FEATURE ARTICLE

Temple Chima UbochiFriday, December 19, 2008
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Bonn, Germany

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THE RECONSTITUTED YARÁDUA´S CABINET

Where your talents and the needs of the world cross, there lies your vocation. (Aristotle)
Concealed talent brings no reputation. [Lat., Occultae musices nullus respectus.] (Desiderius Gerhard Erasmus)
Tremendous amounts of talent are lost to our society just because that talent wears a skirt. (Shirley Chisholm)
You are free to choose, but the choices you make today will determine what you will have, be, and do in the tomorrow of your life.(Zig Zigler)
The knife that is sharp has no handle and the one that has handle is not sharp. (Nmä di nkö enweghi isi ma nke nwere isi adighi nkö) (Igbo Proverb)
A child that removed his/her mouth from the mother’s breast should not later turn round to accuse the mother of not wanting to breast feed him/her (Nwata wepürü onu ya na arä nne ya, emesikwala si na nne ya enyeghi ya arä) (Igbo Proverb)


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aving read the portfolio assigned to each of the minister; I know now that anybody expecting a change for the better in Nigeria within the next one or two years will be disappointed. This government is a confused one; YarÁdua doesn’t know what he is doing being there. Each time I thnk that things will change for the better; all of a sudden, the hope will be dashed.

First of all, I lost all hopes with the administration and the ministers appointed when Michael Kaase Aoondakaa, Shamsudeen Usman (very incompetent) and Allison-Madueke were retained. I still can’t see the reason Rilwanu Lukman was appointed a minister at his age; YarÁdua would have done it better, had he appointed Lukman´s son as a minister than the old man that has served virtually all governments since 1983. Why recycling one person over and over again?

The Publicity Secretary of the CNPP, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, summed it up when he said that it was disheartening that Yar’Adua opted for old hands as ministers rather than vibrant people. Adding that the performance level of the President himself was an indicator that the ministers might not do well! He went further by saying that he doesn’t see them bringing a new idea to reinvigorate the cabinet. So, there would be no difference. If President Yar‘Adua is not performing, no minister can perform, no matter his or her credential. Concluding that many of them are too old and unfit for the job because they preferred old men to younger generation that are vibrant!

With the human resources this country has, many of these men and women can’t be the best the country can offer. YarÁdua is not serious by appointing mediocre and assigning them ministries they are not qualified to head because they are northerners while assigning qualified and competent hands from the south to wrong ministries. Odey has nothing to do with environment, he is a media expert, at least he was once the national publicity secretary of PDP; Shettima Mustapha and Ademola Seriki are wrong hands in the Ministry of Defence because of their lack of defense policy and strategy expertise, retired General Godwin Abbe is in that cabinet and should have been appointed the defense Minister. On the other hand, ex-governors Adamu Aliero (Kebbi) and Egwu (Ebonyi) as the former chief security officers of their respective state, should have fitted in better in defence.

The most sensitive seven ministries with huge budgets were assigned to Northerners. We have in Defence (Mustapha), Finance (Mansur Muktar), National Planning (Shamsudeen Usman, who is also Deputy Chairman of the National Planning Commission), Works and Housing (Hassan M. Lawal), Petroleum (Rilwanu Lukman), Federal Capital Development (Aliero), and Transport (Ibrahim Bio).

The most vexed part of it all is the appointment of Dora Akunyili as the Information and Communications Minister. Dora as a pharmacist deserves better portfolio than she got. I was expecting Dora to be appointed into the health ministry, either as a senior or junior minister. Instead of this portfolio she was given, she should have stayed at NAFDAC. This appointment is a waste of talent. Look at how they want to turn this virtuous woman into their spin doctor that will lead her into lying to defend a clueless regime. They are only going to succeed in wasting this woman’s talent. Why didn’t YarÁdua assigned her to any other ministry where her talent, resoluteness and determination will be well utilised? She should have been better off in a place like health or education or works or labour. Her appointment might have been made in bad faith to remove her from the place she has worked so hard and made good name for herself and her commission.

Dora is one of the best Nigerians living and the woman stands for: integrity, hardwork, sincerity, commitment to a purpose, intelligence and humility. It is a pity that the man claiming to be ruling Nigeria doesn’t want to utilise all these attributes in Dora by keeping her where she is supposed to be.

