OPINION: The Rains And The Pains

By Luke Onyekakeyah

   The deplorable state of infrastructure in the country is a major source of worry whenever the seasons swing and rains take over. The poor dilapidated roads, the precariously hanging bridges that could be washed away in storm water, the inefficient and clogged drainage channels and the massive floods that wreak havoc are some of the problems that raise apprehension during the rainy season.

All over the country, the rainy season makes life miserable for millions of people. But the situation would be different if functional and social infrastructure facilities were in place. The rainy season exposes the underbelly of our cities and towns.

Added to this is the poor housing condition in which most Nigerians live. All over the place, from the villages to the urban centres, the shanties, the makeshift structures that stand for houses and the slums where millions live in terrible environmental condition make the rains a curse to many. Year in year out, people living in terrible condition go through hell to survive the ravages of the rainy season.

There are citizens whose living rooms and immediate surroundings are permanently flooded throughout the rainy season. Such people are exposed to infections, diseases and ailments. There are others who live in somewhat hospitable housing but have no access roads to pass to their homes. With no official assistance from government, millions of people lose property worth millions to the tempestuous rainy season.

One group that has cause to welcome the rains is the farmers. To the farmers, the rains herald the planting season. The rains bring joy and guarantee a bountiful harvest after a successful planting season. Without the rains, the farmers won’t cultivate and there will be poor harvest. Faming breeds hunger and starvation. In a country like Nigeria where agriculture has been relegated to the background, lack of food is a major constraint to socio-economic development.

Luckily, unlike in some countries where drought wreaks havoc to agricultural production, the rains have been fairly regular here. What is lacking is the policy thrust by government to revamp the agricultural sector through a systematic assistance and incentive to the real farmers. The agricultural loan scheme often anchored by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) could serve that purpose if the real farmers and not the ad-hoc “commercial agricultural adventurers” get the loans.

Ordinarily, the onset of the rainy season should bring joy and happiness especially after the long hot dry season compounded by the endemic national power blackout. The rains sooth the scorching heat, reduce temperatures, water the earth and mop the dusty ground. These conditions make everyone, especially the urban dwellers to feel at ease. The cool nights provide excellent condition for sound sleep. Without the usual night sweating, rashes in children, the rains provide ideal weather condition. But as the rains get heavier, there are issues to watch in Nigeria’s social and economic complex.

First is building collapse. The rainy season is a season of building collapse. Some buildings would surely collapse and wreak havoc on occupants. This problem is more prevalent in Lagos State. However, other towns like Port Harcourt, Abuja, Benin, etc have also had building collapse.

The Lagos State Government, for obvious reasons, should be fully aware of this problem. The state has recorded the highest number of building collapses in recent times. Hundreds of people have perished in the ugly incidents. Many factors are responsible. Structural failure of buildings due to poor engineering design and construction is mostly responsible.

The acute accommodation problem in Nigeria’s urban centres prevents occupants of dilapidated buildings from evacuating before disaster occurs. The Lagos State Government should mount a public enlightenment campaign to alert citizens on the possibility of building collapse during the rainy season. 

Residents should be wary of this danger. People should be enlightened to take notice of cracks and tilts in their residential buildings and report such to the authorities. Telephone numbers should be provided where such reports should be made. The same should be carried out in all the southern states in particular and Nigeria as a whole.

By so doing, everybody would be at alert to avert possible disasters. There may be need to evacuate residents as the case may be like in typhoon and hurricane prone Asia and America, where citizens are alerted on the approach of dangerous winds. Given the number of building collapses that have been recorded, the authorities should not pretend not to be aware of the problem.

There is need for governments across the federation to put emergency structures in place in readiness for possible disasters. Whether it is building collapse or massive floods that occur after heavy torrential downpour, the national and state emergency outfits should be on standby to tackle such problems when they occur. In the past few years, there have been massive floods in Kano, Kaduna, Plateau State, Abeokuta, Owerri and, of course, Lagos, among others.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Red Cross, Civil Defence and others should be on standby. The state governments should make provision for emergency relief supplies for victims of floods, building collapses and thunderstorms. It is needless running helter-skelter after disaster occurs. The authorities should be prepared beforehand.

Second, Nigerian road travellers are exposed to untold hardship during the rainy season because the country’s major highways are in tatters. The notorious Lagos-Ore-Benin highway has not been fully rehabilitated. The unending patchwork on the road has done little to improve its condition. Travellers on this road should be wary how and when they should travel to avoid getting stuck on the road.

