Women
No Force Can Remove Wike As Gov-Jaja
Dr Mietamuno Jaja
Elder (Dr.) Isaac
Mietamuno Jaja is a retired Principal Manager with Central Bank of Nigeria. A financial expert with professional banking experience spanning over three decades. Chairman Steering Committee on Sensitization Campaign on the Redesigned Nigeria Currency Notes and Coins for Rivers and Bayelsa States in 2007, Administrator, Central Bank of Nigeria, Uyo, Management and Financial Consultant, Ex – Chairman, Opobo / Nkoro LGA, member, 8th Governing Council, Rivers State University of Education ( now Ignatius Ajuru), Vice President, Life Power Foundation, Uyo. fellow of several professional bodies, author of many publications and public analyst with passion for good governance. He bared his mind on sundry burning issues in an exclusive interview with The Tide. Execerpts.
As a financial expert, what is your view on the 2016 budget and the economic direction of this government?
Honestly speaking my brother, the economic direction of this government is not very clear to me. I do not know where to start from. I had thought that Mr. President on assumption of office with the change mantra would have engaged professionals, experts and technocrats from any where including political parties to drive the change mantra and move the economy forward in the overall interest of Nigeria. We need all hands on deck no matter the political divide. It is very important we balance academic economic theories with practical experience.
A glance at the budget clearly shows that there is no correlation between the budget fundamentals and the economic diversification policy of the government which is aimed at encouraging local production. We hope the National Assembly will correct the deviation. What is happening in the Capital Market, Foriegn Exchange Market, Value of Naira, sliding oil price and job loss in the economy is worrisome.
Furthermore, the budget to me is not realistic. We need to be realistic by cutting our coat accoding to our cloth. With the oil price budget benchmark of $38 which has dropped to $30, I do not know how the government intends to fund the deficit of N2 trillion. With the free fall in the price of oil, the deficit is bound to increase. What trilled me about the budget is the adoption “zero based budget approach”(ZBB). It is a forward looking apporach opposed to the common method of extrapolating past activities and costs. It is based on cost – benefit analysis which was popularised by President Jimmy Carter in the 70s.
What is your assessment of President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti – corruption drive?
My brother, in banking generally, honesty and integrity are the watch words. My background, training and core value abhor corruption of all shapes in its entirety.The increasing level of barefaced looting of public funds in the name of politics by our politicians whose only political interest is on wealth without work is worrisome in view of its negative impact on our economy .
As an advocate of good governance and leadership accountability, I wholeheartedly support President Muhammadu Buhari’s fight against corruption in all its ramifications. My disagreement is in the area of implementation process and procedure. I am not convinced that he is going about the anti-corruption war the right way.
I have strong reservations on the implementation process, which to me has been consumed and highly driven by political sentiment. I expected implementation process that should promote due process, respect the rule of law and encourage transparency and democratic ethos. What we saw and read in the media is like pronouncing sentence on the accused before trial. The exercise has been- over politicised and can not lead us to anywhere than destroying our eminent international personalities, weaken investors confidence and demarket Nigeria internationally. According to Chief Obafemi Awolowo, “any nation that goes deep into probe – probe business that nation is jeopardising the future of her citizens because it can not get to an end”.
I agree totally with Bishop Matthew Kukah who said,- “I don’t think any Nigerian is in favour of corruption or is against the President’s commitment to ensuring that we turn a new leaf. I think what we are concerned about is process. It is no longer a military regime and under our existing laws everybody is innocent until proven guilty”. For me, breaking the law to enforce the law makes the anti-graft war look more like instrument of witch- hunting and vengance. It looks as if nobody is advising Mr. President correctly.
My dear brother, it is difficult to fight a war you do not understand and win. I had expected government to have taken a comprehensive study of the scope, nature, and enablers of corruption tendencies in Nigeria. This is because most of these corruption cases are system induced. The system creates avoidable gaps that encourage stealing and corruption. No politician can steal without active involvement of career civil servants. This is the reality. Also, a thorough assessment of operational guidelines and procedure of anti-corruption agencies was necessary to reposition them to meet the expectations and aspirations of the current government’s mantra of change of zero tolerance for corruption. Furthermore, a holistic review, synchronise and strengthen relevant corruption extant laws and processes that may encumber judicial processes was needed for a smooth takeoff.