YarÁdua should not turn round tomorrow to accuse the appointees of not performing after assigning most of them to wrong ministry.

No matter what Dora said afterwards about the portfolio given to her, she only tried to put a brave face on it all as she can’t criticise the portfolio in the open; she must have been disappointed about it also.

I dint want to comment on the ministerial appointments because I have written off this government for long. But John Kalu and Okey Muoh wrote me on the subject. I then decided to put up this article.

JOHN KALU WROTE:

Dear Temple,

Good day to you. I know you must have seen the new ministers and their portfolios. What is striking is the appointment of Dora Akunyili the NAFDAC chairman as the Information Minister. I think, this is a deliberate plot to remove that woman from NAFDAC and redeploy her where she will be irrelevant. If she doesn't want to be corrupted by Aso Rock, she should resign immediately. Thanks and happy Xmas and New Year in advance.

John

OKEY MUOH WROTE:

Nwanne,

Look at the latest ministerial appointees-

Why prejudice and stereotype the Igbos? Why is Prof. Dora Akunyili the information minister when there is greater need for her at health or education or even national planning with her experience?

Also check the rest of the Igbo ministers; they will work in compromised departments.

A lady who couldn’t fix roads was given mines and steel..... . Maybe power?

We need to salvage our interest and manage our destiny.

Regards Okey Muoh

This is what I wrote in my article as back as May 8, 2008:

“YarÁdua will re-shuffle his cabinet in the next few days, if his ill health permits. My premonition tells me that Prof Nkem Dora Akunyili will get a ministerial slot, probably to replace Prof. Grange at the health ministry, (although I would love her to remain as the NAFDAC director-general, because, she touches and saves more lives at her current post than she would as a minister”.

A NOTE FROM A READER

Oladejo Titilope sent me this and copied it also to Anthony Okosun (a fellow writer):

CAN TWO WALK TOGETHER UNLESS THEY AGREE?

“This is to support you people's ideas concerning our great country, Nigeria and to go through you to make my opinion reach other well meaning Nigerians.

The way things are in Nigeria is not making majority of the citizens happy whether at home or abroad. Therefore, everyone is looking forward to see who, when, where, and how things will be brought back to normal. The question everyone is asking is, "When will things start to work the way they are supposed to be".

The word of God says, "You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free". For any change to come, people must be truthful to themselves. The country called Nigeria is made up of three distinct ethnic groups- Yoruba, lgbo, Hausa.-therefore, cannot be compared with the great nations of the world where they speak only one language and if any other exists, it will be minority. Each region has her beliefs and values and God endowed each with resources they can tap and use for the benefit of the people of the region and the entire population in general. God created everyone and everything and nobody has the power to determine where he/she should be born. This same God warns against covetousness, "You shall not covet your neighbour's property or anything that belong to your neighbour”. Since these nations are not the same, they should have a way of governing themselves that will protect the interest of each region. They can be remitting money to the federal purse for any federal capital project.

The rule of law can be made effective and instead of robbing Peter to pay Paul, each region will make use of their talents to develop their area. It will be easier to reach people at the local level.

Government should be decentralized in order to put an end to all these problems. There will be no room for looting of the nation's money. The kings in their domains will be more responsible to their subjects instead of marrying to the federal government to get contracts and gifts thereby selling their people's rights for their selfish ends. There will be discipline and people will work together as one. There will not be cheating and oppression.

We have to be realistic with ourselves; though religion and government are two different entities, but there is no way that what you believe in will not have greater effect on the way and manner of governance. This is where most Nigerians are missing it. Christianity has its laws that guide the Christians, while Islam has its laws too that guide the Moslems. Let the government of the day face this reality once and for all and let them call the regions together to present their laws. Anyone that should be specific to a particular region, let it be and the one that should be general, let it be and must be well published so that everybody will have access to it, that is,- Regional constitution and Federal constitution.

The Supreme Court should be the highest law making body and should be above the presidency itself. No one should be above the law whether president, governor, minister, commissioner, V.P, king, queen, senator, chairman, counsellor, pastor, lmam, Alhaji, Alhaja or whatever, rich or poor. The law is for everybody without exception. God is no respecter of anyone and there is no partiality with Him.

