Issues
Post COVID-19 Changes Nigeria Must Make
The COVID-19 pandemic is obviously a harbinger of global changes, meaning that for many developing nations certain conditions must be done away with, so as to adjust into the global network. What was known as globalisation some years ago called for some rapid transition on the part of developing nations so that no society remains short-changed in current global practices and orientations. Change was the mantra that brought the present APC-led administration into power. The slogan that “change begins with me”, means that some metamorphosis must take place within every individual.
Genuine process of development does not consist in material and visible infrastructure and social amenities, but in qualitative mindset of people. Such mindset, even though invisible, manifests in the quality of thinking and actions resulting therefrom. A society in transition is a society where there is a comprehensive transformation of visible conditions and attitudes by means of invisible but qualitative mental energy.
Therefore, managing a society in transition consists in bringing about a metamorphosis in the environment and mindset of people towards qualitative standard, away from prevailing conditions. Surely, prevailing social conditions in Nigeria cannot be described as ideal, such that we should rejoice and be content. Using the COVID-19 pandemic as a peg, it can be said that there is a need for rapid transition in every sector of life, towards qualitative global standards.
From the health sector to everything else, including managing labour issues, an ideal transition would demand that those who handle public institutions should explore some paradigm shift. Many people get scripted in old and regular ways of doing things that they ignore the fact that changes and prevailing circumstances call for a paradigm shift or the application of personal discretion. Known as hermeneutic theory in the management of transition and changes, the use of personal discretion, away from what regulations say, is an acceptable and noble practice. It demands of a chief executive to come down from the “high horse” and see what prevails on the ground; as things affect the masses.
Many people rarely live up their full potential both in terms of their personal lives and what they contribute to the larger society because of restrictions coming from “regulations”. Given a free hand, there are many insignificant people in society who can do great and unique things for the good of humanity, but they are held back by regulations and customs. We would rather spend N400, 000 to treat a COVID-19 patient than consider the possibility of available herbs serving such purpose.
To be able to address the jinx of breaking away from the shackles of fixed regulations and mindset boxed in traditions and customs, some drastic transitional measures are called for. The success of many forward-moving nations, including China, is the ability to by-pass obsolete rules, regulations, traditions and norms which hold little or no validity in the light of present experiences. Similarly, the long-held mindset of looking at the outward appearance of a messenger before considering whether or not to examine the message that he bears, has been responsible for many human losses. Dr Joseph Abalaka who was embarrassed in Nigeria by his professional colleagues was received gladly somewhere, such that his “concoction” is helping many people somewhere else.
In the university system with which one is acquainted, one finds that ego and conceit count as shackles holding back rapid transition. Anybody who comes to know would not find it hard to know that possession of certificates is a different thing from distilled personal experience borne of practical exposures and committed service delivery. But we are still deceived by ornaments. Obstacles standing in the way of redressing many anomalies in Nigeria would arise from minds held fast by the iron grips of ego, conceit; long-held belief system and many other unreasonable regulations, practices and privileges entrenched in society.
Among such unreasonable regulations, practices and privileges are patronage and sinecure system whereby some idlers and over-pampered persons are being paid huge amounts of money for giving no commensurate services. Many countries which gave undue and unmerited rights and privileges, including preferment, to some people, did not get on well till such abuses were abolished.
Every country, and at all times, often had this issue of unmerited privileges to some people and pressure groups. Unfortunately such anomalies, when not eliminated early, often grow into a “standing army” of influence peddlers or cabal who become retrogressive forces in society. When some groups of such “standing army” are close to authorities holding constitutional power, they can become a nuisance to society, hard to dislodge. In a similar way, some labour, professional or business bodies can hold a society to ransom when they become too powerful. In Nigeria, the association of cattle breeders known as Miyetti Allah appears to be using cattle as bulldozers in economic power game, with impunity.
A society in transition is usually characterized by hurry to the extent that quality control becomes compromised and discipline undermined. Examples of irresponsible service delivery include electricity supply that is unpredictable and a taxation system easy to evade. What we call corruption is not usually associated with financial activities and malpractices, but more often a social system that is unreliable and capable of making people to resort to self-help when there are loopholes and weak implementations.
