FORMER South African President, Thabo Mbeki was recently quoted to have said that, "ordinary Nigerians deserve as much blame as the politicians for the leadership failure in the country!" According to this man who took over the mantle of leadership from the late Nelson Mandela, it is only the citizens themselves that can put a stop to bad leadership. While many arguing about this speech, I honestly agree with the man totally.
But how do we begin to fight this demon called corruption that has eaten deep into our national fabrics? Anywhere the word corruption is mentioned, what readily comes to the mind of a typical Nigerian is those in corridors of power or the elected executives in government houses. Corruption cuts across the social strata rearing its ugly head in the markets, the motor parks, the schools, offices, hospitals....
Yet an ordinary Nigerian who's not a politician or not benefiting from a sitting government sees himself as a saint. Anytime a newspaper or magazine announces the arrest or detention of any past public office holders by the anti-graft agencies, the reactions from ordinary Nigerians are always annoying.
'Nemesis has finally caught up with them,' exclaimed a Nigerian roadside newspaper reader, who is equally a petty fraudster, short-changing the newspaper publishing houses of full payment of a copy by opting to pay peanuts to read at the vendor's kiosk. Roadside subscriptions are never credited to the publishing houses. But the road side readers never seen themselves as part of the corruption loop!
Those corrupt public office holders were once part of us. They didn't grow those traits when they got to the corridors of power. I am beginning to think that we hate those traits because when we look at our leaders, we see a mirror and standing in front of a mirror can be a very devastating if you don't look too good. Yeah, our leaders are mirrors who terrorize us with images of ourselves we'll rather not deal with!
Fact is, not many of us can claim never to have benefited from one corrupt process or the other and not many of us realize that the more corrupt we get, the more hardship we face in pursuit of survival. I had writing earlier that those empowering us to the detriment of our future aren't helping us. We buy certificates for our wards; send them to school with public funds and get them employed at all cost and even to the detriment of the more qualified ones. God have mercy!
It's a weird world where all is subject to natural justice and it's really so sad, because if this trend goes unchecked our coming generation will not only be facing unimaginable hardship but may find peace a luxury.
Corruption-free society is possible, but it begins with us. If I follow due process in all my dealings and every other person out there does the same and with the fear of God, gradually, corruption will be a past issue in our land!.
Sunday 15 December 2013
Friday 15 November 2013
ASUU STRIKE: A TALE OF GREED AND DISSERVICE. Written by Saint-Olawale Jimoh.
I never thought I could do a story such as this about Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) because of the respect and admiration I have, not only for the profession but for those in the field, yet I owe humanity a duty to speak the truth if situation demands.
Firstly, we must acknowledge there's no perfect government anywhere in the whole world. Even in America, their government had to be shut down in order to sort out some unresolved issues bothering on health insurance. But in a situation where government chose to neglect a certain key sector of the economy, reactions are bound to occur. It's only a pity in our land because the only language understood by our government and the workers especially the university lecturers is strike action. Over the years, this action has immensely contributed to the rots in our education section. I had my own share of it when I was welcomed with 3-month strike action upon being admitted into OOU in year 2000.
These lecturers have been going on strike since the IBB days and yet the educational system is deteriorating by the day. In fact, this action began the decadent era that our educational sector has not recovered from till today. While the educational system is deteriorating, their take home pay has been increasing at the end of every strike action and the innocent students have always been at the receiving end..
It's therefore obvious that ASUU of Nigeria has been and still making themselves a demigod to the Nigerian masses. They go on strike at all times in the name of a better compensation of their services. Question is what better compensation do they really require and for what service?
It is important to mention here that ASUU is one of the highest paid government employees. They earn far more that the civil servant, they earn more than even the medical doctors in their level, they earn more than the Nigeria military in their level and they earn more than the Nigerian police. Yet, amidst same people, there are sizable number of intellectual misfits parading themselves as dons on our various campuses. I think it's high time the government carried out a staff audit as it is not proper to use tax payers money to continue to pay the salaries of academic errors.
They formulate and charge for more extra time than they put in as they do not provide free services during the allocated time meant for their services. They charge every Nigerian student for their marks and grades, they sell all their lectures that they have been paid for in form of hand-outs. They individually has made the Nigerian universities a get-rich-venture for themselves while they hold the future of Nigerian students to ransom at every opportunity!
In a class of 50, they sell 50 hand-outs at N500 - N1000, and each of them could have as much as 6 classes to lecture. So in essence, they are assured of an extra N300, 000 per semester, that is if they do not end up selling hand-outs twice in the semester. Now imagine what will be earned in a class of 200 students?
The questions I expected from those sympathetic with these lecturers are: what happened to the past funds made available for the universities by the government? What about foreign grants? Are ASUU being paid for these months they have not been working?
And these happen in almost all the courses. In this case where students are ignored to stay at home just because of some extra accumulated pay, who is heartless here, the FG or the lecturers?
The questions I expected from those sympathetic with these lecturers are: what happened to the past funds made available for the universities by the government? What about foreign grants they have been receiving over the years? Are ASUU being paid for these months they have not been working?
Sometimes, it's not all our government's fault and it's high time students stand up to face their real enemies!
- Saint-Olawale Jimoh
(Observers' Reflections Int'l)
www.saint-olawalejimoh.blogspot.com
©2013
Firstly, we must acknowledge there's no perfect government anywhere in the whole world. Even in America, their government had to be shut down in order to sort out some unresolved issues bothering on health insurance. But in a situation where government chose to neglect a certain key sector of the economy, reactions are bound to occur. It's only a pity in our land because the only language understood by our government and the workers especially the university lecturers is strike action. Over the years, this action has immensely contributed to the rots in our education section. I had my own share of it when I was welcomed with 3-month strike action upon being admitted into OOU in year 2000.
These lecturers have been going on strike since the IBB days and yet the educational system is deteriorating by the day. In fact, this action began the decadent era that our educational sector has not recovered from till today. While the educational system is deteriorating, their take home pay has been increasing at the end of every strike action and the innocent students have always been at the receiving end..
It's therefore obvious that ASUU of Nigeria has been and still making themselves a demigod to the Nigerian masses. They go on strike at all times in the name of a better compensation of their services. Question is what better compensation do they really require and for what service?
It is important to mention here that ASUU is one of the highest paid government employees. They earn far more that the civil servant, they earn more than even the medical doctors in their level, they earn more than the Nigeria military in their level and they earn more than the Nigerian police. Yet, amidst same people, there are sizable number of intellectual misfits parading themselves as dons on our various campuses. I think it's high time the government carried out a staff audit as it is not proper to use tax payers money to continue to pay the salaries of academic errors.
They formulate and charge for more extra time than they put in as they do not provide free services during the allocated time meant for their services. They charge every Nigerian student for their marks and grades, they sell all their lectures that they have been paid for in form of hand-outs. They individually has made the Nigerian universities a get-rich-venture for themselves while they hold the future of Nigerian students to ransom at every opportunity!
In a class of 50, they sell 50 hand-outs at N500 - N1000, and each of them could have as much as 6 classes to lecture. So in essence, they are assured of an extra N300, 000 per semester, that is if they do not end up selling hand-outs twice in the semester. Now imagine what will be earned in a class of 200 students?
The questions I expected from those sympathetic with these lecturers are: what happened to the past funds made available for the universities by the government? What about foreign grants? Are ASUU being paid for these months they have not been working?
And these happen in almost all the courses. In this case where students are ignored to stay at home just because of some extra accumulated pay, who is heartless here, the FG or the lecturers?
The questions I expected from those sympathetic with these lecturers are: what happened to the past funds made available for the universities by the government? What about foreign grants they have been receiving over the years? Are ASUU being paid for these months they have not been working?
Sometimes, it's not all our government's fault and it's high time students stand up to face their real enemies!
- Saint-Olawale Jimoh
(Observers' Reflections Int'l)
www.saint-olawalejimoh.blogspot.com
©2013
Friday 18 October 2013
THE PROPOSED SOVEREIGN NATIONAL CONFERENCE (SNC): AN ANTIDOTE FOR SOLVING NIGERIAN TRIBAL CRISIS. Written by Saint-Olawale Jimoh
“The most difficult subjects can be explained to the most slow-witted man if he has not formed any idea of them already; but the simplest thing cannot be made clear to the most intelligent man if he is firmly persuaded that he knows already, without a shadow of doubt, what is laid before him.”
-Leo Tolstoy
The subject of Sovereign National Crisis (SNC) introduced by President Goodluck Jonathan's government has been controversial since the matter was raised few weeks ago. This action was first opposed by the national leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and supported by Dokubo-led MEND. The argument has been that we don’t need to have another conference since we have representatives at the National Assembly.
To me, it's simply an ignorant and selfish assumption. It's disheartening to see how the likes of Asiwaju Tinubu and others play politics with national issues. They should know when to play politics and when not to. The horrific killings going on in some parts of the country almost on daily basis, should stop being a political plaything.
I had written earlier that Nigeria is an association of many 'nations' with different interpretations of what Nigeria is to them. Lord Luggard put dogs and cats in same cage and expected nothing but peace! Cat wants rats; dog wants bones. North wants power; South wants resources control yet West hates violence but loves to rule..
With all the political scientists we have in our midst, people forget that what we are practising is what can be called indirect democracy. Indirect democracy in the sense that proprietary right over people’s sovereignty is delegated to people we elect to make laws for us. When it comes to making constitutional reforms or constitution making, you go to what is called direct democracy. Direct democracy means direct voting by the people in the form of a referendum and that is why the universal practice is that a constitution making process that does not go through a constituent assembly, whose decisions are approved by a referendum, is null and void. A practical example can be seen in South Sudan whose creation resulted from a referendum.
How is it that Nigerians do not understand that for a constitution to be legitimate, it has to be driven by the people, and the people are usually represented by a constituent assembly? This constituent assembly is usually made up of non-partisan politicians, because partisan politicians are only concerned with the next election. Posterity or long-term issues relating to the country are never priority of partisan politicians. In essence, constitution which outlives people and a generation should be driven by civil society, collection of every nationality in the country and clerics.
It is only in our land we oppose right actions because they are from opposition party. For constitution to be workable, it must depicts the yearning of the people in every class of the society.
I think, if the young met no history, he would have known folktales and snippets yet folktale is the father of history!
An African proverb says we cannot shave a man's head in his absence.
Sunday 29 September 2013
LESSON FROM RUQAYAT RUFAI'S SACK. Written by Saint-Olawale Jimoh
It's no longer new that what people preached ended up far from what they do when they get into public offices. We have heard about a serving Minister who was not only a former vibrant students' leader, but led a strong protest against the excesses of the then President and equally agitated against the removal of oil subsidy. About 23 years after, same man was made a Minister of the Federal Republic and he was quoted to have said, "the removal of oil subsidy is long overdue!"
Of course, his comments shocked many people especially his former comrades but fact is, man's real intent cannot be hid forever.
The most saddening one, is the story of Nigeria's Minister of Education who was sacked alongside about nine others. The sacked Education Minister, Ruqqayatu Rufai for over 97 days of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike had the opportunity of resolving the crisis but she played the Ostrich.
When asked of her next move after her dismissal, she was quoted as saying, "naturally, i am returning back to my constituency (Bayero University) to continue teaching.. "
What a life! What goes around comes around. How would she face her former colleagues when she resumes? Would she also remain at home till the ASUU crisis is resolved? Would she also benefit from the same largess she refused to sign if approved by the FG?
