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Nigeria We Hail Thee …For That Ruling On Uduaghan
Anytime I ponder over why Nigeria jettisoned her former National Anthem and the daily unfolding political and socio-economic even judicial drama, I fall sick bemoaning what injustice we did to our dear, ‘Nigeria We Hail Thee’. Yes, our nationalists and founding fathers might have had their reasons, grounded in lofty ideals, dreams, hopes and even fears, which they had hoped that a new and home-brewed National Anthem alone could address.
In rallying Compatriots to Arise, and heed the call to serve the fatherland, our founding greats mooted a Nigeria where every citizen would have a sense of belonging, self-esteem and patriotism. They dreamt of a Nigeria that all citizens would be proud of, would stand in defence of, would be proud of and above all else, one that one and all would see as a priceless treasure to behold, nurture and protect as would a lion, his cob.
Such a Nigeria should be one in which the people determine who governs them, where, the Rule of Law is adjudged most sacrosanct, where aggrieved citizens and even foreigners would find relief in the judiciary, in a manner that such makes meaning and sets plausible standards.
With these ideals either never ever met or met half-way, the only wrongs, I find in the old national anthem are merely that it was donated to Nigeria by a foreigner, thus, the ‘agbero’-type greeting, ‘I Hail-O, and the colloquial, even biblical absurdity of the pronoun ‘Thee”.
But even in those ‘half wrongs’ can one find no serious offence of disastrous kind, because only in Nigeria does one find some of the political and only recently judicial wonders, that should naturally attract ‘We Hail Thee’ from other less endowed nations.
It is indeed only in Nigeria, for instance, where, election results are known before the contest. I once heard a local comedian joke of conversation among three nationals, an American, a Briton and a Nigerian of Hausa-Fulani extraction, where, the proud American boasted about how free and fair elections are in his country, and how results are declared within a few days, while the Briton boasted that theirs could even be ready in jut a day after. To attract the much deserved, ‘Nigeria We Hail Thee’ accolade, the Nigerian, according to the comedian, also told his listeners, “Haba, that’s too late. In Nigeria, we have the results even before the elections.’
It is only in Nigeria that it will also take a court of competent jurisdiction nearly a full political tenure of four years, to resolve that the elections in Delta State which outcome led to the swearing-in of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan as Governor on May 29, 2007 were flawed. And in fact, that, that state should not have had a governor in the first place because neither the petitioner, Mr. Great Ogboru of the Democratic Peoples Party nor the now deposed Gov. Uduaghan won the elections.
Why shouldn’t other similar agbero nations screem, ‘Nigeria We Hail Thee’? A good judicial pronouncement should apart from being based on facts and the law, naturally consider the magnitude of the displacement of the status quo and weigh the same against the threat to public peace, economic cost on the nation and state, the magnitude of injury to be suffered by litigants and also importantly, the dislocating effect such ruling could possibly have on existing laws, conventions, National programmes and projects and indeed the collective aspirations of the nation-state such law or laws are meant. Simply, weigh the consequences of such ruling.
The Court of Appeal, Benin, last Tuesday voided Uduaghan’s elections and ordered a fresh polls within 90 days (three months) following Ogboru’s petition which had dragged on since 2007 to that day. By that judgement, Delta State which had been governed by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with near absolute control of all political structures, the state Assembly and even the local government councils will now be subjected to another round of elections, different from the one all Nigerians are eagerly awaiting, which without the complaints of time by the Independent National Electoral Commission would have held in January, next year, about the same period Uduaghan should have been seeking a second term.
Going by the Nigerian’s take on elections, in his conversation with the American and the Briton, no intentional pre-emption meant, shouldn’t we know that Uduaghan has already won the re-run? That the nearly four years he spent superintending affairs of that state amount to a Christmas gift never to be counted among his constitutionally provided years as governor? That if he wins this one, and seeks re-election for four years hence, he could still enjoy another four and the total number of years would still be eight instead of 13 and half?
Why shouldn’t others scream, ‘Nigeria We Hail Thee’? As I write, the ruling PDP’s political machine is soon to move to Delta State, where, led by Mr. President, aggressive campaigns will start, in order to accept and nurture the judicial gift of 13 or so years now in the cards.
Sadly, even if Uduaghan and his party lose the elections, the former governor would gladly walk back home, happy with the gratia of the past three or so years when virtually all of his personal needs, shelter, feeding, medicals, children’s education, in the best of schools abroad and even garments were responsibilities of the state.
During the same period he also superintended over life and death. If even he had signed execution order, resulting in the official killing of death-row convicts, he goes home guiltless with not even a cock to pay in fines.
In Rivers State, Sir Celestine Omehia, did not buy nomination form to contest the 2006 governorship primaries of his party, the PDP. Others did, among them serving Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi who eventually won the intra-party polls but was denied the party’s flag.
For that reason, and the fact that there was not time enough to organise fresh primaries, then incumbent Governor Peter Odili was empowered to handpick another candidate, who became Omehia. With awesome control of the party in Rivers, even a goat would have won the election, but it was made even easier when Omehia, Amaechi’s kinsman and a lawyer was fielded.
Considered duly elected by INEC, Omehia governed Rivers State, awarded multi-billion naira contracts, some of which he paid 100 per cent upfront, enjoyed fabulous take-home pay and other freebies that go with the high office of governor and within that short period erected an architectural master-piece of a personal home at the choice GRA, in Port Harcourt.
It was only about five months later in October 2007 that the Supreme Court of Nigeria ruled that the posters of Omehia which the PDP used to win the elections were indeed Amaechi’s. That the name Omehia could not and should not have been a mile close to Brick House as governor. Yes, Omehia worked away, richer, a palatial home and an appendage of former governor which even the Supreme Court cannot wash away from the history books, least of all, in the hearts and minds of those who saw it all.
That was only less than a year, later the Ekiti example, earlier this year, a judicial sweep that wrested power from PDP, at least for the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), but that in Delta is like the peace of God which passeth all understanding.
My Agony is that with all these, many still think that Nigeria was not unfair to our former national anthem, which inspires other countries to scream, ‘Nigeria We Hail Thee’ at moments like this when we achieve the unimaginable, unthinkable and the horrible.
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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.