A part of social transition includes changes in the economy whereby the state becomes less of an employer of labour, but more of a reliable regulatory instrument.
What is holding Nigeria back from rapid economic take-off results largely from our emphasis on academic learning process, coupled with a corrupt system which makes credit facilities difficult. There is hardly any way that rapid social transition can take place when loans and credit facilities are tied to political patronage or made difficult by corrupt practices. There is a need to unbundle Nigerian youths from the stronghold of politicians who lure many of them into wrong activities, including brigandage.
Leadership has a strong role to play in the process of social transformation, although part of the sacrifices needed for the purpose would be hard for Nigerian politicians to make. Apart from exemplary leadership which would inspire and encourage the masses, the cost of governance in Nigeria is high and needs to be cut down drastically. A situation where those who are meant to manage the resources of the nation judiciously can engage in lavish spending and consumption, the masses would hardly be encouraged.
A situation where some little benefits meant to flow to the masses are cornered and shared secretly by politicians who are by no means poor, is a situation which calls for a change of such mindset. From award of scholarship, to palliative measures under COVID-19 pandemic, there have been allegations and gossips about politicians taking and snatching away “milk” meant for babies. There have been allegations and gossips about contracts being reviewed upwards, payments made with alacrity and then the project abandoned. A nation where people rarely think of the consequences of their actions and decisions is a nation whose social transition would be agonizing.
Social transition involves and includes individuals becoming conscious of their personal and social responsibilities, in such a way that by observing their thoughts and actions they can afford to sleep without fear or a troubled conscience. Transition does not happen in the air but within the heart and soul of individuals, with a visible effect in the degree of patriotism on a larger number of the populace. What we observe daily now is a situation where a large number of people feel frustrated and sad, especially over management of public affairs.
Nigerians can be reliable, honest, patriotic and committed to work hard to build the nation, but with bitterness and a low morale, this cannot take place. An effective social transition requires managing affairs so that people are happy and can make sacrifices for the common good of the nation. To boost the drooping morale of Nigerians would need a drastic social change whereby the parasitic nature of the nation’s political economy would change to one of productivity.
If the Nigerian masses can see an honest example of a leader who would cut down 50% of his official and hidden perks and benefits, there would be a rapid social transformation, via the will and zeal of the people. For the moment, a common perception of the masses is that Nigeria would need drastic shaking before a social transition can come about. Managing the Nigerian economy satisfactorily would be a prelude to managing a social transition without stress or surprises.
Dr Amirize is a retired lecturer from the Rivers State University, Port Harcourt.
Bright Amirize
This is an open letter to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike.
Your Excellency,
Sir, ordinarily, I would not be writing an open letter to you, but like a wise man once said, “Silence would be Treason.” So I prefer to stay alive than face the consequences of silence in the face of crime. With each passing day, and as the socio-political tides continue to turn, it has become more pertinent that more people speak up in a concerted MANNER to prevent the death of our party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as we appear to be, in the words of W. B. Yeats, “turning and turning in the widening gyre” heading for an end where the falcon will no longer hear the falconer
It is unfortunate that since losing control of the Federal Government, with the loss of President Goodluck Jonathan at the poll in 2015, our party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has continued on a downward spiral. It is much more painful, that where it is expected that leaders within the party should rise to the challenge and put an end to this decline of our great party, some have instead taken up roles as its undertaker.
It will be hypocritical to claim aloofness to what I believe is your grouse with the PDP and I am not a hypocrite. It will be uncharitable on my part to discountenance the role you have played in strengthening the PDP from 2015 up until the last Presidential primaries of the party. It is my belief that your grouse against certain members of the party who you perceived worked against the party and abandoned it in 2015 and then came around much later to take control of the party, is justified. Also know that your decision to remain in the Party and stifle its progress on the other hand, as a sort of payback, stands condemned. For a man of your pedigree and stature, it is a dishonorable act, highly dishonorable and stands as testimony against all you claim to stand for.