Still, there are people who would argue, 'she's only a Minister, what power does she have?' Fact is, she has a greater role to play! I have heard about people who rejected political appointments because they perceived they would not be allowed to performed well. My humble self know of a person who resigned his appointment to keep his integrity intact. Only a greedy person will work against his wish or tarry where he wouldn't be allowed to effect positive change.
Those in position of authority who refused to solve their community problems have forgotten they're still coming back to same community after leaving office.
That's why they keep dying in Indian hospitals because they refused to equip the hospitals at home. The roads they refused to fix ended up killing their associates and in-laws.
Myopic people!
Of course, his comments shocked many people especially his former comrades but fact is, man's real intent cannot be hid forever.
The most saddening one, is the story of Nigeria's Minister of Education who was sacked alongside about nine others. The sacked Education Minister, Ruqqayatu Rufai for over 97 days of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike had the opportunity of resolving the crisis but she played the Ostrich.
When asked of her next move after her dismissal, she was quoted as saying, "naturally, i am returning back to my constituency (Bayero University) to continue teaching.. "
What a life! What goes around comes around. How would she face her former colleagues when she resumes? Would she also remain at home till the ASUU crisis is resolved? Would she also benefit from the same largess she refused to sign if approved by the FG?
Still, there are people who would argue, 'she's only a Minister, what power does she have?' Fact is, she has a greater role to play! I have heard about people who rejected political appointments because they perceived they would not be allowed to performed well. My humble self know of a person who resigned his appointment to keep his integrity intact. Only a greedy person will work against his wish or tarry where he wouldn't be allowed to effect positive change.
Those in position of authority who refused to solve their community problems have forgotten they're still coming back to same community after leaving office.
That's why they keep dying in Indian hospitals because they refused to equip the hospitals at home. The roads they refused to fix ended up killing their associates and in-laws.
Myopic people!
THE QUAGMIRE OF RESOURCES CURSE?
"Men of a fat and fertile soil are most commonly effeminate and cowards; whereas inversely a barren country makes men temperate by necessity, and by consequence careful, vigilant, and industrious" —Jean Bodin (1576)
For centuries, it has been argued (and disputed) that abundance of natural resources could either benefit or pain the neck of the owner. Recently, the resource endowment of nation-states has been directly linked to the propensity of causing armed conflict, and this is very true of Nigeria especially in the Niger Delta region where successive government have ruthlessly suppressed the people over the benevolence of Mother Nature to own land.
That’s to say, the long-established struggle over the control of resources has been attributable to the power politics of various sovereign states in championing diverse contentious government policies to suppress oppositions. The United States, Britain, France and others have supported dictatorships to overthrow democracies because of their uncontained self-centred interest around the world.
Because of its multitude of diverse, sometimes rival ethno-linguistic groups, Nigeria has since prior to independence been beset with sectarian tensions and violence; which has remained the experience of the oil-producing Delta region, where both state and communal militia forces employ varying degree of coercion to gain control over the local petroleum resources; Britain, especially assisted Gowon to overrun Biafra for the sake of oil in the Niger Delta in 1967-1970.
To the common citizens of Nigeria the reason often adduced for the state belligerence is not far-fetched - “sovereignty”, “national security”, “curtailing the Niger Delta restiveness” and so on, as a consequence, the people have had their admired leaders conquered, dehumanized, imprisoned or exiled, killed and often replaced with dishonest puppets as instruments of neo-colonialist subjugation in authority.
“State failure,” “complex emergencies,” and “ethnic cleansing” have hence become the slogans in security, and peace & conflict resolution of this resource control quagmire.
With the discovery of large oil reserves in the region, the early 1960s witnessed a resurgence of internecine strife because of contention over ownerships to portions of land or territory that promises to yield specific advantages in terms of job creation and infrastructural improvements to be provided by the oil companies. These were disdained and ruthlessly suppressed by governments to degenerate from peaceful advocacy into violent strife of defiance over several years of neglect.
A subsequent phase of the struggle saw the declaration of an Independent Niger Delta Republic by Isaac Adaka Boro, just before the Biafran war in 1967. A succeeding chapter saw the request for justice to end marginalization of the people with Ken Saro-Wiwa at the vanguard. The indigenes cried against lack of development albeit the Nigerian state hauling out huge oil dough in addition to complaints of environmental pollution and destruction of their land and rivers by oil companies. Ken Saro-Wiwa and his compatriots at the helm of that crusade were killed by the Nigerian Government under Sani Abacha against worldwide outrage.
In recent times frontline resource control crusader James Onanefe Ibori came under the weight of the Nigerian Government like his erstwhile fellow citizens. He is currently wallowing in jail over concocted corruption charges to silence the effervescence of equitable recompense of the area for environmental issues.
With collapsed infrastructure, soaring inflation and tactlessness in all levels of governance pulling at the other end, Nigerians have been abandoned to the most profligate democracy ever known to the human species. This is not helped by an unscrupulous bunch of politicians that care less about the citizens. Therefore, the ingoing commotion within the ranks of politics – splinter groups, lawsuits, ASSU strike and what have you… are mere signs of the times.
Tuesday 28 May 2013
BETWEEN ASARI DOKUBO'S COMMENTS AND BUHARI'S ACTIONS. Written by Saint-Olawale jimoh
Nigeria is an association of many 'nations' with different interpretations of what Nigeria is to them. Lord Luggard put dogs and cats in same cage and expected nothing but peace! Cat wants rat; dog wants bones. North wants power; South wants resources control and West hates violence but loves to rule. Sometimes, we want to put "question mark" where God put "full stop", we try to mend what God has already torn apart!
Much as I do not subscribe to the inflammatory comments being made by MEND warlord, Asari Dokubo, yet I don't disagree with him totally even though the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tambuwal and the House members have ordered the arrest of Asari and Kuku over their statements.
Buhari, Rufai and many others from the North made worse comments, backed up with actions (Boko Haram) nobody called for their heads. Have we forgotten Buhari's "BABOONS and DOGS" statement? Where were Tambuwal and his House members at the time?
The other time, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was in Maiduguri and bombs rained after he left but Buhari's APC crowd were there earlier and nothing happened. What does that suggest? It shows there's a link! Boko Haram picked same Buhari as a negotiator.
Well meaning Nigerians and the international community are watching.
Ken Saro Wiwa was condemned and hanged by Abacha while Mohammed Yusuf, Boko Haram leader was honoured and family compensated.
The Northerners controlled 83 per cent of the nation resources (oil) while they want death sentence for those they call South-South, South-East and South-West oil thieves. Kuku and Asari probably would be arrested and charged for treason as ordered by Tambuwal and the Arewas but Boko Haram and their Arewa accomplices, responsible for blood spilling are being BEGGED to accept AMNESTY on a platter of gold.
What a nation!
Much as I do not subscribe to the inflammatory comments being made by MEND warlord, Asari Dokubo, yet I don't disagree with him totally even though the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tambuwal and the House members have ordered the arrest of Asari and Kuku over their statements.
Buhari, Rufai and many others from the North made worse comments, backed up with actions (Boko Haram) nobody called for their heads. Have we forgotten Buhari's "BABOONS and DOGS" statement? Where were Tambuwal and his House members at the time?
The other time, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was in Maiduguri and bombs rained after he left but Buhari's APC crowd were there earlier and nothing happened. What does that suggest? It shows there's a link! Boko Haram picked same Buhari as a negotiator.
Well meaning Nigerians and the international community are watching.
Ken Saro Wiwa was condemned and hanged by Abacha while Mohammed Yusuf, Boko Haram leader was honoured and family compensated.
The Northerners controlled 83 per cent of the nation resources (oil) while they want death sentence for those they call South-South, South-East and South-West oil thieves. Kuku and Asari probably would be arrested and charged for treason as ordered by Tambuwal and the Arewas but Boko Haram and their Arewa accomplices, responsible for blood spilling are being BEGGED to accept AMNESTY on a platter of gold.
What a nation!
Tuesday 7 May 2013
SINA KAWONISE: THE MUCH-AWAITED MESSIAH OF OGUN PEOPLE. Written by Saint-Olawale Jimoh
'And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountain shall drop
new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk and all the rivers of Judah shall
flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth of the house of the Lord, and
shall water the valley of Shittim..'
-Joel 3:18
-Joel 3:18
'Sina' in Yorubaland means 'way opener' and we all acknowledge that name is significant in human life. This man might just be the solution to the current Ogun problem. It's obvious that people's expectations from government have not been met. The forestry authority locked forest reserve thereby making its workers, timber contractors and those in sawmilling business languishing in poverty. Ogun indigent students were much more disappointed. Few weeks ago, students of OOU Ago-Iwoye staged a peaceful protest against the neck-strangulating policies of state government and the introduction of POS as means of payment.
Just last Wednesday, workers of the OOU Teaching Hospital, Sagamu threatened to embark on strike if the State government fails to pay their over N2billion salary arrears. The workers under the aegis of the Joint Health Sector Unions comprising the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Medical & Health Workers Union of Nigeria, Senior Staff Association and Non-Academic Union also accused the State government of being insensitive to their plight.
In fact, as I type this piece today 6th of May, 2013, Ogun State College of Health Technology, Ilese is still on strike!
One might want to ask how relevance can this Kawonise be? Those who know Kawonise and are up to date with his political activities would readily acknowledge he's a force to reckon with.
Last July when he celebrated his 50th birthday at Conference Hotel in Ijebu Ode, there was no single political leadership that was not represented there. An event that attracted the likes of Mrs Tokunbo Awolowo, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Otunba Alex Onabanjo, Pa Lanihun, Reuben Abati (Special Adviser on media and publicity to the President), Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Prof. Muhammed Kuta Yahaya (Chief of Staff to Niger State Governor), Prince Buruji Kashamu, Senator Lekan Mustapha, serving and former lawmakers from Ogun and neighbouring States, traditional rulers and many media giants.
It's therefore a common fact that there are those who would feel threatened if he joins Ogun guber race to which he's readily preparing for. Perhaps the reason, he was attacked and shot on his way back from Awka where he had gone to deliver a paper at the Conference of the Nigeria Anthropological & Sociological Association. Those who shot at his car shot to kill according to reports made available had it not been for divine intervention that many him survived.
Fact is, Sina Kawonise is a moving train and on a rescue mission. A man of many parts who has got what it takes to govern Ogun and lead us to the promised land.
He had served in various capacities in public service and private business spanning more than 20 years. He is a journalist, public affairs commentator, columnist, author, media consultant, businessman, former Honorable Commissioner, publisher..
Sina Kawonise emerged as the Best Graduating Student, in the Department of Sociology, Ogun State University, Ago-Iwoye (now Olabisi Onabanjo University) in 1988 and he passed his M.Sc. degree with distinction at the University of Ibadan in 1990.
He was one of Africa’s Winners/ Representatives in the Second World Competition for Young Sociologists in Bielefeld, Germany, July, 1994.
At various times he was Staff Secretary, Department of Sociology, Ogun State University, Staff Adviser, Ogun State University Chapter of the National Sociological and Anthropological Students’ Association, Member, Ogun State University Press Council, Acting Treasurer, National Association of Sociologists and Anthropologists , Chairman, Faculty Open Lecture Committee (SMS), Member of NISER National Research Network on Liberalization Policies in Nigeria, Member, Governing Council, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Guest Contributor to the Opinion pages on The Guardian, Daily Times, Sunday Tribune and Saturday Tribune on Contemporary National Issues, since 1987, Consultant to the Editorial Board, Tribune Titles since December, 1991, Visiting Research Fellow, African Centre for Development and Strategic Studies (ACDESS) under the Directorship of Prof. Adebayo Adedeji since June, 1993.