Finally, Government should have embarked on a nationwide society based value reorientation of Nigerian people through enlightenment/sensitisation programme on the negative implications of corruption in national growth and development to gain masses acceptance and buy-in into the vision of zero tolerance for corruption because corruption should be a Nigerian fight and not that of a single political party.
PMB has ordered the probe of some former Service Chiefs and senior military officers over the procurement of arms and equipment for Nigerian Armed Forces essentially regarding the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency in the North East. How do you see the President’s latest move?
Look, you can not question Mr. President’s move in this direction. Do not forget that he is a retired General in Nigerian Army and also one time Nigerian Military Head of State. It is difficult for us to question his security credentials and competence on issues bordering on Armed Forces. In Nigeria, we read political meaning into every action. You see my brother, at top leadership level, there are certain classified information that is available to them that most of us are not privy to know. I think he should be allowed to do his job. Nigerians are waiting.
Crime and criminality soared before, during and after the 2015 general elections in Rivers State, what could have inspired this untoward phenomenon?
That is not true. Do you know I am from Rivers State? I was here before the general elections and was here during the general elections. I voted in Ward Seven (7), Unit fifteen ( 15 ) in Opobo/Nkoro LGA where election was generally adjudged to be peaceful. I am still here after the 2015 general elections. So, what are you talking about soared criminality and soared that? I do not know why you should single out Rivers State when you know too well that 2015 general elections’ tension and fever affected every part of Nigeria in almost equal proportion. You can not stop people from campaigning before election, you cannot stop people during the election from exercising their civil right of vote or expressing wishful thinking neither can you stop those who failed from crying wolf. If this is what you mean by criminality, then, you are wrong because it happened nationwide. But if you are referring to Boko Haram area of North East or the Fulani herdsmen’s criminality along Benue trough you could be right. Certainly not Rivers State.
If you were asked to address politicians of different political persuasion in Rivers State, what would you tell them?
Thank you so much for this question. My advice is very simple and direct. Politics you know, is local and is all about people, we cannot claim to be politicians if we fail to do, what the people want us to do. Our politicians should be people centric and statesmanly in their bid for political relevance. They should eschew bitterness, rancour, and vendetta and close ranks in the interest of the people. It is important to note that power is transient, it will come and go but the state and bond of brotherhood subsist.
Political venture should ordinarily bring progress and put smiles on the faces of our people rather than curses and untold hardship. The increasing needs of our politicians has become greed. You will agree with me that need can be met but greed can not be fulfilled. I have always insisted on politics of selfless service to humanity believing that political success is not necessarily defined by the amount of wealth accumulated without work but about the differences you make in people’s lives.
This is not the time for us to feather our own nests and leave the people hungry and wasted. We should build people and not using people and dump them. According to Einstein, “try not to become a man of success but rather to become a man of value”. We should learn to think Rivers state, act Rivers State and live Rivers State.This remains my advice to politicians.
In your view, how can the youths of Rivers State be properly harnessed to enable them contribute positively to the development of the State?
If you go through the history of political philosophy, you will find out that youths are known to be in the vangard of social development and change. Ironically, this critical group – youths are marginalised in our development process. I am told that building a nation is the hardest task which requires special commitment and team work. We need the combined strength of the youths and the wisdom of the old to function properly. It is time we partner with our youths, engage their idle hands and re-channell their aggresion and restiveness toward meaningful contribution to the growth and development of Rivers State.
We can achieve this through effective massive society based value re-orientation and human capital development programme to redirect and refocus their mindset towards meaningfuls projects. They are bound to falter, but we should be patient with them knowing that youth is the time to learn, experiment, stumble, fall and rise again, the time to play sponge and take life’s lesson.
How would you assess the government of Governor Nyesom Ezebunwo Wike in the past eight months?
My brother, let me tell you the truth because as they say, “truth” is the most powerful force on earth and the only thing we can not change. Chief (Barr) Nyesom Ezebunwo Wike’s intervention in the affairs of Rivers State was apt and timely. A time the state was kept under lock and key and its material wealth frittered in favour of strange men at the expense of the people. A time the once peaceful and serene state wore the toga of the most politically volatile in the history of Nigeria and the leadership style was clearly diametrically opposed to the yeanings of the people.