At least, it can be argued that those who you hold this grudge against, abandoned the party completely and did not sit back while actively working to destroy it from within. But what then can be the argument on your own part, seeing that those you are currently working with against your party are the same people who set in motion, and executed surgically, the plans that not only ended our Party’s leadership at the centre, but ended up dislodging the first Niger Deltan to occupy Aso Rock as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. Is this not akin to “cutting off one’s nose to spite one’s face?” That will be worse than folly. Let us not throw away the baby with the bath water because we do not like the soap used in bathing the baby. It will be a grave mistake.
Honourable Minister, sir, it is rather unfortunate that of all people, you have also decided to play the role of an undertaker not only for our party, but for our dear Rivers State.
I will like to take you down memory lane a little. Let me remind you of your emergence as Guber candidate of the PDP in Rivers State, against all fairness and justice in 2014. You will remember that despite the reality being that you as an Ikwerre man was poised to replace a fellow Ikwerre man in Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi in our multiethnic state, Rivers people overwhelmingly stood by you and pushed for your emergence as Executive Governor of Rivers State in 2015. I dare say that your popularity in the entire Niger Delta region was at an all-time high at this point.
I want you to understand why you were loved across board leading to your eventual emergence as Governor of Rivers State in 2015; it was because when it looked like all were against the second term ambitions of the first Niger Delta man to emerge as President of Nigeria, you became not just a pillar but a beacon of resistance by standing for Goodluck Jonathan. Rivers people, as grateful and rewarding as they can be, paid you back by ensuring your electoral victory against the incumbent All Progressives Congress (APC) led by your predecessor. On your emergence, where there were second term Governors in the region, you, a first term Governor, was seen by the people as not just the leader of the PDP, but the leader of the entire Niger Delta region. You earned it, and no one could dispute it.
In 2019, when your re-election bid was being challenged ferociously, Rivers people once again stood solidly behind you. Many were killed in the process of defending your votes. Do you remember Dr. Ferry Gberegbe that was shot and killed while trying to protect your votes in Khana Local Government Area? There are many more unnamed and unrecognised sons and daughters of Rivers State who sacrificed their lives so that you could emerge as a second term Governor of Rivers State.
In 2022/23, Honourable Minister, you oversaw a party primary across board that saw some candidates imprisoned and internal party democracy jettisoned for your wishes, leading to the emergence of flag bearers of our party all singlehandedly picked by you. You have on more than one occasion publicly stated that you paid for all their forms. Even those shortchanged in this process licked their wounds and continued to play their roles as party members to ensure the success of the party at all levels. In what will go down as one of the most keenly contested elections in recent Rivers history, with formidable candidates like Senator Magnus Abe of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Mr Tonye Cole of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the vibrant youth driven Labour Party (LP), PDP emerged victorious across board except for Phalga Constituency 1 that was lost to the Labour Party. (Not that you did not loose in some other LGA’s but let’s stick to the official figures declared by INEC).
It begs the question, why then do you want to burn down Rivers State, when everyone who now holds political office emerged through a process designed and endorsed by you? Is it that you do not care about Rivers people and you are all about yourself? If so, I am forced to believe that those around you are not telling you the truth. The truth being that in a state where your words were law; where houses and businesses could be demolished or closed down without any recourse to legalities, where Executive Orders could be deployed to stifle the opposition, that your popularity is now at an all-time low. Probably because they are afraid of you, or of losing the benefits they gain from you, they fail to tell you that what you might perceive as a battle against your successor, has slowly but gradually degenerating into a battle against Rivers State and Rivers people. You know, there is a popular saying that, a man can cook for the community and the community will finish the food, but when a community decides to cook for one man, the reverse is the case.
LEAVE FUBARA ALONE
You have gone on and on about being betrayed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara. You point fingers forgetting that some of those same fingers quick to spot betrayals point straight back at you. It is not Governor Fubara that has betrayed the PDP by working against it in the just concluded General Election, and working with the opposition at the State and Federal level to destabilise the party. It is you, Honourable Minister. It is not Governor Fubara that betrayed Rivers people by instigating a political crisis with propensity to escalate ethnic tensions in Rivers State. It is you Honourable Minister. It is not Governor Fubara that has declared himself God over all in Rivers State and has no qualms with burning the state to the ground to prove a point. It is you Honourable Minister. It is you Honourable Minister who told the world that the APC was a cancer and you can never support a cancerous party. It is you Honourable Minister who ended up facilitating the emergence of the same “cancerous” APC that has accelerated the economic decline of this country and further impoverished our people with no remorse. All so you can be a Minister of the Federal Capital Territory? The lack of self awareness is gobsmacking.