Sina Kawonise served honourably in the immediate past administration as Commisioner for Information & Strategy and he got a State Award as the best State Commissioner in
Ogun State 2011. He's till date the Chairman, Editor-in-Chief of Western Publishing Limited, the publishers of Compass and The Westerner newspapers.
He has also been involved in Fish Farming, auto Engineering and Car Dealership, Media Consultancy, Mining and Export of Solid Minerals.
Unlike some of his likes, Kawonise remains humble and approachable in spite of his achievements. He is down to earth and simple perhaps to a fault. He does not judge people based on hear say or other people’s opinion of them.
His publications includes:
-Kawonise, ‘Sina, A Sociological Analysis of Nigeria’s Political Crisis: 1960 to Date, Long Essay for B.Sc. Degree (Sociology), Ogun State University, Ago-Iwoye; 1988.
-Kawonise, ‘Sina (1989), “The Prospects of Democracy in a Neo-Colonial Economy: The Nigeria Experience”, in Prof. J Bayo Adekanye, (ed) Institutions and Processes of Democratization in Nigeria, Ibadan: Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA), 1989.
-Kawonise, ‘Sina (1992), “Normative Impediments to Democratic Transition in Africa” in B. Caron, A. Gboyega and E. Osaghae (eds) Democratic Transition in Africa, Ibadan: Center de Recherches d’Echanges et de Documentation Universitaire, 1992.
-Kawonise, ‘Sina (Co-Author with Adebayo Adedeji & Onigu Otite) 1997, “Nigeria: Renewal from the Roots? The struggle for Democratic Development” African Centre for Development and Strategic Studies, ACDES, Ijebu Ode.
Journal Articles:
-Kawonise, ‘Sina (1992) “The Conflict of Consciousness in State-Society Relations in Nigeria: An Explanation of Form and Essence”, Nigerian Forum, Vol. 1, No.2; May – August.
-Kawonise, ‘Sina, Civil Society and Democracy in Africa, International Sociology; 1994.
-Kawonise, ‘Sina (with Prof. Onigu Otite) (eds), Popular participation in Nigeria, African Centre for Development and Strategic Studies (ACDESS), 1995.
-Kawonise, ‘Sina, Civil Society and Democracy in Africa, being a paper presented at the 2nd International Sociological Association (ISA) World Wide Competition for young sociologists, Bielefeld, Germany, 1994.
-Kawonise, ‘Sina, Labour and Democratization : the Experience of the Labour Party in the Transition Programme in Nigeria. Being a proposal for the CODESRIA Network on Labour Movements and Policy Making in Africa, September, 1992.
-Kawonise, ‘Sina, Political Forces, State Power and the Question of Democracy in Nigeria. Being a paper presented at the National Conference on Development Directions for the 21st Century Nigeria, held at Ibadan 7th – 10th July, 1991.
-Kawonise, ‘Sina, The Prospects of Democracy in a Neo-Colonial Economy: The Nigerian Experience. Being paper presented at the 10th Annual Conference of the Nigeria Political Science Association, University of Ibadan, May 28 – June 1, 1989.
He has attended conferences home and abroad among which are:
-National Conference on “Institutions and Processes of Democratization in Nigeria”, Calabar, July 1989.
- The XIIIth World Congress of Sociology, Bielefeld, Germany July 1994.
-National Workshop on “The World Bank Loan, the Universities and the Future of Nigeria, Ile-Ife, April 1990.
- National Conference on “Development Directions for the 21st Century Nigeria”, Ibadan, July 1991.
- National Conference on “Grassroots Democracy”, Abeokuta, July 1990.
- National Conference on “ Constitutionali sm and National Development in Nigeria”, Jos, November 1990.
- National Conference of the National Political Science Association, (NPSA) February 1994.
- African Centre for Development and Strategic Studies’ Workshop on Popular Participation in Development, June 1993.
- Centre for Democratic Study (CDS) National Conference on the Preview of the 1995 Draft Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, Abuja, August, 1995.
In conclusion, this Kawonise is indeed an asset and if voted into office would not only do the needful but build impossible bridges and restore the lost glory of Ogun State.
-National Conference on “Institutions and Processes of Democratization in Nigeria”, Calabar, July 1989.
- The XIIIth World Congress of Sociology, Bielefeld, Germany July 1994.
-National Workshop on “The World Bank Loan, the Universities and the Future of Nigeria, Ile-Ife, April 1990.
- National Conference on “Development Directions for the 21st Century Nigeria”, Ibadan, July 1991.
- National Conference on “Grassroots Democracy”, Abeokuta, July 1990.
- National Conference on “ Constitutionali sm and National Development in Nigeria”, Jos, November 1990.
- National Conference of the National Political Science Association, (NPSA) February 1994.
- African Centre for Development and Strategic Studies’ Workshop on Popular Participation in Development, June 1993.
- Centre for Democratic Study (CDS) National Conference on the Preview of the 1995 Draft Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, Abuja, August, 1995.
In conclusion, this Kawonise is indeed an asset and if voted into office would not only do the needful but build impossible bridges and restore the lost glory of Ogun State.
Saturday 30 March 2013
NIGERIA: A NATION OF TRIBAL STIGMA. Written by Saint-Olawale Jimoh
Nigeria came into existence through the fiat of the British colonial masters in 1914, in which multi ethnic nationalities were forcefully merged together by force of arms. It is a nation built on tribal foundation. You cant love a tree and hate its root. And there is no skyscraper without a formidable foundation. Her multiple ethnicity which should have added to her strength is gradually becoming a curse. But when did tribalism become a stigma?
Nigeria is a theater where we are all actors. But the British that created this artificial nation were not totally oblivious that so many people do not see us as a factor. The earlier we acknowledge this fact, the better.
We would have to recognize that Nigeria is an association of many 'nations' with different interpretation of what Nigeria is to them. Lord Lugard put cat and dog in same cage and expected nothing but peaceful co-existence. Cat wants rat while dog would go for bones any day. The North loves power but the Southerners want resources control. Sometimes we try to mend what God has already torn apart and put question mark where God has said 'period'.
If you think representing your ethnic group is no more fashionable. What is the difference between a nationalist and a tribalist? As far as I am concern the difference is the territorial size and politics. There would always be rivalry among nations. Two warring nation. Like two competing tribes.
In Africa we have Anglophone, Francophone and Islamic nations. They all have their different agenda as a nation but a common African goal. Same applies to every Nigerian tribe or ethnic group. Even between brothers and sisters their is rivalry .
However, if we ever survive as a nation to our promise land. It would be based on the collective inputs of everybody. It would be how well our politics were able to respond and applied to our needs regionally and nationally. A British in 2013 would not mind chanting "long live the Queen" but this can only be achieved in Nigeria if we respect our fellow Nigerians and regard their tradition and religion, be it an Igbo, Hausa or Yoruba man. If this cannot be achieved as we see today there shall be problem.
If it's only through splitting that Nigerians would experience genuine peace, so be it.
Nigeria is a theater where we are all actors. But the British that created this artificial nation were not totally oblivious that so many people do not see us as a factor. The earlier we acknowledge this fact, the better.
We would have to recognize that Nigeria is an association of many 'nations' with different interpretation of what Nigeria is to them. Lord Lugard put cat and dog in same cage and expected nothing but peaceful co-existence. Cat wants rat while dog would go for bones any day. The North loves power but the Southerners want resources control. Sometimes we try to mend what God has already torn apart and put question mark where God has said 'period'.
If you think representing your ethnic group is no more fashionable. What is the difference between a nationalist and a tribalist? As far as I am concern the difference is the territorial size and politics. There would always be rivalry among nations. Two warring nation. Like two competing tribes.
In Africa we have Anglophone, Francophone and Islamic nations. They all have their different agenda as a nation but a common African goal. Same applies to every Nigerian tribe or ethnic group. Even between brothers and sisters their is rivalry .
However, if we ever survive as a nation to our promise land. It would be based on the collective inputs of everybody. It would be how well our politics were able to respond and applied to our needs regionally and nationally. A British in 2013 would not mind chanting "long live the Queen" but this can only be achieved in Nigeria if we respect our fellow Nigerians and regard their tradition and religion, be it an Igbo, Hausa or Yoruba man. If this cannot be achieved as we see today there shall be problem.
If it's only through splitting that Nigerians would experience genuine peace, so be it.
Friday 1 March 2013
BIG BROTHER REALITY SHOW: A CONTRADITION TO AFRICANS' TRADITION. Written by Saint-Olawale Jimoh
The idea of Big Brother is said to have come during a brainstorm session at the Dutch based international television production firm, Endemol on 4th of September, 1997. It took its name from the character in George Orwell's 1949 classic novel, "Nineteen Eighty-four". The first ever version of Big Brother was broadcast in 1999 on Veronica (TV channel) in Netherlands. Since then, the format has become a worldwide TV franchise, airing in many countries in varying adaptations.
Big Brother Africa(BBA) for instance, was first aired in 2003, the second edition was aired in 2007 and the third edition, August, 2008 and it ran for 91 days. It usually involves 12 strangers- six males and females (each from a different African nation), sharing a house for 91 days, in which their actions are monitored by close circuit cameras and relayed 24hours daily to millions of viewers via a dedicated channel and is made available to local stations all over Africa.
Big Brother symbolizes a monolithic state apparatus snooping on every aspect of its unwilling citizens' lives in order to control them. During the show, the voice of a commentator known as Big Brother by the contestants, gives out instructions and sometimes, tells the contestants to take part in activities like exercise, dance and gardening.
The cash prize for the winners puts a lot of pressure on the contestants to get involved in unwholesome activities in order to remain popular with the viewers. For example, in the first edition of BBA, viewers tuned in early in the morning to watch the shower hour where each participant was ordered to bathe at that time. Some participants had sex with each other, but they had the decency to tuck themselves under a blanket and switched-off the lights.
In 2004, Big Brother Middle East was cancelled after a few days because women in Bahrain protested against its unacceptable trend. In Big Brother Australia 2006, two male contestants were expelled for allegedly raping a female contestant. Again, during Big Brother Africa II in 2007, things got worse, more sexual scenes were revealed. One of the participants, Richard Bezuidenhout, a Tanzanian, who got married two weeks before the show, had sex openly with two females and committed statutory rape on another (a Nigerian, Miss Ofunneka Molokwu). At the of the show, Richard won!
Question is, what ideas are we selling and promoting?
During the duration of the show, all the national daily newspapers run columns dedicated to Big Brother Africa to generate interest in the show. This programme does not meet the basic criteria of a good television programme. It is not informative; it does not educate and the entertainment it provides is perverse. Whereas, Big Brother is a money spinner for its owners. There are a lot of profit for Big Brother owners. The revenue for BBA for instance comes from advertisers all over Africa, from subscriptions from local TV stations and from telecom companies that run the SMS voting for participants.
Reality show cost little to produce. The prize money for the winners is mere peanuts and it makes the participants behave like animals in a zoo or rats in a cage who make do with bananas and crumbs while the owners count the gate-takings. This programme make voyeurism, which ought to be a crime or mental illness, a national pastime.
The open display of sex and nudity is pornography. Pornography is illegal in Africa! Africa is under the threat of HIV/AIDS; promoting widespread pornography under whatever guise is counter-productive. In Swaziland, a country here in Africa, HIV is fast claiming lives. The infection rate is unprecedented and highest in the world. As a matter of fact, United Nations Development Program has written that if it continues unabated, the 'longer term existence of Swaziland as a country will be seriously threatened'. Again, according to the CIA World Factbook, Swaziland has the lowest life expectancy in the world, with an average life expectancy of only 31yrs!