Each region must have their own police and work together with the federal police. Let each region supply their own electricity, water, health care, education, tarred roads. All roads whether-A, B or C, MUST be tarred with proper drainage in place because the road that is not tarred will be the one to spoil the tarred ones! This will lessen the problem at the federal level and there will not be loopholes for the looters.

If anyone is against this, such is the enemy of progress, a liar, and the father of such is the devil. Once we believe we can stay together as a nation, then the right thing must be done. We should stop creating loopholes to waste public resources and the time is now. The earlier we do it, the better, because delay can be dangerous and procrastination is the thief of time. The interest of every citizen must be protected. It is then we can talk about PEACE and PROGRESS.

Why use quota system to favour a particular set of people? Why should NYSC be made compulsory, why not optional? Can't they serve in their town or state of origin? Shall we continue to lose the leaders of tomorrow in the hands of the nonentities all in the name of one nation? Why JAMB self? Why not leave the institutions the way they were in the 60s and early 70s when each normally conducted its examination? Now, what is the result? Examination malpractices, bribe to gain admission, students performing below expectation etc. Where are the public libraries of those days? What about the farm settlements? How on earth should they tunnel oil from lgbo land to the north if not for greed? It is nothing but cheating. You give to others out of your abundance as you wish. How can you share of other people's inheritance? What belong to people belong to them and nobody can query that. That is stealing and a slap on the face of the owners. That is the reason why armed robbery is the order of the day. Taking what does not belong to you by force and you want to go scot free. Ha, ha, ha, it is not done. Why is it that they think they can continue to suffer the masses for just no cause? The wealth of each region belongs to everyone in the region, while they can now share with others from their abundance. It is not an accident to be born in a place. Why should trailers be parked on the roads that belong to everybody? Why should a group of people just decide to make life difficult for others? These are the reason why people should rise up and fight for their right at all levels. There must be an end to injustice, oppression and greed.

I’m not surprised at all. You can't expect anything good from the children of Satan. They always carry out the work of their father, the devil perfectly. The thief comes not but for to steal, to kill and to destroy. We've all seen how many lives that have been wasted in all disciplines just because of truth, so that their lies can stay! They are joking, the truth shall prevail. The struggle continues and we shall win in Jesus name. Infact, for the sake of the present typical Nigeria children and the ones yet unborn, God will arise for our help in order to lay a good foundation for them.

The government that changed the police uniform from blue/ navy blue to black/ black removed from them the garment of glory and put on them the garment of shame and reproach. Since that time the police force has been polluted, therefore, instead of being friends to the people, they turned them to be enemies. They have been initiated to work for Satan. No amount of words can change them. What they need is true deliverance and total reorganisation. Their efforts have greater effect on the entire nation. Igbo police can easily catch up with the people in their region. The same thing will be applicable in Yoruba and Hausa regions and they will work together with the federal police. Let this be done, we will see peace reigning in all the regions because the people at the grass root will feel the effect of government positively. There will not be loopholes any longer. The House of Reps will stop fighting on salaries and bonuses, because the money might have been used to better the condition of the general populace rather than being used by these few to enrich themselves and that of family members. There will be accessibility to every area because each local government in each region will work with all its capability. The construction of road in a local government in lgbo region will not be given to one Alhaji who resides in Abuja. It will be given to lgbo civil engineer. It will create jobs for our people and the youths shall be kept busy, hence, we save their souls from armed robbery, drug trafficking and prostitution. An idle hand is the devil's workshop. It will decongest the urban centres. Then you see smile on the face of a typical Nigerian. We need to be free. Life of slavery is not life at all.

There is no amount of preaching on TOLERANCE that can change the mind of a typical Hausa against Yoruba or lgbo and vice versa. The truth is that we are three nations that agreed to come together as one. Therefore, we should see ourselves like that and protect the interest of each region like that. Let us stop deceiving and being deceived. We are not one and that is why it is difficult to impose things unnecessarily on people. There are things that the Hausas can do in Yoruba land and get away with it that if lgbo or Yoruba should do it in Hausa land, they will be in for it. Why should Yoruba or lgbo be given jobs on contract basis in the north? Why should a provost of a college in the north dismissed a student for hogging another student-an opposite sex- after seeing the result of an examination, claiming that it is against his religion, when the bible even recognises a holy kiss. Isn’t it barbaric? So what is wrong in that?