Governor Wike’s emergence was a devine intervention. He restored hope to the hopeless and gave strength to the weak within the short peroid of less than seven months in office. You see in him a man with zeal and zest to serve his people. In spite of pausity of funds, but with leadership vision and creativity, he took dynamic steps to complete critical infrastructure abandoned by previous government in roads network etc. He promptly paid arrears of several months of salaries owed to civil servants, pension arrears, scholarship arrears and reversed injustice done to the poor and put smiles on the faces of many. Infact, Governor Wike displayed extreme ability to cultivate humanity and promote happiness of all and the good of every River man.
Let me tell you, no force can remove Wike as governor of Rivers State except Almighty God. Even if the election is conducted hundred times, he will win hundred times. Do you know why? He has three attributes that please God. They are strong belief in God, uncommon courage and heart of thanksgiving. Read the accounts of Jehoshaphat, Joshua and David you will see Wike in them. Thses are three divine weapons Wike will use to demolish APC. Take note.
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cont’d from p.23
How do you assess Buhari’s effort in tackling the Boko Haram insurgency?
Well, I am not a security expert but I will use a layman’s assessment to make my opinion. You see, in Economics, there is a theory that “production is not complete until it reaches the final consumer”. As a common man, I will only be satisfied when I am told that President Muhammadu Buhari has ended the challenges of Boko Haram as he promised and 219 adopted Chibok girls returned accordingly. This idea of Boko Haram had been technically and significantly defeated and yet the fact that people are being killed everyday in the North East does not appeal to me. In as much as I commend the effort of government and the military, until we have peaceful North East and return of Chibok girls, it will be difficult to give this government pass mark on insurgency.
What are your view on the stance of the Federal Government on withdrawal of petroleum subsidy ?
Good question. I read in one of the World Bank’s reports couple of years ago, that “99% of Nigeria’s population shares 20% of Nigerian’s resources while 1% shares 80% of Nigeria resources” This was thought- provocating particularly when I read IMF’S Analysis that “40% of fuel subsidies in rich countries go to rich families” This is to say that oil subsidies impoverish the poor and benefit the rich. Perhaps this must have informed the Jonathan administration’s decision to remove oil subsidy. You can see how our income distribution mechanism is deliberately skewed in favour of the rich at the expense of the poor.
Based on this, I support the removal of oil subsidy but with a proviso that Government must ensure equitable and even redistribution of the economic benefits arising therein which should also be seen to tally with the practical living standard experience of the people.A
Looking good is some women’s business. Looking beautiful for some persons is more important than food. Some prefer to appear trendy instead of attending to household pressure.
Beauty they say is in the eye of the beholder. Every woman by creature is beautiful but some persons feel that the way they were created is not enough. They feel that perhaps the creator should have added more features to their physic.
Artificial beauty did not start today, it has been there as far as man exists. From time to time, there has been one form of additional make-up or the other that women especially, must add to their natural look.
When you look at some of our elders, especially women, you notice certain drills or symbols (tattoo) on their skins, mostly on their hands and legs, in form of designs with dark prints. That is a form of artificial beauty. These days, some young ones still use such to beautify themselves.
It is not only women that are involved in artificial beauty, some young men also have likeness for it. It is common nowadays to see younger male folks spend money to pierce their ears to wear earrings. They also style their hairs in various forms to appear like women so as to look more handsome. This no doubt costs them more money than being in their natural look.
Every generation grows with it’s own new systems, items, styles of artificial beauty. Before now, African women generally and Nigeria in particular had their hair in natural form.
As civilisation and westernisation continued, Nigerian women started copying, for instance, perming of their hair to look like the White women. They started using western-produced chemicals (relaxers) to make their hairs look sleepy and smoother.
Nigerian women used to plate their hair with black thread or go with their hair well cut at low level. In terms of weaving, it was without attachment. The issue of women weaving hair with attachment came with civilisation. That is also a form of make-up.
The quest for extra beauty aside the way women were created has been from one generation to another.
Two or three decades ago, ladies used mascaras to darken and thicken their eyelashes. But in this 21st century, another system has evolved. Fixing of artificial eyelashes has become the order of the day.
In that case, it becomes difficult for them to scratch their eyes Incase of any itches. Some of their eyes turn reddish because of the touch.
There was a lady who was fixing her eyelashes in a salon, unfortunately, she got a phone call that her mother was late, as she started crying, it was difficult for her to clean the tears that were flowing down her cheeks.