Big Brother reinforces the notion that one does not need to work hard to become rich or famous. All the participants need to do is humiliate one another, seek for attention (with sex or indecent exposure) and use other participants. In summary, Big Brother does not promote any useful virtue for Africans. By letting a public rapist win BBA II, its owners had reinforced immorality in a continent where such acts are abhorred!
Saint-Olawale Jimoh
Observers Reflection Int'l
©2013
Big Brother Africa(BBA) for instance, was first aired in 2003, the second edition was aired in 2007 and the third edition, August, 2008 and it ran for 91 days. It usually involves 12 strangers- six males and females (each from a different African nation), sharing a house for 91 days, in which their actions are monitored by close circuit cameras and relayed 24hours daily to millions of viewers via a dedicated channel and is made available to local stations all over Africa.
Big Brother symbolizes a monolithic state apparatus snooping on every aspect of its unwilling citizens' lives in order to control them. During the show, the voice of a commentator known as Big Brother by the contestants, gives out instructions and sometimes, tells the contestants to take part in activities like exercise, dance and gardening.
The cash prize for the winners puts a lot of pressure on the contestants to get involved in unwholesome activities in order to remain popular with the viewers. For example, in the first edition of BBA, viewers tuned in early in the morning to watch the shower hour where each participant was ordered to bathe at that time. Some participants had sex with each other, but they had the decency to tuck themselves under a blanket and switched-off the lights.
In 2004, Big Brother Middle East was cancelled after a few days because women in Bahrain protested against its unacceptable trend. In Big Brother Australia 2006, two male contestants were expelled for allegedly raping a female contestant. Again, during Big Brother Africa II in 2007, things got worse, more sexual scenes were revealed. One of the participants, Richard Bezuidenhout, a Tanzanian, who got married two weeks before the show, had sex openly with two females and committed statutory rape on another (a Nigerian, Miss Ofunneka Molokwu). At the of the show, Richard won!
Question is, what ideas are we selling and promoting?
During the duration of the show, all the national daily newspapers run columns dedicated to Big Brother Africa to generate interest in the show. This programme does not meet the basic criteria of a good television programme. It is not informative; it does not educate and the entertainment it provides is perverse. Whereas, Big Brother is a money spinner for its owners. There are a lot of profit for Big Brother owners. The revenue for BBA for instance comes from advertisers all over Africa, from subscriptions from local TV stations and from telecom companies that run the SMS voting for participants.
Reality show cost little to produce. The prize money for the winners is mere peanuts and it makes the participants behave like animals in a zoo or rats in a cage who make do with bananas and crumbs while the owners count the gate-takings. This programme make voyeurism, which ought to be a crime or mental illness, a national pastime.
The open display of sex and nudity is pornography. Pornography is illegal in Africa! Africa is under the threat of HIV/AIDS; promoting widespread pornography under whatever guise is counter-productive. In Swaziland, a country here in Africa, HIV is fast claiming lives. The infection rate is unprecedented and highest in the world. As a matter of fact, United Nations Development Program has written that if it continues unabated, the 'longer term existence of Swaziland as a country will be seriously threatened'. Again, according to the CIA World Factbook, Swaziland has the lowest life expectancy in the world, with an average life expectancy of only 31yrs!
Big Brother reinforces the notion that one does not need to work hard to become rich or famous. All the participants need to do is humiliate one another, seek for attention (with sex or indecent exposure) and use other participants. In summary, Big Brother does not promote any useful virtue for Africans. By letting a public rapist win BBA II, its owners had reinforced immorality in a continent where such acts are abhorred!
Saint-Olawale Jimoh
Observers Reflection Int'l
©2013
Wednesday 20 February 2013
OPEN LETTER TO OTUNBA GBENGA DANIEL, THE ERSTWHILE GOVERNOR OF OGUN STATE, NIGERIA. Written by Saint-Olawale Jimoh
6th of April, 2013.
Otunba Gbenga Daniel,
Asoludero Court,
GRA, Sagamu
Ogun State,
Nigeria.
Dear Sir,
Today my heart bleeds for you for so many reasons. I recall with joy and sadness the good old days; the era of your transformational efforts, when the wind of development blew through the 20 Local Government areas of the state. How you touched many lives; how you crossed the much-dreaded Ode-Omi river to take the good tidings of your govt to the almost forgotten folks behind the creek which they hearitly appreciated, saying, 'never in history has any government honoured them that way!'
I also recall how you appeared to have been the only person in the history of Nigeria's democracy to pay unemployment allowance to the unemployed youth through OGUGRADS Scheme. It equally saddens my mind to remember how your immediate past govt emerged best in the survey of 6 SouthWest States conducted by Centre for Constitutional Governance (CCG) and the survey's criteria according to CCG included infrastructural development, improved social services, employment generation..
You started and completed 3 international stadiums; built 4 international markets and 10 housing estates. Your administration established OGROMA to restore roads just as OGRUMED restored health and well-being. You built the best NYSC orientation camp and established the first University of Education in Nigeria. You co-facilitated the establishment of the multi-billion Naira OKLNG project with other stakeholders, and on the basis of which you established Gateway Industrial and Petro-Gas Institute, Oni.
You implemented the multi-campus system of OOU by spreading it across the state. Your administration established 4 ICT polytechnics to bring education closer to the doorsteps of common people.
OGEGEP, OSAMCA, Gateway Saving&Loans Limited, Gateway Nigeria Stock Exchange and OPIC are all products of your administration.
This piece is not intended to eulogize or praise you, rather, it's a wake up call to you to be mindful of 3 facts:
- That it pays to do good,
- That people dislike the truth and
- Not to be too confident when people say they're for you, the real question you should ask is, 'until when? Because frankly speaking, just like seasons, people change!
There are many of us out here who genuinely believe your trial is politically motivated. The solidarity visit to you by the likes of Pa Reuben Fasorani, Lanihun Ajayi, Ayo Adebanjo, Dayo Duyile and other 15 Afenifere leaders is a pointer to this fact. If you had been in good terms with the likes of OBJ,your case wouldn't have reached this level.
You could be globe-trotting in a private jet at common man's expenses and still be relevant politically; engaged in massive oil bunkering and even attack a serving governor in public and still be the anointed son of the power-that-be. Chris Uba's case is still fresh in our memories.
However, you still need to thank God, for Atiku's case was worse than yours, when the power that be decided to fraustrate him because of his presidential ambition:
-EFCC and Presidential Panel summoned him severally for questioning over the PTDF fund after which he was denied party re-registration in his home state in October, 2005. He had earlier been suspended from PDP for 3 months before that time.
-Few months after, some of his aides were sacked for inexplicable reasons, leaving him with only two.
-In June, 2006, EFCC invaded the abuja branch of Bank PHB and confiscated Atiku's banking records, same time, his Turaki Campaign office was raided with files and computers taken away.
-Three months after, September 30, 2006, some policemen shot his security aide, Mr Victor Okonkwo, dead, at Uke, Nasarawa State on a highway patrol, and just before this time, his company, Integrated Logistics, had been sealed off!
I urge you to be strong in this seemingly difficult times, knowing fully well that tough times never last, but tough people do.
This dark cloud is passing away!
Saint-Olawale Jimoh
Observers' Reflections International
©2013
Otunba Gbenga Daniel,
Asoludero Court,
GRA, Sagamu
Ogun State,
Nigeria.
Dear Sir,
Today my heart bleeds for you for so many reasons. I recall with joy and sadness the good old days; the era of your transformational efforts, when the wind of development blew through the 20 Local Government areas of the state. How you touched many lives; how you crossed the much-dreaded Ode-Omi river to take the good tidings of your govt to the almost forgotten folks behind the creek which they hearitly appreciated, saying, 'never in history has any government honoured them that way!'
I also recall how you appeared to have been the only person in the history of Nigeria's democracy to pay unemployment allowance to the unemployed youth through OGUGRADS Scheme. It equally saddens my mind to remember how your immediate past govt emerged best in the survey of 6 SouthWest States conducted by Centre for Constitutional Governance (CCG) and the survey's criteria according to CCG included infrastructural development, improved social services, employment generation..
You started and completed 3 international stadiums; built 4 international markets and 10 housing estates. Your administration established OGROMA to restore roads just as OGRUMED restored health and well-being. You built the best NYSC orientation camp and established the first University of Education in Nigeria. You co-facilitated the establishment of the multi-billion Naira OKLNG project with other stakeholders, and on the basis of which you established Gateway Industrial and Petro-Gas Institute, Oni.
You implemented the multi-campus system of OOU by spreading it across the state. Your administration established 4 ICT polytechnics to bring education closer to the doorsteps of common people.
OGEGEP, OSAMCA, Gateway Saving&Loans Limited, Gateway Nigeria Stock Exchange and OPIC are all products of your administration.
This piece is not intended to eulogize or praise you, rather, it's a wake up call to you to be mindful of 3 facts:
- That it pays to do good,
- That people dislike the truth and
- Not to be too confident when people say they're for you, the real question you should ask is, 'until when? Because frankly speaking, just like seasons, people change!
There are many of us out here who genuinely believe your trial is politically motivated. The solidarity visit to you by the likes of Pa Reuben Fasorani, Lanihun Ajayi, Ayo Adebanjo, Dayo Duyile and other 15 Afenifere leaders is a pointer to this fact. If you had been in good terms with the likes of OBJ,your case wouldn't have reached this level.
You could be globe-trotting in a private jet at common man's expenses and still be relevant politically; engaged in massive oil bunkering and even attack a serving governor in public and still be the anointed son of the power-that-be. Chris Uba's case is still fresh in our memories.
However, you still need to thank God, for Atiku's case was worse than yours, when the power that be decided to fraustrate him because of his presidential ambition:
-EFCC and Presidential Panel summoned him severally for questioning over the PTDF fund after which he was denied party re-registration in his home state in October, 2005. He had earlier been suspended from PDP for 3 months before that time.
-Few months after, some of his aides were sacked for inexplicable reasons, leaving him with only two.
-In June, 2006, EFCC invaded the abuja branch of Bank PHB and confiscated Atiku's banking records, same time, his Turaki Campaign office was raided with files and computers taken away.
-Three months after, September 30, 2006, some policemen shot his security aide, Mr Victor Okonkwo, dead, at Uke, Nasarawa State on a highway patrol, and just before this time, his company, Integrated Logistics, had been sealed off!
I urge you to be strong in this seemingly difficult times, knowing fully well that tough times never last, but tough people do.
This dark cloud is passing away!
Saint-Olawale Jimoh
Observers' Reflections International
©2013
OTUNBA GBENGA DANIEL, OGUN STATE AND THE NUMEROUS ALLEGATIONS. Written by Saint-Olawale Jimoh
I have tried as much as possible not to do this piece, but the more I try not to write it, the more the urge to write keep flooding my mind. Let me start from the outset that this pieces is not intended to pass judgment on anybody, neither is it put together to praise anyone. In fact, it is not in my brief to say either of these, and I believe no mortal has the judgment of another man in his hands. I'm not a politician and I don’t belong to any political party, I'm only a leader of a civil society group and a curious observer of belligerent posture of things in the Gateway State-my State of Origin.
To begin with, I know Ogun State like the back of my hands and I have also followed Otunba Gbenga Daniel's antecedent from the time Newswatch, the weekly news magazine did a story about in him in its 9th November, Edition 1989 (Page 33). The story was authored by Mr Sam Omatseye, who is currently with the Nations Newspaper. Otunba Gbenga Daniel (OGD) was described in the pieces as a workaholic and an achiever to be noted. I also read about how he became the GM of Shroeder Limited at the age of 31 after receiving four promotions within a year in same company.
