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Not For The Money …Why I Should Be A Senator
In the November 2008 electoral process that ushered in serving President Barack Obama of the United States of America (USA) in January, 2009, it was very easy to quantify the real value of an average US senator, not so much for the money, which many thought each earned in salaries and allowances, but for the mental alertness, patriotism, indebt knowledge of the American environment and the peoples hopes and fears, all enhanced by countless research works deliberately sponsored to address various national concerns.
With that background, and equipped with such priceless knowledge and know-how in public policy and politics, senators are very often the highest crop of presidential materials in nearly every American presidential electoral process as do governors.
In the Democratic fray of the last experience, for instance, nearly all front-runners were distinguished senators. There were Senators Hilary Clinton, Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and John Edwards, as pack leaders before Obama emerged flag bearer to fly the party’s flag. In fact, those occupying the top two positions in the US government are all senators Barack Obama, President and Joe Biden, Vice President, just as Obama’s Republican challenger, John MacCain of Arizona, was a Senator at the contest.
Four years earlier in 2004, during former President George Walker Bush’s re-election drive, his Democratic Party opponent was John Kerry, also a Senator, as was Kerry’s running mate John Edwards. All senators.
Yes, former President, Bill Clinton was Arkansas Governor before becoming US President as was Bush of the State of Texas but the political mind-field was usually loaded with distinguished senators who fought themselves to limelight not for the money, but for service laced by sheer dint of hardwork, rock solid patriotism and track record of personal sacrifices to a nation they truly love far, far more than their individual pockets.
Expectedly, in 2008, there was, on the Republican divide, another distinguished Senator John MacCain who as party flag bearer was supported by Alaska Governor and hockey mum, Sarah Palin.
For their legislative pedigree and thorough grasp of key defining issues, senators quite naturally add quality to presidential debates when they are in the race for the US Presidency.
Let’s retrospect awhile. On Thursday, October 23, 2008, in one of my former Columns, Soye Wilson Jamabo On Thursday, and published 12 days to the November 4 elections, I had in the final paragraph of the piece predicted:
“Tight as the race has become in these last days; the occasional goofs of Democratic Vice Presidential Candidate, Joe Biden notwithstanding, unless the unimaginable happens, Senator Barack Obama is likely to emerge president-elect by November 4. That is if in addition, Obama remains focused and not waste time in defence of the chokes about Joe The Plumber.
Titled, Before America Votes The Chokes, Chuckles, Chances, Choices, when that work was published, gallop polls showed that the Republican candidate, Senator John MacCain was ahead of Obama in popularity with 51 percent approval rating as against Obama’s 46 with barely 3 percent undecided votes, thanks to the Joe the Plumber metaphor manufactured by Senator MacCain’s campaign team to highlight the dangers of Obama’s planned tax cuts for the low income earners and increased taxation for thriving businesses and how that could also hurt struggling small business owners.
Obama’s taxes were targeted at the super rich multi-nationals who, rather than engage American workers outsourced jobs abroad, all for the money, a step which MacCain criticized as not only capable of hurting the US economy and cause more job losses but virtually sweep away struggling small businesses like that of Joe The Plumber.
Because both contestants appreciated burning national issues, matter of factly, which in fact drove the campaigns, Obama took time off to address job losses in more statistical manner when, he recalled that 760,000 jobs had been lost in five of Bush’s eight years dual tenure, leaving several Americans without health insurance coverage, a debilitating mortgage melt-down and a Wall Street economic misadventure that held the promise of a global economic recession, and later did.
Those negative achievements by the Bush Presidency, a Republican, indeed gave Democrats pre-electoral advantage but to the average American voter, what was required to earn votes was not just to highlight the failures of the past regime but the articulation of what concrete plans to right such wrongs. And the US senators it did appear knew that better.
So, in that election year, since the defining issues were the economy, increasing job losses, exit plan for US troops from Iraq and Afghanistan, healthcare coverage, internal security and indeed better organized War on Terror, Americans expected the best of the contesting senators.