The reason was for fear of the eye lashes falling off while cleaning the tears off her eyes.
One funny thing about fixing of artificial eyelashes is that some persons cannot close their eyes properly. The beauty they have in mind before fixing is not really achieved as their look become something anybody cannot behold. Both the shape of their eyes and facial outlook automatically change. One begins to wonder if that is the beauty they are looking for. Instead of looking beautiful, the reverse becomes the case.
As years go by, artificial beauty becomes more sophisticated in the society. The price and cost for looking more beautiful than women were created naturally becomes higher than their natural look.
The cosmetic industry becomes one of the most viable industries worldwide because some women desire artificial beauty. Some engage in cosmetic surgery to alter any part of their body which does not give them pleasure especially the fatty parts. Some go for surgery to make their slacked breasts to return to their original shapes as well as those with big tummies.
It is interesting to note that currently, Nigerian ladies have started to give preference to their natural hair and this is attracting a lot of admiration for them. Many prefer that natural look with low cuts. With that, the cost of maintaining the hair by ladies is reduced.
I think this is commendable as it will save the women from the negative effect of chemical used in manufacturing hair relaxers.
It is also common to see ladies on low cut hairs that are either light complexion, red and other funny colours.
People have been addicted to artificial beauty to the extent that they insert certain substances into their bodies to make them become more robust and attractive to their admirers.
I don’t understand why we should be crazy about adding more to our natural look. Every woman wants to look attractive in a packaged manner without recognising the implications of artificial beauty and make-up.
In fact, women’s quest for beauty has taken different dimension as they tend to appear trendy at home, in offices and as they go about their businesses. That is just to feel belonged and achieve self-esteem.
I recall a few years back, my pastor who trained as an Engineer advised women against the use of lipstick. He said that one of the chemical components of lipstick is lead and that it is dangerous to humans. Many women may not understand the reality of what he said until it manifests.
I think those who are naturally beautiful should not go for artificial make-ups. They should be satisfied with the work of their creator. Women should not continue to paint their faces to look like masquerades and should not lose value due to artificial beauty.
It may interest you to know that persons who apply make-ups excessively are mocked instead of being admired. Make-ups can be applied lightly.
Fixing of nails is another business. After fixing nails, some women find it difficult to perform house cores. Washing their personal belongings becomes a problem. The artificial nails become so long and sophisticated to the extent that the bearer cannot handle objects properly. Those in that habit also find it difficult to eat food with the fingers.
There are people who feel they should have been born in certain colour but when the reverse is the case, they seek artificial make-up. Use of skin-toning cream and soap becomes the option for artificial beauty. This happens to the extent that the users start having dark spots on the skin. Blisters occur on their faces and legs.
Unfortunately, this is an era when there are different kinds of cancer affecting women especially. It becomes difficult to identify the kind of make-up that can be cancerous.
It is high time people had stopped following trend to the detriment of their health.
Ladies should not present themselves as laughing stock with unnecessary make-up as they can still be cherished in their natural outlook.
Eunice Choko – Kayode
Yearly, the girls are celebrated not just because they are girls, but because of their importance to families, society and the nation at large.
You will agree that when the girl-child comes into a family first, that family is blessed. The assistance she renders to the family can not be compared to that of the opposite sex.
The job she does in the home cuts across many duties. In the home, she takes care of her younger ones. She assists her mother in carrying out house chores. After her educational career and she obtains a job, she caters for her family even as she is married out. She takes care of her aged parents in her matrimonial home.
This same girl-child when given the right training and opportunities, will also train her offspring. Thus, “train a woman and you train a nation”. When women are at the helms of affairs, things are done better.
Celebrating the girl-child yearly is a call to parents, families, faith-based organisations, non-governmental organisations, governments at all levels, and all relevant organisations that have one or two things to do with the girls to continue to put in place policies that will enhance their well-being.
On a daily basis, the girl-child faces more challenges. Sometimes, she finds it difficult to resist dangers. The issue of rape, violence of any form, sexual harassment, intimidation, discrimination in families about who should go to school or not.
The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Rivers State chapter, called on the government, the state and local assembly to enact laws that criminalise any act capable of impeding the education of the girl-child.
The association made the call as it joined the world to commemorate the International Day of the Girl-Child, in Port Harcourt, Friday.
NAWOJ also appealed to ministry of education and other relevant authorities to prevail against hawking during school hours, as well as call for an end to early girl-child marriage.