In 2003, when OGD came to power, his emergence was widely acknowledged as God's own answer to the prayer of Ogun State folks for visionary, amiable and people focus leadership. The truth of the matter at the time was, since the end of the Second Republic when Chief Olabisi Onabanjo (Aiyekoto) was Governor, Ogun State has never had it so nice in State administration with positive focus and agenda. There was endemic youth unemployment in the State. Services-social, cultural and economic had broken down. People were dying because of the deplorable state of our roads. Health sector was in a mess. In fact, by the order of Nursing & Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NWC), the State Hospital, Ijebu Ode and School of Nursing &Midwifery were ordered to stop to be clinical area for any institutions and persons around the area!
This was why people of Ogun agitated for a true change and OGD was thought to be the desired Messiah. The battle OGD fought and won before he emerged as Governor, which led to the defeat of Chief Segun Osoba was not also an easy one. It was like the confrontation between Isreali's little David and Philistine's Goliath.
OGD began the transformation and the whole nation herald his achievements and within the space of four years, much could be credited to him. But today, many criticisms have trailed his immediate past government. We accused his government of many flaws; we say he's too arrogant and that he tried to inherit everything in the State. Whether these allegations are true or not, I cannot say, I can only talk on what I've seen- his achievements.
We forget easily and when someone offends us, we ignore those days he had been good to us. We have forgotten that we are all human and it's human to make mistake(s). As we are complex as human, so also we are flawed in nature. But what do we make of OGD's landmark achievements? Many of which are first of their kind in the history of the State and even the nation at large.
The amount he paid to unemployed graduates in the State through OGUGRAD scheme (which began in 2007), is a form of unemployment allowance which no government has attempted in the history of Nigerian democracy. OGEGEP created jobs and gave room for knowledge acquisition and thousands of indigent youths can now earn livelihood through the scheme. OGRUMED restored hopes to the dying just as OGROMA restored roads.
As an indigene of this great State called Ogun State, we can boast of four international markets in such places as Ajilete Owode, Yewa and Sagamu. There are now four international stadiums in all the four ethnic divisions in the State. Gateway University of Agriculture, Aiyetoro- first state-owned in Nigeria and Olusegun Obasanjo College of Engineering, Ibogun, also first state-owned in Nigeria are both products of the implementation of multi-campus system of Olabisi Onabanjo University. It is also interesting to mention that Tai Solarin Unversity of Education (TASUED), Ijebu Ode, remains the first in Nigeria and second in black Africa. The 4 ICT polytechnics in such places as Ijebu-Igbo, Igbesa, Sapade and Ibogun are all achievements of OGD administration.
Southwest Resources Centre, a wonder to behold, is a reference point for researchers and ICT compliant people in the State. The new NYSC orientation camp he built in Sagamu is one of the best in the nation. We can boast of 10 housing estates in Ogun State now as a result of OGD-led government. Nigeria Stock Exchange is in Ogun State and if my memory serves me right, I think Gateway Saving & Loans Limited now has another outlet in Ota. OSACA and OSAMCA aided the farmers and small-scale entrepreneurs in no small measure.
In the heat of the transformation, former President Obasanjo was quoted to have said his dream for Ogun State has been turned into reality. The then former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar openly admitted that OGD has demonstrated outstanding resourcefulness, foresight and dogged determination! Prof. Wole Soyinka confirmed 'the various project embarked upon by Governor Daniel are too laudable and practical!' HID Awolowo said OGD has actualized her late husband's plans!
We have had sizeable number of our indigent students who studied in Northubria University, Coventry University, Queen Mary University in London, University of Central Lancashire and University of Birmingham, all on the State-sponsored Human Capital Development Scheme that OGD started. The first batch of which were about 30 students.
The question is, why sudden change of some Ogun leaders' view about OGD-led government? In spite of the several allegations against same man, the internet, especially the social media is awashed with his praise everyday. If a public office holder leaves office and 2 years after, he is still being celebrated, it means he had made a positive impact!
To me, his name would be mentioned when the history of this great State shall be written for he left it far better than he met it. Still, we must all be united to work together (both the leaders and followers) and be one again, for we have no place to call our own than the great Gateway State.
Long live Ogun State!
Long live Nigeria!!
To begin with, I know Ogun State like the back of my hands and I have also followed Otunba Gbenga Daniel's antecedent from the time Newswatch, the weekly news magazine did a story about in him in its 9th November, Edition 1989 (Page 33). The story was authored by Mr Sam Omatseye, who is currently with the Nations Newspaper. Otunba Gbenga Daniel (OGD) was described in the pieces as a workaholic and an achiever to be noted. I also read about how he became the GM of Shroeder Limited at the age of 31 after receiving four promotions within a year in same company.
In 2003, when OGD came to power, his emergence was widely acknowledged as God's own answer to the prayer of Ogun State folks for visionary, amiable and people focus leadership. The truth of the matter at the time was, since the end of the Second Republic when Chief Olabisi Onabanjo (Aiyekoto) was Governor, Ogun State has never had it so nice in State administration with positive focus and agenda. There was endemic youth unemployment in the State. Services-social, cultural and economic had broken down. People were dying because of the deplorable state of our roads. Health sector was in a mess. In fact, by the order of Nursing & Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NWC), the State Hospital, Ijebu Ode and School of Nursing &Midwifery were ordered to stop to be clinical area for any institutions and persons around the area!
This was why people of Ogun agitated for a true change and OGD was thought to be the desired Messiah. The battle OGD fought and won before he emerged as Governor, which led to the defeat of Chief Segun Osoba was not also an easy one. It was like the confrontation between Isreali's little David and Philistine's Goliath.
OGD began the transformation and the whole nation herald his achievements and within the space of four years, much could be credited to him. But today, many criticisms have trailed his immediate past government. We accused his government of many flaws; we say he's too arrogant and that he tried to inherit everything in the State. Whether these allegations are true or not, I cannot say, I can only talk on what I've seen- his achievements.
We forget easily and when someone offends us, we ignore those days he had been good to us. We have forgotten that we are all human and it's human to make mistake(s). As we are complex as human, so also we are flawed in nature. But what do we make of OGD's landmark achievements? Many of which are first of their kind in the history of the State and even the nation at large.
The amount he paid to unemployed graduates in the State through OGUGRAD scheme (which began in 2007), is a form of unemployment allowance which no government has attempted in the history of Nigerian democracy. OGEGEP created jobs and gave room for knowledge acquisition and thousands of indigent youths can now earn livelihood through the scheme. OGRUMED restored hopes to the dying just as OGROMA restored roads.
As an indigene of this great State called Ogun State, we can boast of four international markets in such places as Ajilete Owode, Yewa and Sagamu. There are now four international stadiums in all the four ethnic divisions in the State. Gateway University of Agriculture, Aiyetoro- first state-owned in Nigeria and Olusegun Obasanjo College of Engineering, Ibogun, also first state-owned in Nigeria are both products of the implementation of multi-campus system of Olabisi Onabanjo University. It is also interesting to mention that Tai Solarin Unversity of Education (TASUED), Ijebu Ode, remains the first in Nigeria and second in black Africa. The 4 ICT polytechnics in such places as Ijebu-Igbo, Igbesa, Sapade and Ibogun are all achievements of OGD administration.
Southwest Resources Centre, a wonder to behold, is a reference point for researchers and ICT compliant people in the State. The new NYSC orientation camp he built in Sagamu is one of the best in the nation. We can boast of 10 housing estates in Ogun State now as a result of OGD-led government. Nigeria Stock Exchange is in Ogun State and if my memory serves me right, I think Gateway Saving & Loans Limited now has another outlet in Ota. OSACA and OSAMCA aided the farmers and small-scale entrepreneurs in no small measure.
In the heat of the transformation, former President Obasanjo was quoted to have said his dream for Ogun State has been turned into reality. The then former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar openly admitted that OGD has demonstrated outstanding resourcefulness, foresight and dogged determination! Prof. Wole Soyinka confirmed 'the various project embarked upon by Governor Daniel are too laudable and practical!' HID Awolowo said OGD has actualized her late husband's plans!
We have had sizeable number of our indigent students who studied in Northubria University, Coventry University, Queen Mary University in London, University of Central Lancashire and University of Birmingham, all on the State-sponsored Human Capital Development Scheme that OGD started. The first batch of which were about 30 students.
The question is, why sudden change of some Ogun leaders' view about OGD-led government? In spite of the several allegations against same man, the internet, especially the social media is awashed with his praise everyday. If a public office holder leaves office and 2 years after, he is still being celebrated, it means he had made a positive impact!
To me, his name would be mentioned when the history of this great State shall be written for he left it far better than he met it. Still, we must all be united to work together (both the leaders and followers) and be one again, for we have no place to call our own than the great Gateway State.
Long live Ogun State!
Long live Nigeria!!
CORRUPTION: AFRICA'S TRADITION OR GLOBAL PROBLEM? Written by Saint-Olawale Jimoh
Some sins are clear and too noticeable and the world at large are quick to condemn both the offence and the offender(s). Yet, corruption is a sin, not readily recognized at formative stage, like virus, until it’s fully grown and even re-producing. Right now, corruption is not still acknowledged as a global problem, instead, the international community, especially America is quick to point to Africa as fertile land for corruption, where it thrives inhibitedly. With recent events being unfolded today, one begins to wonder if the case isn’t the same everywhere.
Few years ago, China’s head of State Food and Drug Administration, Zheng Xianyu, was convicted taking 6.5m yuan (about $ 850,000) in bribes. The bribe made him close his eyes to the sub-standard medicines and tainted goods that caused many deaths in China. But China isn’t an African nation!
140 governments signed a 2003 United Nations Convention against corruption! In fact, around same time, there were more than 100 foreign bribery investigations being treated worldwide, according to Angel Gurria, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development Secretary-General. One of the cases with the highest profile involved the huge German firm, Siemens, which was investigated for allegedly, paying bribes to win telecommunications contracts. The company lamented that, on checking for the past seven years, it has found $550million in payments it could not clearly identify!
In Britain, the anti-corruption investigations over bribes for aero defence contracts’ with Saudi Arabia was dropped by the British Serious Fraud Office at the order of the former British Prime Minister Mr. Tony Blair. Why? For Blair, British’s ties with the Saudis are paramount. He was quoted to have said the investigation would do enormous damages to British’s relationship with Saudi Arabia. Blair also said that ending the contract could cause “thousands of British jobs to be lost!” But Article 5 of the OECD Convention specifically states that neither national economic interests nor foreign relations priorities should influence bribery investigations. But the question is, ‘if Britain, an important signatory to the anti-corruption convention, get away with ignoring the convention’s terms, wouldn’t the whole crusade be futile?
How about America? Former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria , Victor Attah paid one Mr Richard T. Hines, an American lobbyist $1.2m on the theory that the dude would help persuade American government to invest in Akwa Ibom State. Mr Hines was also to solicit aid for Attah’s government. The contract was signed in September 2005 and Mr Hines had one year to work his magic. But nobody in United States was propelled into action by Mr Hines pitch! Attah expected Hines to make Akwa Ibom State a honey pot but what he got was a barrel of castor oil.
The $1.2million Attah paid Mr Hines for a year contract was said to be extremely generous. The generosity was almost on Warren Buffet scale, Buffet and Mr. Bill Gates only help the ill and the needy, the unfortunates of the developing world!
