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Beyond Cameron’s Apology …Another Look At Anti-Graft War
President Buhari and Prime Minister Cameron
By his antecedents, Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari, it is generally believed, brought to the Presidency and governance a rare measure of acceptability, especially to his avowed war against corruption. From his modest life-style, his disciplinarian mien and his mark of transparency, by publicly declaring his assets, none should doubt his credibility.
That is why when British Prime Minister David Cameron recently described Nigeria as “fantastically corrupt”, many took offence as if the abuse was on Buhari. Strangely, Buhari’s initial response was statesmanly, when he said, in that case, Cameron and his ilk should help return the stolen loot still stashed away in various financial institutions in Europe and America.
The bottomline is, anyone who hides a thief cannot be a saint, neither can one who buys or secures, away from the primary owner, any stolen funds. The United Kingdom cannot make such a blanket statement about a nation part of whose stolen wealth is hidden within her boundaries.
Strictly speaking, Cameron went beyond his bounds, especially as one who was to play host to world leaders for an anti-corruption conference, in which the Nigerian leader was going to be in attendance. It didn’t amount to playing a good host, although, it was later gathered, Cameron’s view was not intended for public consumption.
Interestingly, the reactions of some Nigerians were diverse and amusing. But, lets ask ourselves some basic questions: Are we, as a country, truly fighting corruption? What is corruption? Is it when it is suspected that members of a government out of power exercised some indiscretion in managing public funds? Has the Buhari government bothered to truly check the background and antecedents of some of those around him in the party’s ranks.
Gradually but surely, the definition of corruption has been reduced to vengeance against political foes. This is in spite of the fact that there are many in the ruling party, who, so corrupt, cannot be depended upon to fight corruption, the way Buhari should, without fear.
The activities and investments of such key characters in Buhari’s government, may be concealed from Nigerians but they are public knowledge in the UK and USA. That is why when comments like that by Cameron make the air waves, they should call for introspection and not vile outburst.
Remember former Delta State Governor James Ibori? Nearly all Nigerian anti-graft agencies found him clean, pure and innocent until he was found guilty abroad. There are several such secrets just awaiting brave whistle-blowers.
But one cannot totally blame Buhari. In politics, three things are very important. The first is money, the second money and the third, money. No matter how credible, creditable, upright and trustworthy an ambitious politician might be, that pedigree cannot pay the bills. He needs funds to tour the states, appoint points’ men, sponsor media needs and above all, get the right not necessarily honest men, to bankroll his needs.
In the quest to actualize one’s political ambition, no money is bad money, no sponsor is a corrupt giver and no supporter is a bad one. Only men like US Republican Party’s presumptive nominee, Donald Trump and may be late Nigerian Business Mogul Moshood Abiola could bankroll their own campaign needs, and damn all consequences.
Unfortunately, Buhari did not fall into that class, so how sure can he be that all monies, channeled towards his ambition was clean and not ill-gotten? How sure is Buhari that some of the support he got from politicians in course of his campaign were not ill-gotten or stolen state funds? How did they amass such wealth?
If a serving governor, not Aliko Dangote, donates as much as N3billion in four trenches, shouldn’t a question be raised? Could such funds be his or his state’s? Will it be fair to accept such gifts without verifying the source?
But politics is like a Church. Armed robbers and even prostitutes pay tithes. So do coffin makers and mortuary owners. That is why no politician ever summons the courage to question the source of funds he needs badly to fund his ambition. Is it why no former PDP governor now in the ruling APC can ever be considered corrupt, even if, as is repeatedly said, the PDP institutionalized Corruption for 16 years, and many of them, part of eight years?
Does it mean that once a corrupt governor defects to APC his sins are washed clean? Or that no more questions can be raised about his legendary earnings, while, in the PDP and office?
That is why many see Buhari’s attempt to probe election funds, allegedly spent by officials of the last government as very good, as long as the APC will also make public a comprehensive account of its own campaign expenses and donors to the President’s electioneering course, and treasury.
Such a statement must state clearly all donors, contributors and financeers of both the APC as a party and the Presidential elections. It is only that way that skeptics, especially, the international community would see us as serious-minded in the fight against corruption. A crusade that adjudges all of the President’s men as innocent, even if some of them ran their state’s resources aground in preference for political relevance, cannot enjoy the people’s total support.
Even with Buhari’s pedigree and unblemished credibility, many Nigerians don’t see his anti-graft war as a true battle against corruption. The closest it is viewed is vengeance against members of a political party who had denied him the Presidency thrice.
This is not good for a good course like the anti-graft war. It will instead continue to attract comments like Cameron’s, even if not voiced yet, for pecuniary benefits some world leaders hope to make from a country in desperate need of foreign investors.
Even within Nigeria, the word on the street is not different. If Buhari had at least investigated petitions raised by Lagos and Rivers States against their former governors, no matter how helpful they were to the actualization of Buhari’s Presidential ambition, the anti-graft war would have been credible.
For, many believe, if the same accusations had been raised against others, their travails would surely be worse than those of the former National Security Adviser (NSA)Sambo Dasuki. But it does appear, no matter the size of one’s, loot, once defected to the ruling party, all one’s sins are washed clean.
These are perhaps why Cameron, inadvertently voiced what ought to have remained a guarded secret, not necessarily that it’s a lie, by upgrading the present day Nigeria from merely being corrupt to being ‘fantastically’ corrupt.
Viewed from an even broader perspective, there have been actions and inactions under the present Federal administration, that tend to question the sincerity of the crusade.
A vital public document like the 2016 Budget Proposal presented to the joint-session of the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari, disappeared from the Senate and re-appeared with amendments which law-makers called padding. None considered the act an offence. None was punished. And with the signing of the fiscal document into law, that matter is closed. Pronto.
Also, it is nearly a year into the life of the government, and over 2,000 ghost workers have been found. Who has been signing the salaries of the ghosts? What has been done in reprimand?
Another was the reaction of government that bail-out funds granted some states were diverted. Who are those state governors? Are they APC governors or PDP governors? Critics say those names may have remained guarded secret apparently because they may be chieftains of the ruling party.
These lack of consistency and transparency are what is giving some dent to the credibility of President Buhari, and which every step on the way forces many to question the true definition of corruption. The Commander-In-Chief is either too trusting or bugged down by past goodwill to turn on some of his own, same heat being faced by opposition politicians.
There should be some measure of balance, fairness, objectivity and justice in the daily pursuit of corruption related complaints. If the crusade is to succeed, the Federal Government must not pick and choose which to probe. Every complaint should be considered a possible lead to something concealed.
My Agony is that the antecedents of some politicians being protected by the Federal Government today are like mirror to the international anti graft agencies. It is with such knowledge that our promotion from just corrupt to fantastically corrupt came about. Sadly, Cameron did not say, ‘Nigeria was corrupt’ but ‘Nigeria is fantastically corrupt. That should worry Buhari.
Soye Wilson Jamabo
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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.