The state chairperson of the association, Susan Serekara-Nwikhana, who spoke in an interview with the press said: “We are calling on the Rivers State government, the Rivers State House of Assembly and the Local Assembly to enact laws that criminalise any act capable of impeding on the education of the girl child.
“We also want the government to throw her weight against any girl-child found hawking on the streets during school hours as this will serve as deterrent to any parent or ward that is nursing such idea.
“There is need for every girl-child to be properly educated as this impact generally on the society positively.”
Speaking on the 2024 theme which is, “Girls’ Vision For The Future”, NAWOJ chair stressed the need for parents to prioritise the education of their daughters.
She explained that quality education was key to an assured future for every girl-child, stressing that education unlocks doors of possibilities and the I-can spirit.
Her words: “Remember, you put an end to blind submission when you train the girl-child. Today, many girl-children have been abandoned and are left to pass through harrowing conditions that they never dreamt of due to lack of education.
“Do you know that the girl child suffer most as she is confronted with lots of challenges from the day she was born into a home; siblings rivalry on who should go to school and who should not, a decision that most parents take that negatively impedes on the girl-child and to the day she steps into her husband’s house, especially with a wicked mother-in-law or father-in-law.”
She noted that only those female children privileged to acquire quality education can surmount the challenges that confront them on their way to greatness.
“As we all know that the role of every woman in the society cannot be over-emphasised as such without education given to the gild-child, the society will raise dysfunctional women, who are abused, used and abandoned”, she emphasised.
The NAWOJ chair insisted: “When the girl-child is exposed to education, you have given her opportunity to endless possibilities, thereby putting an end to subjugation and blind subservient”.
As Rivers State joins the rest of the world to mark the 2024 International Day of the Girl-Child, a non-profit organisation, Multi Stakeholders Committee for the Prevention of Gender-Based Violence in Rivers State has called for policies to protect the girl- child against gender-based violence.
It also urged for massive investment in the development of the girl-child.
The group said this in a statement to mark the day.
According to the statement signed by the coordinator of the group, who is also the Head of the Public Defender, Rivers State, Evelyn Membere Asimiea, time has come for the society to stand together and ensure that no girl is left behind.
She also said the celebration which has as its theme, “Girls, Vision For The Future”, is a call to action not just to acknowledge the challenges girls face but to actively empower them.
According to the statement, as we join the global community to celebrate the International Day of the Girl-Child, we are reminded of the powerful potential of every girl and the urgent need to invest in their rights. This year’s theme, “Girls: Vision For The Future,” calls us to action not just to acknowledge the challenges girls face but to actively empower them as leaders of tomorrow.
Mrs Asimiea said time has come for stakeholders including government, civil society organisations, families and individuals to stand together and ensure that no girl is left behind.
“As Coordinator of the Multi-Stakeholders Committee for the Prevention of Gender-Based Violence and Head of the Office of the Public Defender, Rivers State, I wish to highlight that our girls are at the heart of building strong, safe, and prosperous communities. Yet, they are often the most vulnerable to violence, discrimination, and neglect. It is time for all of us—government, civil society, families, and individuals—to stand together and ensure that no girl is left behind”, the statement said.
She also called for massive investment in the girl- child, adding: “Investing in girls means ensuring they have access to quality education, healthcare, and equal opportunities.
“It means protecting them from all forms of gender-based violence (GBV), child marriage, and harmful traditional practices.
“When we invest in the safety, education, and empowerment of girls, we are investing in the future of our state and nation.”
It reiterated its commitment to continue to advocate for the right of the girl child, stressing that the group is working tirelessly to advocate for the rights of girls and the women.
“We are working tirelessly to advocate for the rights of girls and women, providing legal support to survivors of GBV, and pushing for stronger policies to prevent violence and protect their futures.
“But we cannot do it alone. We need every family, every community leader, and every citizen to take responsibility for the well-being of our girls.
“On this day, I urge you all to commit to creating a world where every girl feels safe, valued, and empowered to lead. Together, we can build a Rivers State where girls’ rights are protected, and their leadership flourishes, for the future of all of us”, the coordinator said.
As we mark this year’s girl-child day, women groups all over the world should as a matter of fact, continue to create awareness on the need to develop them in the right way so that they can showcase their potentials.
Eunice Choko-Kayode
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