Mr. Hines again appeared in Nigeria with a man called C. Edward Creed. Mr Creed’s greed, his creed of crookedness, led to his ruin after an airline company he and others had set up performed more poorly than the Wright brothers’ aircraft during its maiden flight. Mr Hines told Mr Creed that Attah was a soft touch and that he should ask Attah to give him a contract. Creed, hired by Attah to get some privatization project going, had used money he had been trusted with to start the airline that had no airliner.
Another American named Barry Witz was brought in on the Akwa Ibom project by Hines. Mr Witz is a whizz at dishonesty: ‘he pleaded guilty in 2007 to his role in a conspiracy to defraud investor..
Again, after the same governor had built a world class golf course in Uyo, he desperately sought for the presence of some top world professional golfers at the inauguration. He gave another Mr Thomas Ondeck the contract to fly in top golfers for the inauguration. Ondeck has offices on the firm land of New York City and he boasted he was an experienced lawyer as highlighted on Global Options websites. Ondeck and the golfers flew in from Florida on a chartered plane. It is not known how much Attah paid Ondeck, but Attah had told one American that he had paid $1.5million, a sum that would have covered the golfers’ appearance fee.
All the American representatives Attah had dealings with were called crooks, with proof by Mr Barry Meier in his article, ‘Teed Up: Golf, K Street and Nigeria’ published in The New York Times of April 29, 2007.
John Grisham’s book, The Pelican Brief, contains a legal drama on corruption. It was widely acknowledged to be a true picture of American politics! In the book, Mattice was a rich oil magnate who contributed millions of dollars for the presidential campaign fund-raising. He masterminded the assassination of two Supreme Court justices because of the pending Pelican case upon envisaging the two justices could be obstacles to his winning the lawsuit.
It would be recalled that last year, former French President was convicted for corruption. A judge found Chirac guilty of embezzling public funds. His 2-year sentence in the landmark case was suspended though.
Around same period, there was also a case of 4 New Scotland Yard Detectives that were alleged to have received bribe to the tune of £20,000 over Nigerian James Ibori's case.
The global campaign against corruption may undoubtedly face serious institutional and cultural difficulties. Corruption simply has become a way of life both in developed and developing economies. There is always an excuse for corruption lapses especially when it involves the developed countries. Whichever way it’s viewed, it shouldn’t be seen as only Africa or Nigerian factor, but a global disease that requires serious war that must be jointly fought!
Few years ago, China’s head of State Food and Drug Administration, Zheng Xianyu, was convicted taking 6.5m yuan (about $ 850,000) in bribes. The bribe made him close his eyes to the sub-standard medicines and tainted goods that caused many deaths in China. But China isn’t an African nation!
140 governments signed a 2003 United Nations Convention against corruption! In fact, around same time, there were more than 100 foreign bribery investigations being treated worldwide, according to Angel Gurria, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development Secretary-General. One of the cases with the highest profile involved the huge German firm, Siemens, which was investigated for allegedly, paying bribes to win telecommunications contracts. The company lamented that, on checking for the past seven years, it has found $550million in payments it could not clearly identify!
In Britain, the anti-corruption investigations over bribes for aero defence contracts’ with Saudi Arabia was dropped by the British Serious Fraud Office at the order of the former British Prime Minister Mr. Tony Blair. Why? For Blair, British’s ties with the Saudis are paramount. He was quoted to have said the investigation would do enormous damages to British’s relationship with Saudi Arabia. Blair also said that ending the contract could cause “thousands of British jobs to be lost!” But Article 5 of the OECD Convention specifically states that neither national economic interests nor foreign relations priorities should influence bribery investigations. But the question is, ‘if Britain, an important signatory to the anti-corruption convention, get away with ignoring the convention’s terms, wouldn’t the whole crusade be futile?
How about America? Former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria , Victor Attah paid one Mr Richard T. Hines, an American lobbyist $1.2m on the theory that the dude would help persuade American government to invest in Akwa Ibom State. Mr Hines was also to solicit aid for Attah’s government. The contract was signed in September 2005 and Mr Hines had one year to work his magic. But nobody in United States was propelled into action by Mr Hines pitch! Attah expected Hines to make Akwa Ibom State a honey pot but what he got was a barrel of castor oil.
The $1.2million Attah paid Mr Hines for a year contract was said to be extremely generous. The generosity was almost on Warren Buffet scale, Buffet and Mr. Bill Gates only help the ill and the needy, the unfortunates of the developing world!
Mr. Hines again appeared in Nigeria with a man called C. Edward Creed. Mr Creed’s greed, his creed of crookedness, led to his ruin after an airline company he and others had set up performed more poorly than the Wright brothers’ aircraft during its maiden flight. Mr Hines told Mr Creed that Attah was a soft touch and that he should ask Attah to give him a contract. Creed, hired by Attah to get some privatization project going, had used money he had been trusted with to start the airline that had no airliner.
Another American named Barry Witz was brought in on the Akwa Ibom project by Hines. Mr Witz is a whizz at dishonesty: ‘he pleaded guilty in 2007 to his role in a conspiracy to defraud investor..
Again, after the same governor had built a world class golf course in Uyo, he desperately sought for the presence of some top world professional golfers at the inauguration. He gave another Mr Thomas Ondeck the contract to fly in top golfers for the inauguration. Ondeck has offices on the firm land of New York City and he boasted he was an experienced lawyer as highlighted on Global Options websites. Ondeck and the golfers flew in from Florida on a chartered plane. It is not known how much Attah paid Ondeck, but Attah had told one American that he had paid $1.5million, a sum that would have covered the golfers’ appearance fee.
All the American representatives Attah had dealings with were called crooks, with proof by Mr Barry Meier in his article, ‘Teed Up: Golf, K Street and Nigeria’ published in The New York Times of April 29, 2007.
John Grisham’s book, The Pelican Brief, contains a legal drama on corruption. It was widely acknowledged to be a true picture of American politics! In the book, Mattice was a rich oil magnate who contributed millions of dollars for the presidential campaign fund-raising. He masterminded the assassination of two Supreme Court justices because of the pending Pelican case upon envisaging the two justices could be obstacles to his winning the lawsuit.
It would be recalled that last year, former French President was convicted for corruption. A judge found Chirac guilty of embezzling public funds. His 2-year sentence in the landmark case was suspended though.
Around same period, there was also a case of 4 New Scotland Yard Detectives that were alleged to have received bribe to the tune of £20,000 over Nigerian James Ibori's case.
The global campaign against corruption may undoubtedly face serious institutional and cultural difficulties. Corruption simply has become a way of life both in developed and developing economies. There is always an excuse for corruption lapses especially when it involves the developed countries. Whichever way it’s viewed, it shouldn’t be seen as only Africa or Nigerian factor, but a global disease that requires serious war that must be jointly fought!
NIGERIA'S EXECUTIVES' RECKLESSNESS. Written by Saint-Olawale Jimoh
Late last year, following the death of late Andrew Azazi, the whole of Ikoyi area of Lagos, Nigeria, was blocked to traffic for about 5 hours. Reports at the time has it that President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan(GEJ) was to visit the family of late Gen Azazi who died in the plane crash hence the whole of Ikoyi, where the family of the deceased lived was taken over by the military and security personnels.
After shutting down Lagos for over 5 hours, GEJ didn't show up. His Chief of Staff came on his behalf.
This was the third time Jonathan has caused problem with his visit in addition to the one caused by the firstlady, Mrs Dame Patience Jonathan when she visited Lagos.
When shall we overcome this tradition? The advance nations we emulate don't do such.
Prof Adesanmi once narrated the story in Ottawa of a Nigerian, who went to the Cinema and when the lights came on after the film was over, he was shocked to discover that the man sitting right next to him, munching pop corn in the dark, was no other person than Stephen Harper, Canadian Prime Minister. He also told the story of how his humble self had sat side by side with members of British Parliament in the Jubilee line London, travelling towards Westminster station and how he stood side by side with Diane Abbot, the member of Parliament representing Hackney, while waiting for a Taxi!
Even in Africa here, a story was once told of a Prime Minister, who was knocked down by a vehicle while trekking by the roadside to keep an appointment. Why? He evidently didn't have a convoy and his only car had developed fault, so he had to trek. This cannot happen in Nigeria!
President Jonathan, David Mark even Tambowall will not step out of Aso Villa without at least 20 vehicles and dozens of aides in tow. This has got to stop. Our leaders need to change their mindsets. Unfortunately, same leaders send their children abroad to learn the civic awareness they deny our people in Nigeria.
Our leaders want to produce a citizentry who feels it's improper to have access to their leaders and they have succeded. What a nation!
Saint-Olawale Jimoh
Observers' Reflections International
©2013
After shutting down Lagos for over 5 hours, GEJ didn't show up. His Chief of Staff came on his behalf.
This was the third time Jonathan has caused problem with his visit in addition to the one caused by the firstlady, Mrs Dame Patience Jonathan when she visited Lagos.
When shall we overcome this tradition? The advance nations we emulate don't do such.
Prof Adesanmi once narrated the story in Ottawa of a Nigerian, who went to the Cinema and when the lights came on after the film was over, he was shocked to discover that the man sitting right next to him, munching pop corn in the dark, was no other person than Stephen Harper, Canadian Prime Minister. He also told the story of how his humble self had sat side by side with members of British Parliament in the Jubilee line London, travelling towards Westminster station and how he stood side by side with Diane Abbot, the member of Parliament representing Hackney, while waiting for a Taxi!
Even in Africa here, a story was once told of a Prime Minister, who was knocked down by a vehicle while trekking by the roadside to keep an appointment. Why? He evidently didn't have a convoy and his only car had developed fault, so he had to trek. This cannot happen in Nigeria!
President Jonathan, David Mark even Tambowall will not step out of Aso Villa without at least 20 vehicles and dozens of aides in tow. This has got to stop. Our leaders need to change their mindsets. Unfortunately, same leaders send their children abroad to learn the civic awareness they deny our people in Nigeria.
Our leaders want to produce a citizentry who feels it's improper to have access to their leaders and they have succeded. What a nation!
Saint-Olawale Jimoh
Observers' Reflections International
©2013
OTUNBA GBENGA DANIEL, OGUN STATE AND THE NUMEROUS ACCUSATIONS. Written by Saint-Olawale Jimoh
I have tried as much as possible not to do this piece, but the more I try not to write it, the more the urge to write keep flooding my mind. Let me start from the outset that this pieces is not intended to pass judgment on anybody, neither is it put together to praise anyone. In fact, it is not in my brief to say either of these, and I believe no mortal has the judgment of another man in his hands. I'm not a politician and I don’t belong to any political party, I'm only a leader of a civil society group and a curious observer of belligerent posture of things in the Gateway State-my State of Origin.
To begin with, I know Ogun State like the back of my hands and I have also followed Otunba Gbenga Daniel's antecedent from the time Newswatch, the weekly news magazine did a story about in him in its 9th November, Edition 1989 (Page 33). The story was authored by Mr Sam Omatseye, who is currently with the Nations Newspaper. Otunba Gbenga Daniel (OGD) was described in the pieces as a workaholic and an achiever to be noted. I also read about how he became the GM of Shroeder Limited at the age of 31 after receiving four promotions within a year in same company.
In 2003, when OGD came to power, his emergence was widely acknowledged as God's own answer to the prayer of Ogun State folks for visionary, amiable and people focus leadership. The truth of the matter at the time was, since the end of the Second Republic when Chief Olabisi Onabanjo (Aiyekoto) was Governor, Ogun State has never had it so nice in State administration with positive focus and agenda. There was endemic youth unemployment in the State. Services-social, cultural and economic had broken down. People were dying because of the deplorable state of our roads. Health sector was in a mess. In fact, by the order of Nursing & Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NWC), the State Hospital, Ijebu Ode and School of Nursing &Midwifery were ordered to stop to be clinical area for any institutions and persons around the area!