Aware of all those, a very well equipped Senator Obama employed clear message, flawless oratory, sensible rhetoric rooted in soothing rhyme and reason; a rock star-type popularity, empathy with the average voter and a rare charisma as his own lethal political weapons right from the Democratic Party primaries up till the last lap of the general elections.
On the other hand, it was a big marvel to many, how the aging but clearly tireless Prisoner Of War (POW) managed to withstand all the odds against him, knowing how so politically attached he had been to former President Bush. For instance, Senator MacCain was known to have stood with Bush on Iraq, Tax Cuts for the industry giants and even on health insurance coverage. These painful recalls left many Republicans disillusioned, more particularly, MacCain’s obvious inability to distance himself from Bush, most part of the campaigns until the Joe The Plumber knock-out. Many had expected him to present a workable economic plan quite different from Bush’s failed attempts; sell his running mate a fresh face, Sarah Palin as true agent of change, question Obama’s records and relationship with men of questionable character and known America haters and indeed probe his source of financing. Since sex and colour defined the process also, a woman as vice ought to be used as a weapon of change to counter Obama’s Change slogan.
Those, MacCain failed to do initially, but when he finally found his voice, as true a senator would, the senator from Arizona replied Obama, “I am not George Bush, if you wanted to contest against Bush, you would have done so four years ago”, MacCain reacted swiftly to counter Obama’s allusion that a vote for MacCain meant four more years of George Bush’s failed policies and leadership. And did the Arizona Senator leap from bottom to tops in polls?
That was how distinguished senators in the US enriched political debates, and helped define electoral issues as often does the American media. But with all their sense of service, patriotism, rare statesmanship, undying desire to leave behind a better world, a commitment to other’s welfare and determination to ensure a free press, which they believe is a pre-requisite to a successful democracy, their salaries and allowances are not as fabulous as one would naturally imagine, at least not as that of the Nigerian senators.
That is why my ambition to become a US Senator may be put on hold. I can hear the reader ask how in God’s name can My Agony become an American Senator? If a smooth talking son of a Kenyan scholarship student can become US President, why can’t I, a senator? But I’d rather be a Nigerian Senator, not for the money, though reject, I won’t.
The average Nigerian senator does not need to engage a university professor or accomplished researchers and experts in various technical areas, to probe into national maladies or waste precious time fighting unnecessary legislative wars in defence of the welfare of ordinary civil servants or Nigerians who, so ungrateful, are never content with earning ‘A WHOLE’ N7,500 minimum wage.
Just imagine, only recently, as much as N18,000 minimum wage was approved for workers, and rather than stage solidarity walk in support of Nigerian senators, they have been busy probing into the take-home pay of Nigerian senators.
I wonder, if the people truly know the awesome powers of a senator, if they did, they would not be clapping for the Central Bank Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi for his “trackless exposé” of how much goes to the men and women of the National Assembly and who, when ordered to apologise, remained defiant. Do they know that a law is a law whether good or bad? And awesome that power, senators have?
Do they know that even the almighty executive arm of government, headed by Mr President himself requires senators’ approval to spend public funds and if that’s the case, how could such be allowed without including the senators’ bit to spend?
Although not for the money, that’s one of the reasons I would like to become a senator. Little work, more pay, little charity and with such advantage why do I need to waste my huge monthly earnings contesting the Presidency because US Senators do so. Isn’t that waste of time? What one needs to do as a senator is to make the necessary laws that would guarantee my automatic return to the Halloweth chambers every four years and smile to the bank, but not for the money.
My Agony is that no serving Nigerian senator has seen himself worthy enough to become president and help enrich national discourse as most American senators do every election year, the main reason for my attraction to the senate. Not for the money as many senators have made Nigerians to believe.
Because it’s not for the money, I’ll wait until the average Nigerian senator’s monthly pay is slashed to N1 million and N13 million per annum, sans constituency project funds and overseas travels. That’s when, a senator, I shall become.
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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.