It is amazing that Lagos has so far not had heavy rains that trigger flooding. The apparent dryness of Lagos since July is unusual and may be due to climate change. There is a general low rainfall prediction for this year by NIMET. But this is not the case in the South-East and South-South zones, where torrential rains have continued unabatedly.

In Owerri, the Imo State Government has embarked on a massive urban renewal programme to bring the city to acceptable standard. The demolition of shanties along the major roads has not gone down well with most people. But there is no other way to create a decent city. The government should have a plan for reconstruction and not leave things in shatters.

NIGERIA’S UNITY IS NEGOTIABLE - GODWIN

A few days ago, President Muhammadu Buhari was quoted as telling a group of agitators from the Niger Delta region of the country that “Nigeria’s unity is not negotiable”. He went further by pulling from a former Head of State; General Yakubu Gowon, most popular quote while the Nigeria/Biafra war lasted to buttress his point. That quote said:“to keep Nigeria one is a task that must be done”.

I want to convince myself that the President meant this “clarion” call of “non-negotiable of the Nigerian nation’s unity” for the attention of all militant groups or agitators in the country. This is necessary because what is good for the goose of the Niger Delta geo-political region of Nigeria is even better for other and all geo-political zones of the Country. Of course, this slogan of “Nigeria’s Unity not negotiable” is not new; it is an age-long and over-used phrase by most political leaders in Nigeria. Proof at hand is that this slogan has failed the test of time. It is time for us therefore to go to the other side of the current bargain of “non-negotiable” in finding solution to the peculiar and perilous challenge that may likely put Nigeria asunder sooner than expected by exploring the benefits of “negotiating the unity” of this geographical enterprise called Nigeria.

First and foremost, there was no country by the name Nigeria until 1914 when the amalgamation took place under the watchful eyes of Lord Lugard. He happily adopted the name ‘Nigeria’, a loudly pronounced thought of that British journalist; Dame Flora Louise Shaw [1852 – 1929], who later became Lady Lugard – the adoption itself was negotiated.

In a well-researched lecture given very recently [2013] by one seasoned and old British Scholar in the Nigerian House, London, under the chairmanship of Dalhatu Sarki Tafida; then Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, the revelation on the reason for the 1914 amalgamation by the British Empire was laid on the table. I was there at the lecture just by co-incidence of events.

The two separate protectorates of both south and north coming together in 1914 was “based on the economic consideration of running the protectorate of the north which could not pay its bill”, according to the scholar/researcher, adding that “while the south protectorate was economically self-sufficient, the north protectorate was not”. It is in the face of this reality that the decision was taken by the Home office to fuse both north and south protectorates together “so that the ‘unified’ country would be self-sufficient economically. We, the people of this “area of the Niger”, as opined by Lady Lugard, were “negotiated” into a nebulously packaged unity by powers and influences out-side, even the continent of Africa, purely for the economic exigency of the British.

I want to submit therefore, that a clarion call for the survival of this fraudulent unity that is operational in Nigeria presently should be negotiation-based, by the Nigerian people. Any opposition to this is begging for rapturous disaster. Let us pull from one major historical event of the past to be surer of the most likely profitable route, in enduring national survival, which we need to follow in this matter.

Sometime in the past, in one of the conferences to the build-up of Nigerian independence, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, who became the first Nigerian President [though ceremonial], told his colleagues, mostly the northern delegates to that meeting that “let us forget about our differences and forge ahead, living together in one country”. Sir Ahmadu Bello; the great Sardauna of Sokoto, however countered him, wisely and firmly though, saying “let us understand our differences so that we will be able to know how to live together”. To me, that wise counsel of the Sardauna of Sokoto would remain a manual in interpreting the benefit of negotiation for ever.

If l may be permitted to read the mind of the Sardauna properly, he probably understood where his journey into the “Nigerian unification” started from; in terms of cultural heritage, jihad-based religious concept, imbalance in educational pursuit between the south and the north, inequality in political development, plus many other things, than the Great Zik of Africa; who had wanted his contemporaries “to forget our differences and forge ahead”. The philosophy of negotiation introduced by the Sardauna and accepted by the Colonial Master, though loop-sided to very large extent, brought sanity to the Federation of the First Republic through the practice of properly integrated fiscal federalism, with its hold on resource control by the federated regional units.