This was why people of Ogun agitated for a true change and OGD was thought to be the desired Messiah. The battle OGD fought and won before he emerged as Governor, which led to the defeat of Chief Segun Osoba was not also an easy one. It was like the confrontation between Isreali's little David and Philistine's Goliath.
OGD began the transformation and the whole nation herald his achievements and within the space of four years, much could be credited to him. But today, many criticisms have trailed his immediate past government. We accused his government of many flaws; we say he's too arrogant and that he tried to inherit everything in the State. Whether these allegations are true or not, I cannot say, I can only talk on what I've seen- his achievements.
We forget easily and when someone offends us, we ignore those days he had been good to us. We have forgotten that we are all human and it's human to make mistake(s). As we are complex as human, so also we are flawed in nature. But what do we make of OGD's landmark achievements? Many of which are first of their kind in the history of the State and even the nation at large.
The amount he paid to unemployed graduates in the State through OGUGRAD scheme (which began in 2007), is a form of unemployment allowance which no government has attempted in the history of Nigerian democracy. OGEGEP created jobs and gave room for knowledge acquisition and thousands of indigent youths can now earn livelihood through the scheme. OGRUMED restored hopes to the dying just as OGROMA restored roads.
As an indigene of this great State called Ogun State, we can boast of four international markets in such places as Ajilete Owode, Yewa and Sagamu. There are now four international stadiums in all the four ethnic divisions in the State. Gateway University of Agriculture, Aiyetoro- first state-owned in Nigeria and Olusegun Obasanjo College of Engineering, Ibogun, also first state-owned in Nigeria are both products of the implementation of multi-campus system of Olabisi Onabanjo University. It is also interesting to mention that Tai Solarin Unversity of Education (TASUED), Ijebu Ode, remains the first in Nigeria and second in black Africa. The 4 ICT polytechnics in such places as Ijebu-Igbo, Igbesa, Sapade and Ibogun are all achievements of OGD administration.
Southwest Resources Centre, a wonder to behold, is a reference point for researchers and ICT compliant people in the State. The new NYSC orientation camp he built in Sagamu is one of the best in the nation. We can boast of 10 housing estates in Ogun State now as a result of OGD led government. Nigeria Stock Exchange is in Ogun State and if my memory serves me right, I think Gateway Saving & Loans Limited now has another outlet in Ota. OSACA and OSAMCA aided the farmers and small-scale entrepreneurs in no small measure.
In the heat of the transformation, former President Obasanjo was quoted to have said his dream for Ogun State has been turned into reality. The then former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar openly admitted that OGD has demonstrated outstanding resourcefulness, foresight and dogged determination! Prof. Wole Soyinka confirmed 'the various project embarked upon by Governor Daniel are too laudable and practical!' HID Awolowo said OGD has actualized her late husband's plans!
We have had sizeable number of our indigent students who studied in Northubria University, Coventry University, Queen Mary University in London, University of Central Lancashire and University of Birmingham, all on the State-sponsored Human Capital Development Scheme that OGD started. The first batch of which were about 30 students.
The question is, why sudden change of some Ogun leaders' view about OGD-led government? In spite of the several allegations against same man, the internet, especially the social media is awashed with his praise everyday. If a public office holder leaves office and 2 years after, he is still being celebrated, it means he had made a positive impact!
To me, his name would be mentioned when the history of this great State shall be written for he left it far better than he met it. Still, we must all be united to work together (both the leaders and followers) and be one again, for we have no place to call our own than the great Gateway State.
Long live Ogun Gateway State!
Long live Nigeria!!
Saint-Olawale Jimoh
Observers' Reflections International
©2013
To begin with, I know Ogun State like the back of my hands and I have also followed Otunba Gbenga Daniel's antecedent from the time Newswatch, the weekly news magazine did a story about in him in its 9th November, Edition 1989 (Page 33). The story was authored by Mr Sam Omatseye, who is currently with the Nations Newspaper. Otunba Gbenga Daniel (OGD) was described in the pieces as a workaholic and an achiever to be noted. I also read about how he became the GM of Shroeder Limited at the age of 31 after receiving four promotions within a year in same company.
In 2003, when OGD came to power, his emergence was widely acknowledged as God's own answer to the prayer of Ogun State folks for visionary, amiable and people focus leadership. The truth of the matter at the time was, since the end of the Second Republic when Chief Olabisi Onabanjo (Aiyekoto) was Governor, Ogun State has never had it so nice in State administration with positive focus and agenda. There was endemic youth unemployment in the State. Services-social, cultural and economic had broken down. People were dying because of the deplorable state of our roads. Health sector was in a mess. In fact, by the order of Nursing & Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NWC), the State Hospital, Ijebu Ode and School of Nursing &Midwifery were ordered to stop to be clinical area for any institutions and persons around the area!
This was why people of Ogun agitated for a true change and OGD was thought to be the desired Messiah. The battle OGD fought and won before he emerged as Governor, which led to the defeat of Chief Segun Osoba was not also an easy one. It was like the confrontation between Isreali's little David and Philistine's Goliath.
OGD began the transformation and the whole nation herald his achievements and within the space of four years, much could be credited to him. But today, many criticisms have trailed his immediate past government. We accused his government of many flaws; we say he's too arrogant and that he tried to inherit everything in the State. Whether these allegations are true or not, I cannot say, I can only talk on what I've seen- his achievements.
We forget easily and when someone offends us, we ignore those days he had been good to us. We have forgotten that we are all human and it's human to make mistake(s). As we are complex as human, so also we are flawed in nature. But what do we make of OGD's landmark achievements? Many of which are first of their kind in the history of the State and even the nation at large.
The amount he paid to unemployed graduates in the State through OGUGRAD scheme (which began in 2007), is a form of unemployment allowance which no government has attempted in the history of Nigerian democracy. OGEGEP created jobs and gave room for knowledge acquisition and thousands of indigent youths can now earn livelihood through the scheme. OGRUMED restored hopes to the dying just as OGROMA restored roads.
As an indigene of this great State called Ogun State, we can boast of four international markets in such places as Ajilete Owode, Yewa and Sagamu. There are now four international stadiums in all the four ethnic divisions in the State. Gateway University of Agriculture, Aiyetoro- first state-owned in Nigeria and Olusegun Obasanjo College of Engineering, Ibogun, also first state-owned in Nigeria are both products of the implementation of multi-campus system of Olabisi Onabanjo University. It is also interesting to mention that Tai Solarin Unversity of Education (TASUED), Ijebu Ode, remains the first in Nigeria and second in black Africa. The 4 ICT polytechnics in such places as Ijebu-Igbo, Igbesa, Sapade and Ibogun are all achievements of OGD administration.
Southwest Resources Centre, a wonder to behold, is a reference point for researchers and ICT compliant people in the State. The new NYSC orientation camp he built in Sagamu is one of the best in the nation. We can boast of 10 housing estates in Ogun State now as a result of OGD led government. Nigeria Stock Exchange is in Ogun State and if my memory serves me right, I think Gateway Saving & Loans Limited now has another outlet in Ota. OSACA and OSAMCA aided the farmers and small-scale entrepreneurs in no small measure.
In the heat of the transformation, former President Obasanjo was quoted to have said his dream for Ogun State has been turned into reality. The then former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar openly admitted that OGD has demonstrated outstanding resourcefulness, foresight and dogged determination! Prof. Wole Soyinka confirmed 'the various project embarked upon by Governor Daniel are too laudable and practical!' HID Awolowo said OGD has actualized her late husband's plans!
We have had sizeable number of our indigent students who studied in Northubria University, Coventry University, Queen Mary University in London, University of Central Lancashire and University of Birmingham, all on the State-sponsored Human Capital Development Scheme that OGD started. The first batch of which were about 30 students.
The question is, why sudden change of some Ogun leaders' view about OGD-led government? In spite of the several allegations against same man, the internet, especially the social media is awashed with his praise everyday. If a public office holder leaves office and 2 years after, he is still being celebrated, it means he had made a positive impact!
To me, his name would be mentioned when the history of this great State shall be written for he left it far better than he met it. Still, we must all be united to work together (both the leaders and followers) and be one again, for we have no place to call our own than the great Gateway State.
Long live Ogun Gateway State!
Long live Nigeria!!
Saint-Olawale Jimoh
Observers' Reflections International
©2013
Tuesday 19 February 2013
CORRUPTION: AFRICA'S TRADITION OR GLOBAL PROBLEM? Written by Saint-Olawale Jimoh
Some sins are clear and too noticeable and the world at large are quick to condemn both the offence and the offender(s). Yet, corruption is a sin, not readily recognized at formative stage, like virus, until it’s fully grown and even re-producing. Right now, corruption is not still acknowledged as a global problem, instead, the international community, especially America is quick to point to Africa as fertile land for corruption, where it thrives inhibitedly. With recent events being unfolded today, one begins to wonder if the case isn’t the same everywhere.
Few years ago, China’s head of State Food and Drug Administration, Zheng Xianyu, was convicted taking 6.5m yuan (about $ 850,000) in bribes. The bribe made him close his eyes to the sub-standard medicines and tainted goods that caused many deaths in China. But China isn’t an African nation!
140 governments signed a 2003 United Nations Convention against corruption! In fact, around same time, there were more than 100 foreign bribery investigations being treated worldwide, according to Angel Gurria, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development Secretary-General. One of the cases with the highest profile involved the huge German firm, Siemens, which was investigated for allegedly, paying bribes to win telecommunications contracts. The company lamented that, on checking for the past seven years, it has found $550million in payments it could not clearly identify!
In Britain, the anti-corruption investigations over bribes for aero defence contracts’ with Saudi Arabia was dropped by the British Serious Fraud Office at the order of the former British Prime Minister Mr. Tony Blair. Why? For Blair, British’s ties with the Saudis are paramount. He was quoted to have said the investigation would do enormous damages to British’s relationship with Saudi Arabia. Blair also said that ending the contract could cause “thousands of British jobs to be lost!” But Article 5 of the OECD Convention specifically states that neither national economic interests nor foreign relations priorities should influence bribery investigations. But the question is, ‘if Britain, an important signatory to the anti-corruption convention, get away with ignoring the convention’s terms, wouldn’t the whole crusade be futile?
How about America? Former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria , Victor Attah paid one Mr Richard T. Hines, an American lobbyist $1.2m on the theory that the dude would help persuade American government to invest in Akwa Ibom State. Mr Hines was also to solicit aid for Attah’s government. The contract was signed in September 2005 and Mr Hines had one year to work his magic. But nobody in United States was propelled into action by Mr Hines pitch! Attah expected Hines to make Akwa Ibom State a honey pot but what he got was a barrel of castor oil.
The $1.2million Attah paid Mr Hines for a year contract was said to be extremely generous. The generosity was almost on Warren Buffet scale, Buffet and Mr. Bill Gates only help the ill and the needy, the unfortunates of the developing world!
Mr. Hines again appeared in Nigeria with a man called C. Edward Creed. Mr Creed’s greed, his creed of crookedness, led to his ruin after an airline company he and others had set up performed more poorly than the Wright brothers’ aircraft during its maiden flight. Mr Hines told Mr Creed that Attah was a soft touch and that he should ask Attah to give him a contract. Creed, hired by Attah to get some privatization project going, had used money he had been trusted with to start the airline that had no airliner.
Another American named Barry Witz was brought in on the Akwa Ibom project by Hines. Mr Witz is a whizz at dishonesty: ‘he pleaded guilty in 2007 to his role in a conspiracy to defraud investor..
