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Conscience, Wound So Deep That Akunyili’s Therapy
Truth comes in various moulds; As suppressed human gas or pollutant in public, even during a church service; a potent advance team for true reconciliation between two and among peoples; a symbol of repentance and preparedness for lowly restitution; an essential healing balm for wounds inflicted on the mind or simply a guilty conscience and sometimes just as the truth. In all its forms however, it is usually, a priceless commodity that attracts scorn or praise, enmity or friendship, love or hatred, honour or horror.
In most of its raw forms, it tastes sour in the mouths of those without integrity but to the honourable, a tasty cake of courage.
Being a rare commodity, especially among people of deep moral depravity, it requires a little more than raw courage to voice it during conflicts, particularly, when, individuals’ ambition, needs and fears are at play, but even moreso, when one is in minority, . At such times, to speak the truth is to endanger one’s socio-political status, juicy accruements to such high public office and or even risk ones own life.
This is why in matters of pressing national concerns, the truth is often elusive among those, society normally depends upon to voice it. Have Nigerians not simply forgotten ‘June 12’ and Abiola, the metaphor of our electoral success, which this country gladly jettisoned?
Uptill this day, the real reasons for the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential elections, largely believed to have been won by Late Chief Moshood Abiola still remain a guided secret among people who apparently required more of the kind of integrity needed to force out the truth.
And now, for more that 80 days today, Nigerians have witnessed another impasse, of mainly constitutional enactment of squinting meanings and expressions, which mainly integrity, honour and indeed the truth could very easily address. In my last treatise titled 2 Winners Same Silver Coin published Monday, February 1, 2010, (same back page) I laid bare the constitutional conflict and detailed claims of and quarrels between the competiting parties and would not wish to bore you with a repeat of those luried details. Suffice it to say that President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, according to section 145 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution ought to have exercised the discretion of transmitting to the National Assembly a letter to cover his long absence, a move which alone could have empowered a Vice to serve as Acting President. That, the ailing president did not do before traveling to Saudi Arabia in November, last year due to serious health concerns, and has been there, ever since.
Ironically, the same constitution also spells out how a president and his vice can cease to function in office on health grounds. Section 144 puts a key part of that process in the hands of the office holder , in Yar’Adua’s case, the Executive Council of the Federation ,a body of ministers appointed by him, otherwise also known as the Federal Executive Council (FEC). That body was largely trusted to unveil the truth of the President’s health condition and save the nation all the suspense, political heat, conflicts, litigations and even disruption of key national needs and expectations.
But the ministers met, brain-stormed awhile and emerged with the assurance that the president was hail and hearty. But sadly, that was not the whole truth because none of them at the time had seen the ailing Commander-in-Chief, at least not within the period of the conflict. Yet they told an agitated public that the President was well and would return to his presidential duties last week. The president never did. Yet their resolve remained, to keep hanging on, if for nothing else, prevent the displacement of the status quo. Simply, keep their jobs.
But the unwanted truth still remained that the president ought to have transmitted to the National Assembly reasons for his long absence and not hold the federation to ransom, as most ministers willed it .
In the midst of these mistimed betrayal of trust, one minister gave Nigerians a reason to hope and believe in their own country, using the truth as a potent healing balm to mend whatever damage that might have been done to the minds of many.
Among the lot, Prof Dora Akunyili, the Minister of Information and Communications, it was who stood out to whisper, as it were, that much as she treasures the relationship between her boss and herself, she still thinks that it will amount to loving her country less if she chose to hide the truth, simply to save her job. That the president should transmit a letter of his health condition to the National Assembly, to enable his Vice to act, pending his return, a view which many of her ministerial ilk considered sacrilegious and shouted her, down. Of course, the body of ministers has repeatedly argued that such a step was not necessary, since the vice president was already performing the duties of the president. But how true?
Could VP Jonathan order the long awaited reconstitution of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)? Could VP Jonathan swear-in the substantive Chief Justice of the Federation? Can VP Jonathan sign the 2010 appropriation bill, if and when passed into law by the National Assembly? Or can Vice President Jonathan sack the present Federal Executive Council on grounds of poor service delivery and appoint another set of ministers?
More importantly, can VP Jonathan declare war on an aggressive neigbour- nation in protection of our territory without some lawyer dragging him to one of the many high courts?
Many, if not all of the ministers had answers to these and many more worrisome questions but none wished to shift grounds for many reasons, none of which could be tied to love for one’s country, but key of which, Methinks, is to maintain the status quo: I hope am wrong.
It is in this perspective that Dora Akunyili’s rare display of statesmanship, honour, integrity and patriotism can be appreciated.
But lets ponder a while. Were Yar’Adua a vindictive leader, and miraculously returns today from Saudi Arabia, Can Akunyili be sure of her ministerial job? Will Nigerians, particularly her ministerial colleagues not label her courage, a betrayal and she a villain? Will she not be seen as a political ingrate who abandoned her political benefactor in times of trials and tribulations?
But such is the nature and complexity which truth conjures, love or hatred, friendship or enmity, honour or horror.
That indeed is the nature of the bold steps Akunyili has taken for love of country but at great risk to her political career. Happily, some are gradually gearing-up to share of her praise and be decorated as co-patriots.
This is how role models are made; great characters who, at all times necessary, are willing to risk their personal needs for societal good, those not scared of shunning phoney successes and instead risk failure for integrity sake and above all, help teach others what honesty means.
Dora reminds me of a charming brilliant youngman during my primary school days, who denied my school, Ogoloma Town School, Ogoloma in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State the honour of lifting the golden trophy of an annual busy-bee competition, very early, in the 70’s.
As leader of our school’s spelling team of three, the young woman had correctly spelt all words put to her in the contest to defeat the opposing side, at least so we all thought, because after each spelling attempt, the moderator would scream either ‘right’ or ‘wrong’. So, all spectators and participants alike, knew the count.
But something strange happened. In the end, after our school had won the finals by a single point against our opponents just when we thought our lead representative was going to lift the trophy, she instead approached the moderator and made a confession. That she had misspelt the word,’COMPETITIVENESS’ as COMPETETIVENESS, a slip which no judge noticed and in tears told the judges that she did not deserve the victory. And so, rather than slave under the heavy weight of a guilty conscience, she chose to speak the truth, even if that singular action denied our school the trophy, and she, the cash prize of 20 pounds.
Such is the nature of some truths, and Dora Akunyili’s, no less so. But My Agony is that Nigeria’s long corridor of power has never been in short supply of sycophants, professional praise-singers and talented mischief makers who would insist and succeed in painting the former NAFDAC Heroine in dull colours of a betrayer, bureaucratic thorn-coat and political harlot. And to that, would many scream, ‘yes’, only to be relevant.
But like one who tries to suppress excess gas, after consuming a large pot of beans porage, softened by Akanwu (calcium carbonate), the truth of her patriotism shall someday, reverberate and set free, a morally depraved lot in our polity. When? That I can’t tell.
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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.