This concept remained beneficial to the Nigerian Enterprise until the military incursion to the polity and its subsequent eradication of all norms and ethos of a properly defined fiscal federalism. We have, since this incursion of 1966 and until date, resulted into practice of unitary system of government [which is the truth] or a distorted and disjointed federalism. If the truth must be told therefore, there is no way the unifying nationalities can continue in this type of “damaged” federalism.

The good news however is the fact that there are more prospects, gains and advantages in negotiating living together within legal rules without breaking-up and this can be achieved by “negotiating” the continuous flow of the Nigerian Unity. We can as well refuse to negotiate, with this arrogant expression of “non-negotiable slogan”, and end up into terrible arms hostility amongst the nationalities within the Nigerian entity with the inevitable sad reality of the country breaking into irretrievable pieces. Nigeria as a country would vanish into oblivion if we allow this to happen – God forbid bad thing.

Godwin Etakibuebu, a veteran journalist, wrote from Lagos.

THE SONS OF FUTA JALON (PART 1) BY FEMI FANI-KAYODE

“The new nation called Nigeria should be an estate of our great grandfather Uthman Dan Fodio. We must ruthlessly prevent a change of power. We use the minorities in the North as willing tools and the South as a conquered territory and never allow them to rule over us and never allow them to have control over their future”- Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Saurdana of the Sokoto Caliphate and Premier of Northern Nigeria, Parrot Newspaper, 12th October, 1960, recalled by Tribune, 13th November, 2002.

These are interesting words from the most reverred, prominent and powerful Fulani leader in the history of modern Nigeria. The Saurdana’s world-view, vision and intentions are well-encapsulated here and they are self-evident. They need no further explanation or analysis.

4 WAYS TO STAY MOTIVATED TOWARDS YOUR GOALS

So we’ve gotten through that first part of the New Year, when you’re totally jazzed about your resolutions and you can’t wait to achieve all those goals you’ve set for yourself. But you’re finding that suddenly your motivation is recently dwindling and you just aren’t quite sure how to get it back.

You went full force for a few months, but now you’re feeling the burn – you’re tired, you’re ready for spring and the winter doldrums are really dragging you down. How do you get out of that rut and get your motivation back? And, where did it go anyway? Losing motivation happens to the best of us, but getting back really isn’t as hard you think. Here’s where to look when you’re losing inspiration and motivation for your goals.

WHO IS YOUR HUSBAND’S NEXT OF KIN

 

WHEN IMF VISITS, TEARS FOLLOW

By Owei Lakemfa

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director, Madam Christine Lagarde was on a four-day visit to Nigeria from January 4. She claimed  it was a friendly visit:  “I’m not in Nigeria to  negotiate for IMF loans but to promote fiscal discipline  and favourable  monetary policies” Making the visit look like some holiday for herself, and husband, Monsieur  Xavier Giocanti, she even visited the  Mother Theresa Children Home, Abuja where on behalf of the IMF she donated a hefty sum of $7,500 to  demonstrate that “We at the IMF, we care about

SAUDI ARABIA: TERRORISM AS STATE POLICY

By Owei Lakemfa

 

In the days of innocence, the preachment was ‘Blessed are the peace makers’ In these days of globalization, rather than make peace, nations tend to stoke the fires of conflict. 

 

So is it with the Saudi Arabia-Iran spat which began with the January 2, 2016 mass execution of forty  seven persons after trials which even the  usually complacent United Nations  described as raising “ serious concerns over the nature of the charges and the fairness of the process”

 

At least four of the victims  are Shiite. These included Sheik Nimr al-Nimr who had been identified with peaceful protests. Nimr, a known anti- gun cleric was shot before being arrested, held for eight months and then charged with nebulous crimes like “breaking allegiance with the ruler” Forty three of the men were beheaded while three faced the firing squad.

 

The execution of Nimr was a clear message to the Shiite minority - which constitute fifteen percent of the Saudi population -  that the authorities will not tolerate any dissent.