Some days back I came across a video where you talked about death and how you do not cry when you hear about the death of some people because you have no idea what might have caused it considering many a politician swear “over dead bodies” and still go back on their words. Those words made me think, and I could see the reason behind them. You see, in chosing to be God in the affairs of Rivers people, you have closed your eyes and ears to reason; you see nothing and hear nothing that can cause you to rethink on the path you have chosen. In your quest to “show Fubara” you have unwittingly united a vast majority of Rivers people behind him, so much that even those who despised him because of you, now like or love him, because of you too. In your scheming, I will advise you not to forget that “the voice of the people is the voice of God”.
Note that the war which you have or are waging against Governor Fubara, has gone beyond being merely political as you might see in your minds eye. It is now one that, fortunately for some and unfortunately for others, has evolved into a war against Rivers people. It is good to point out that no one has taken a stand against Rivers people and won. No one has gone against God and won. In your defiant characteristic manner, it will be unfortunate if you believe your own hubris and that of those around you on the possibility of you being the first to successfully go against Rivers people. It will be a needless gamble; one where if you win you create more enemies for yourself than you can withstand on your political journey, and if you lose, your legacy becomes an inglorious and irredeemable one in Rivers State, the Niger Delta, and Nigeria at large. For your sake as regards posterity, it is my greatest wish that you have a moment of sobriety and a deep reflection and introspection on this path you have chosen.
Honourable Minister, sir, what is left of your legacy is on the brink of being completely desecrated and relegated to the dustbin of our political history, and it will be a sad end to what I will say has been a wonderful political career that many can only dream of. The ball is in your court, and may God Almighty have mercy on us all and forgive us for our shortcomings.
Gabriel Baritulem Pidomson
Dr Pidomson is former Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt and former member, Rivers State House of Assembly.
In 2015, I made a conscious decision to invest my financial resources, my time, and energy into supporting Nyesom Wike’s gubernatorial campaign. I poured my heart and soul into ensuring Nyesom Wike emerged victorious even at the risk of my personal safety.
Again in 2019, I doubled down on my commitment. I invested a significant amount of money to procure campaign outfits for all twenty-three Local Governments Areas of Rivers State. I spared no expense in supplementing Wike’s election efforts in my own local government, and once again putting myself at great risk to safeguard the fairness and transparency of the electoral process.
However, despite my unwavering loyalty and sacrifices, I found myself abandoned and forgotten by Wike. Throughout his eight-year tenure, he failed to acknowledge my contributions or fulfill his promises and agreements. Even as a former Deputy Governor, Wike denied me my severance benefit.
My investment in Wike’s governorship was not just financial – it was a commitment of passion, dedication, and belief in a better future for Rivers State. Yet, his leadership style of dishonesty, greed, drunkenness and rash abuse of senior citizens brought me nothing but disappointment, misery and losses.
By the grace of God, today I speak not as a victim, but as a hero. I have accepted my losses, and I have moved on. And as I reflect on my experience, I cannot help but urge Wike to do the same and allow peace and development to reign in Rivers State.
Nyesom Wike, when you speak of investing in Governor Sim Fubara’s election, remember those like me who also invested in you. Remember the sacrifices I made, the risks I took, and the promises and agreements you left unfulfilled.
It is time for you, Wike, to let go of the past and allow Governor Sim Fubara the breathing space he needs to lead Rivers State forward. Allow him to focus on the challenges of good governance and the aspirations of the people. Spare him these unwarranted and ill-conceived political manoeuvrings founded on personal agenda and not for general good of Rivers State and her people.
I may have lost my investment on Wike, but I have not lost hope in the future of Rivers State. And together, we will continue to strive for a brighter tomorrow.
Long Live the Governor to Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara!
Long Live the Good People of Rivers State!!
Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!
Engr Ikuru is former Deputy Governor of Rivers State.
Tele Ikuru