Again, after the same governor had built a world class golf course in Uyo, he desperately sought for the presence of some top world professional golfers at the inauguration. He gave another Mr Thomas Ondeck the contract to fly in top golfers for the inauguration. Ondeck has offices on the firm land of New York City and he boasted he was an experienced lawyer as highlighted on Global Options websites. Ondeck and the golfers flew in from Florida on a chartered plane. It is not known how much Attah paid Ondeck, but Attah had told one American that he had paid $1.5million, a sum that would have covered the golfers’ appearance fee.
All the American representatives Attah had dealings with were called crooks, with proof by Mr Barry Meier in his article, ‘Teed Up: Golf, K Street and Nigeria’ published in The New York Times of April 29, 2007.
John Grisham’s book, The Pelican Brief, contains a legal drama on corruption. It was widely acknowledged to be a true picture of American politics! In the book, Mattice was a rich oil magnate who contributed millions of dollars for the presidential campaign fund-raising. He masterminded the assassination of two Supreme Court justices because of the pending Pelican case upon envisaging the two justices could be obstacles to his winning the lawsuit.
It would be recalled that last year, former French President was convicted for corruption. A judge found Chirac guilty of embezzling public funds. His 2-year sentence in the landmark case was suspended though.
Around same period, there was also a case of 4 New Scotland Yard Detectives that were alleged to have received bribe to the tune of £20,000 over Nigerian James Ibori's case.
The global campaign against corruption may undoubtedly face serious institutional and cultural difficulties. Corruption simply has become a way of life both in developed and developing economies. There is always an excuse for corruption lapses especially when it involves the developed countries. Whichever way it’s viewed, it shouldn’t be seen as only Africa or Nigerian factor, but a global disease that requires serious war that must be jointly fought!
Saint-Olawale Jimoh
Observers Reflections Int'l
©2013
Few years ago, China’s head of State Food and Drug Administration, Zheng Xianyu, was convicted taking 6.5m yuan (about $ 850,000) in bribes. The bribe made him close his eyes to the sub-standard medicines and tainted goods that caused many deaths in China. But China isn’t an African nation!
140 governments signed a 2003 United Nations Convention against corruption! In fact, around same time, there were more than 100 foreign bribery investigations being treated worldwide, according to Angel Gurria, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development Secretary-General. One of the cases with the highest profile involved the huge German firm, Siemens, which was investigated for allegedly, paying bribes to win telecommunications contracts. The company lamented that, on checking for the past seven years, it has found $550million in payments it could not clearly identify!
In Britain, the anti-corruption investigations over bribes for aero defence contracts’ with Saudi Arabia was dropped by the British Serious Fraud Office at the order of the former British Prime Minister Mr. Tony Blair. Why? For Blair, British’s ties with the Saudis are paramount. He was quoted to have said the investigation would do enormous damages to British’s relationship with Saudi Arabia. Blair also said that ending the contract could cause “thousands of British jobs to be lost!” But Article 5 of the OECD Convention specifically states that neither national economic interests nor foreign relations priorities should influence bribery investigations. But the question is, ‘if Britain, an important signatory to the anti-corruption convention, get away with ignoring the convention’s terms, wouldn’t the whole crusade be futile?
How about America? Former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria , Victor Attah paid one Mr Richard T. Hines, an American lobbyist $1.2m on the theory that the dude would help persuade American government to invest in Akwa Ibom State. Mr Hines was also to solicit aid for Attah’s government. The contract was signed in September 2005 and Mr Hines had one year to work his magic. But nobody in United States was propelled into action by Mr Hines pitch! Attah expected Hines to make Akwa Ibom State a honey pot but what he got was a barrel of castor oil.
The $1.2million Attah paid Mr Hines for a year contract was said to be extremely generous. The generosity was almost on Warren Buffet scale, Buffet and Mr. Bill Gates only help the ill and the needy, the unfortunates of the developing world!
Mr. Hines again appeared in Nigeria with a man called C. Edward Creed. Mr Creed’s greed, his creed of crookedness, led to his ruin after an airline company he and others had set up performed more poorly than the Wright brothers’ aircraft during its maiden flight. Mr Hines told Mr Creed that Attah was a soft touch and that he should ask Attah to give him a contract. Creed, hired by Attah to get some privatization project going, had used money he had been trusted with to start the airline that had no airliner.
Another American named Barry Witz was brought in on the Akwa Ibom project by Hines. Mr Witz is a whizz at dishonesty: ‘he pleaded guilty in 2007 to his role in a conspiracy to defraud investor..
Again, after the same governor had built a world class golf course in Uyo, he desperately sought for the presence of some top world professional golfers at the inauguration. He gave another Mr Thomas Ondeck the contract to fly in top golfers for the inauguration. Ondeck has offices on the firm land of New York City and he boasted he was an experienced lawyer as highlighted on Global Options websites. Ondeck and the golfers flew in from Florida on a chartered plane. It is not known how much Attah paid Ondeck, but Attah had told one American that he had paid $1.5million, a sum that would have covered the golfers’ appearance fee.
All the American representatives Attah had dealings with were called crooks, with proof by Mr Barry Meier in his article, ‘Teed Up: Golf, K Street and Nigeria’ published in The New York Times of April 29, 2007.
John Grisham’s book, The Pelican Brief, contains a legal drama on corruption. It was widely acknowledged to be a true picture of American politics! In the book, Mattice was a rich oil magnate who contributed millions of dollars for the presidential campaign fund-raising. He masterminded the assassination of two Supreme Court justices because of the pending Pelican case upon envisaging the two justices could be obstacles to his winning the lawsuit.
It would be recalled that last year, former French President was convicted for corruption. A judge found Chirac guilty of embezzling public funds. His 2-year sentence in the landmark case was suspended though.
Around same period, there was also a case of 4 New Scotland Yard Detectives that were alleged to have received bribe to the tune of £20,000 over Nigerian James Ibori's case.
The global campaign against corruption may undoubtedly face serious institutional and cultural difficulties. Corruption simply has become a way of life both in developed and developing economies. There is always an excuse for corruption lapses especially when it involves the developed countries. Whichever way it’s viewed, it shouldn’t be seen as only Africa or Nigerian factor, but a global disease that requires serious war that must be jointly fought!
Saint-Olawale Jimoh
Observers Reflections Int'l
©2013
Nigeria's Executives Recklessness
Late last year, following the death of late Andrew Azazi, the whole of Ikoyi area of Lagos, Nigeria, was blocked to traffic for about 5 hours. Reports at the time has it that President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan(GEJ) was to visit the family of late Gen Azazi who died in the plane crash hence the whole of Ikoyi was taken over by the military and security personnels.
After shutting down Lagos for over 5 hours, GEJ didn't show up but sent his Chief of Staff.
This was the third time Jonathan has caused problem with his visit in addition to the one caused by the firstlady, Mrs Jonathan when she visited Lagos.
When shall we overcome this tradition? The advance nations we emulate don't do such.
Prof Adesanmi once narrated the story in Ottawa of a Nigerian, who went to the Cinema and when the lights came on after the film was over, he was shocked to discover that the man sitting right next to him, munching pop corn in the dark, was no other person than Stephen Harper, Canadian Prime Minister. He also told the story of how his humble self had sat side by side with members of British Parliament in the Jubilee line London, travelling towards Westminster station and how he stood side by side with Diane Abbot, the member of Parliament representing Hackney, while waiting for a Taxi!
Even in Africa here, a story was once told of a Prime Minister, who was knocked down by a vehicle while trekking by the roadside to keep an appointment. Why? He evidently didn't have a convoy and his only car had developed fault, so he had to trek. This cannot happen in Nigeria!
President Jonathan, David Mark even Tambowall will not step out of Aso Villa without at least 20 vehicles and dozens of aides in tow. This has got to stop. Our leaders need to change their mindsets. Unfortunately, same leaders send their children abroad to learn the civic awareness they deny our people in Nigeria.
Our leaders want to produce a citizentry who feels it's improper to have access to their leaders and they have succeded. What a nation!
Saint-Olawale Jimoh
Observers Reflections Int'l
©2013
After shutting down Lagos for over 5 hours, GEJ didn't show up but sent his Chief of Staff.
This was the third time Jonathan has caused problem with his visit in addition to the one caused by the firstlady, Mrs Jonathan when she visited Lagos.
When shall we overcome this tradition? The advance nations we emulate don't do such.
Prof Adesanmi once narrated the story in Ottawa of a Nigerian, who went to the Cinema and when the lights came on after the film was over, he was shocked to discover that the man sitting right next to him, munching pop corn in the dark, was no other person than Stephen Harper, Canadian Prime Minister. He also told the story of how his humble self had sat side by side with members of British Parliament in the Jubilee line London, travelling towards Westminster station and how he stood side by side with Diane Abbot, the member of Parliament representing Hackney, while waiting for a Taxi!
Even in Africa here, a story was once told of a Prime Minister, who was knocked down by a vehicle while trekking by the roadside to keep an appointment. Why? He evidently didn't have a convoy and his only car had developed fault, so he had to trek. This cannot happen in Nigeria!
President Jonathan, David Mark even Tambowall will not step out of Aso Villa without at least 20 vehicles and dozens of aides in tow. This has got to stop. Our leaders need to change their mindsets. Unfortunately, same leaders send their children abroad to learn the civic awareness they deny our people in Nigeria.
Our leaders want to produce a citizentry who feels it's improper to have access to their leaders and they have succeded. What a nation!
Saint-Olawale Jimoh
Observers Reflections Int'l
©2013
LESSON FROM POPE BENEDICT XVI RESIGNATION. Written by Saint-Olawale Jimoh
The other day, the pictures of a frail and moron-looking Governor of Taraba State, Danfulani Suntai, was being released by a cabal in his administration with one of his new babies almost tucked in between his armpit while being supported with two arms at the back. D reason at d time was to prevent his deputy from being sworn in. Suntai was alleged to have suffered severe brain damage after the plane crash, yet d cabal in his govt had to "package" him in photographs to convince people all was well with d ailing governor. They wanted a brain-damaged man be allowed to continue to "govern" a state in proxy!
It would be recalled same thing happened in Yar'dua days.
Sillivan Chime of Enugu State left d pple of his State for more than 3months while battling illness abroad not until d people decided to stage a protest demanding d whereabout of their governor that his whereabout was made public. Liyel had same problem with his people..
Question is, why do Nigerian leaders always resort to this desperate measures to cling to power endlessly even when they're unfit healthwise?
I believe the resignation story of Pope Benedict XVI would make them have a re-think. Here is man, a former professor of theology at d University of Tuebingen, Germany, who felt his health was deteriorating, yet he needed to carry out his duties of being d leaders of more than a billion Roman Catholics worldwide. The only option he considered appropriate was to resign.
Fact is, many of our leaders have weak bodies but greedy minds!
It would be recalled same thing happened in Yar'dua days.
Sillivan Chime of Enugu State left d pple of his State for more than 3months while battling illness abroad not until d people decided to stage a protest demanding d whereabout of their governor that his whereabout was made public. Liyel had same problem with his people..
Question is, why do Nigerian leaders always resort to this desperate measures to cling to power endlessly even when they're unfit healthwise?
I believe the resignation story of Pope Benedict XVI would make them have a re-think. Here is man, a former professor of theology at d University of Tuebingen, Germany, who felt his health was deteriorating, yet he needed to carry out his duties of being d leaders of more than a billion Roman Catholics worldwide. The only option he considered appropriate was to resign.
Fact is, many of our leaders have weak bodies but greedy minds!
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