure accountability and measurable outcomes. Finally, leadership must combine vision with disciplined execution. Nigeria is richly endowed with natural resources, entrepreneurial talent, and a youthful population.

What remains missing is a coherent and consistent development strategy that places national interest above politics. China’s transformation demonstrates that development is not a matter of luck. It is the outcome of clear priorities, effective institutions, and unwavering commitment. For countries still grappling with poverty and underdevelopment, China stands as compelling proof that when a nation confronts its challenges with strategic intent and collective discipline, extraordinary progress is possible.

Sylvia ThankGod-Amadi