 

Not unexpectedly, there were negative reactions . In Iran, protesters attacked  Saudi diplomatic buildings. On Sunday, Saudi Arabia cut diplomatic relations with Iran, and interestingly, rather than seek  to deescalate the rising  tension,  a number of countries are stoking the fires. Taking the lead is Bahrain which broke diplomatic relations with Iran on Monday. This is understandable as that country  has been ruled since 1783 by a Sunni minority. When, following the Arab Spring, the populace, which is seventy percent Shia, took to the streets demanding political reforms, Saudi Arabia on March 14, 2011, sent one thousand troops supported by five hundred Emirati soldiers into Bahrain to crush the protests. So for the monarchy in  Bahrain, this is the time to show solidarity with its benefactor.

 

The reason Sudan decided to join the fray by severing diplomatic links with Iran is unclear. But  Sudan realises that Saudi Arabia is one of the favourite sons of  the master in Washington; so what better time to show loyalty to the big boss than now? That may mitigate the unfair  and thuggish attempts by America and its allies to hurl   President  Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir  before the international Criminal Court.

 

Saudi Arabia with its interventions in  Bahrain and  Syria, and bombings in Yemen, has become the new policeman of the Middle East, a role Israel had played over the years. Indeed, one  of the major beneficiaries of the crises and wars  in the Middle East, is Israel, which will have more time to concentrate on the theft of Palestinian lands and denying them an independent  homeland while simultaneously, occupying  Syrian lands like the Golan Heights.

 

However, it will be a mistake to assume that the Saudi monarchy offensive is a defence of faith. In truth, it is a sustained attack on all Saudi citizens, denying them basic rights, masking  economic incompetence  while maintaining its infamous profligacy. Most of the victims of political crackdown in the kingdom are the majority Sunnis. Saudis are jailed for making critical analysis, and, are candidates for beheading if they demand freedom.

 

A major crime is for a Saudi to be accused of “breaking allegiance with the ruler” For this, a number of human rights activists are either in jail or on trial. For instance, activists like Mohammed  al- Qahtani and Abdullah  al-Hamid,  are serving ten and eleven years respectively for such nebulous charges.

 

Now, the monarchy has manufactured a number of “anti-terrorism” laws  which is being used to terrorize Saudis into complete submission. Summarized in eleven paragraphs by the Interior Ministry,  a  terrorist  and  treasonable felon is any Saudi  who engages in the “Abuse of other states and their leaders”  In other words, a Saudi cannot insult  America or  Barack Obama, Russia or Vladimir Putin, Pakistan or Nawal Sharrif, South Africa or Jacob Zuma. But I wonder if this also applies to Syria or Basir al-Assad.  Also classified a terrorist,  is  an atheist or anybody who says anything that can cast doubt on Islam. Any Saudi  who participates  in, calls for or incites combat anywhere in the world, is classified a terrorist. Any Saudi who in the social media or through any means, supports, affiliates or expresses sympathy with any group in the world considered a terrorist organization, is guilty of terrorism.

 

Also declared  a terrorist is any Saudi who communicates  with any group or individual considered  to be terrorist. By Saudi definition, a Saudi is guilty of terrorism and therefore, treasonable felony if he is found “Inciting other states or associations or international organisations against the Kingdom” So  a Saudi who petitions the United Nations or Amnesty International over human rights abuses, or complains to the International labour Organisation over labour practices,  is guilty of terrorism!

 

With such sweeping laws, Saudis will not be able to question  the mismanagement  of their  country’s enormous oil  resources and huge income from pilgrimage. Nor can they protest the imposition of austerity measures which have seen a freeze on appointments, promotions and   new projects.   They cannot  question  the infamous profligacy of the monarchy nor the huge resources frittered away shoring up the wars in Yemen and Syria.

 

The   monarchy does not also think highly of pilgrims and their safety.  Known for its incapability to efficiently organize  pilgrimages which has resulted in horrendous loss of lives  like the 1990  loss of 1,426 people, it is quick to blame the victims. For instance in the last pilgrimage , first a construction crane  collapsed at the Grand Mosque  killing 109 persons.  Thirteen days later,  on September 24,  over one thousand pilgrims were killed  in Mina City  with a number yet to be accounted for.  The immediate  reaction of the Saudi authorities was to blame the dead and injured for allegedly  “not following  established guidelines”. 

 

Following criticism especially from the Iranians, it agreed to investigate the incident including the police closure of some roads in the area immediately leading to the tragedy.

 

Ironically, the  democratic  West and America are comfortable having as a major ally, a country which employs  terrorism as state policy and is allergic to fundamental human and democratic rights.