Why the need for regional and federal constitution? We want to see the Nigeria of old days -How Pa Obafemi Awolowo, Pa Nnamdi Azikiwe and Pa Tafawa Balewa did it without enriching themselves but what they did still continue to speak for themselves. There is no perfect human being but we can learn from other people's mistakes and experiences and then use it to move forward by making the good thing better and the better thing best.

Let this be done, we will have respect for one-another. Those abroad will like to come back home and those at home will not like to travel abroad except for a visit. Each region might have developed her tourist centres to the maximum then. Infact, life will be meaningful because people will be occupied with good things and each region will make judicious use of their talents to develop their area.

It is not the number of years in office that matters, but how good and sincere we are in putting things in the right places. The best is to do things right, then we make God happy. God hates oppression and the earlier we do away with it, the better.

The U.S constitution is based on the word of God and it is boldly written at the back of the U.S college dictionary. They believe in freedom- the reason why God sent Jesus into the world to set people free- Is that not amazing? No wonder, America is number one country in the whole world. Jesus did not impose himself on anyone. It is a matter of choice. The reason why America does not impose the religion on anyone despite the fact that it is truly God's own country. But one thing is sure, "You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free”. Where there is the spirit of God there is liberty. God is not an author of confusion.

Let the political scientists and analysts, lawyers, journalists, reporters, doctors, engineers, all professionals in all fields, university dons and students arise and pull down the kingdom of Satan in Nigeria. New breed politicians should first seek the kingdom of God so that they will be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Let the God fearing people take over the position of authority. Let there be true voters and votes. Let the true servants of God preach undiluted word of God to the people. Let the journalists create awareness with the fear of God. The gap between the rich and the poor must be bridged. Electricity is the backbone of any economy. It must not be monopolised. To know the right thing to do, but fail to do it, is a sin. We must be free. The regional and federal constitution put together will put an end to all these problems and the country will wear a new look in terms of beauty and character development both within and outside the country. Where is the freedom, the peace and the unity? Let us all arise in prayer and action (positive not negative) to make a good thing better and a better thing best.

If they fail to put the regional constitution in line with the federal constitution now, they only postpone it for the next generation to do and it will be a shame on this generation. Pa Gani Fawehinmi and others cannot do it all alone. Let us all join them to move the country forward. The dreams of the well meaning Nigerians concerning this country shall be actualized to the glory of God.

Let the oil people manage their oil. Let the cocoa people manage their cocoa and the groundnut people to manage their groundnut. Let's put an end to quota system. Let there be no cheating or oppression of any kind. Let our people enjoy the minimum comfort that is desirable for mankind. If it is not now, then when? The Americans are enjoying what their forefathers have done for them. Let our present leaders stop being selfish. Let them lay good foundation for the younger generations to come and enjoy their lives too.

The value of each region matters. Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, wake up to your responsibility. Let's do it the way they did it during Awolowo time. They did not loot the nation but they discharged their duties with love. It’s a pity; he wasn't given the chance to rule the whole country. A man's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses. Let them put Nuhu Ribadu back to his seat as the chairman of EFCC. A cow does not know the value of its tail until when it is cut off. Let's learn fast now, better than before, how to appreciate our heroes in their life time, than when they are no more.

Therefore, we say NO to: OPPRESSION, POVERTY, SELFISHNESS, HUNGER, DARKNESS, INJUSTICE, INSECURITY, GREEDINESS, LACK OF DIRECTION, WASTAGE, PURPOSELESS LIFE, JOBLESSNESS, in the lives of everyone and the generation to come. God bless NIGERIA. AMEN”. (End of quote)

To sign off: In 2007, I wrote an article captioned “PROFESSOR DORA AKUNYILI: BLESSED AMONG WOMEN AND IN A CLASS OF HER OWN”. Check it out through this link:

https://nigeriaworld.com/feature/publication/ubochi/083007.html

Compliment of the season to you all. For those of us abroad that will be travelling to Nigeria: I wish you journey mercies to and fro your respective destinations. May we all find 2009 better than the preceding years!

Love you.

For so many Nigerians, the “road” is very hard to travel.
For so many Nigerians, the “pain” is too much to bear.
For so many Nigerians, the “life” is unravelling.

THE THANKS IS ALL YOURS!!!

Continued from Part IV

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