DO WE REALLY HAVE A ‘NATIONAL ASSEMBLY’ OR “ASSEMBLY OF NON-NATIONALS” WHOSE UNPATRIOTIC ACTIONS ARE BUILDING-UP A FIRE THAT MAY CONSUME THE ENTIRE COUNTRY IN THE NEAR FUTURE?
March 19, 2021 | News
I have consistently noted that it is indeed a sad tale that, while other countries are seen to be establishing capital punishment/tough stands against insurgency groups, the Federal Government of Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari and members of the National Assembly are comfortable with rehabilitating,
DO WE REALLY HAVE A ‘NATIONAL ASSEMBLY’ OR “ASSEMBLY OF NON-NATIONALS” WHOSE UNPATRIOTIC ACTIONS ARE BUILDING-UP A FIRE THAT MAY CONSUME THE ENTIRE COUNTRY IN THE NEAR FUTURE?
I have consistently noted that it is indeed a sad tale that, while other countries are seen to be establishing capital punishment/tough stands against insurgency groups, the Federal Government of Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari and members of the National Assembly are comfortable with rehabilitating, re-engaging and pampering them in the face of increasing insecurity, which has continued to stunt the nation’s developmental strides and painting Nigeria negatively amongst the Comity of nations. Also, every time one takes a careful look at all the issues playing out in the polity, one is often left more confused as to wonder whether we really do have a Government at the Federal, State and Council levels or not. This is a country where, while majority of the citizens are daily suffering unimaginable hardship, hunger, poverty and dehumanizing living conditions in the midst of stupendous wealth and plenty, those few in the political class are daily enriching themselves, living in wasteful affluence and abundance paid with our collective wealth.
That of the members of the National Assembly as the Legislature, is by far the worse - in their gross display of indifference to the plight and sufferings of the Nigerian people. Hence, the subject question, which was actually an extract extension from a short online video some months ago, of a tv programme, The Advocate, anchored by Liborous Oshoma. In his words: “Is it the duty of our National Assembly to make laws to compensate criminality and punish those who abide by the rules? Then one might be tempted to ask if ours is a National Assembly, or Assembly of Non-Nationals? This question becomes pertinent as when one hears that the National Assembly is proposing a bill to grant amnesty to terrorists, and the House of Representative Members are buying foreign vehicles in opposition to Nigerian made. Are these members oblivious of the prevailing situation in Nigeria? In a country where people can hardly feed with $1 (that is N386) a day), the members of our House of Assembly are going to spend about N5.5 billion buying 400 pieces of 2020 model Toyota Camry, at the cost of almost N40m per car. We are informed that the members rejected the locally manufactured Innoson Motors. It is obvious we are here to serve them, and not for them to serve us. Even the members representing Innoson Constituency couldn’t insist that their own vehicles be bought from Innoson Motors. So much for ‘esprit de corps!
“So, money meant to develop and enhance our economy will take flight to foreign lands to buy cars. Yet, tomorrow we will borrow that same money with interest from the same foreign countries to buy more cars and consume more foreign goods. Don’t forget, we have closed our land borders to enable us grow our local economy industries. Who be fool? On their part at the Senate, a bill sponsored by Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, a former Governor of Yobe State, now a Senator, is proposing not just amnesty for repentant Boko Haram members, but to send them abroad for studies. Yet, we say we don’t compensate criminality here in Nigeria, as we deal with them decisively like government will always say. The bill, which will create a national agency for education, rehabilitation, de-radicalization, and integration of repentant insurgents in Nigeria, will get its funding from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND). With such laws, Boko Haram members will soon begin to screen members. As all you need to do to get rehabilitated, and be given foreign scholarships will be to enroll as a member of Boko Haram. Repent after one or two months, and boom, you’re on your way to abroad for studies. Yet, no scholarship for the victims, or the students with the highest score in WAEC or JAMB. Why won’t we be highly spiritual instead of being creative and innovative? I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. What do we tell the children of the victims, who, for no fault of theirs, have found themselves in overcrowded internally displaced peoples’ camp because their parents were killed by Boko Haram insurgents? And that THE SAME STATE THAT CANNOT GUARANTEE THEIR PARENTS’ SAFETY, IS BUSY COMPENSATING THE KILLERS OF THEIR PARENTS WITH FOREIGN EDUCATION. YET, WE EXPECT SUCH KIDS NOT TO TAKE UP ARMS AGAINST THE STATE TOMORROW. We are all a bunch of jokers!
“What will you tell the parents of Leah Sharibu? Or the mother of the abducted school girls in Dapchi? Or those from Chibok; majority of whom are still in captivity today? Or the parents of the boys who were slaughtered in their sleep, in the secondary school in Bunin Yadi? That, while the State that couldn’t bring the killers of their wards and captors of their daughters to book, those arrested by the State are being compensated with salaries and foreign education. Yet, a senator sponsored this bill. Make we de Fear God ohh! IF WE ARE REHABILITATING, EDUCATING AND REINTEGRATING THE TERRORISTS, WHAT HAPPENS TO THE VICTIMS WHO ARE INCREASING IN THEIR NUMBERS BY THE DAY? HAVE THEY BEEN REHABILITATED? ABI DEM NO NEED REHABILITATION?
“HOW DO WE DANCE ON THE GRAVES OF OUR SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE DIED CARELESSLY IN THE FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM, WITH SUCH AN IDEA, AND HOPE TO PROSPER AS A NATION OR FIND PEACE WITH OUR CONSCIENCE AND MAKER? WITH SUCH IDEAS, WITHOUT KNOWING IT, WE ARE GRADUALLY BUILDING AN ARMY OF DISSIDENTS WHO WILL BE EMBOLDENED TO TAKE UP ARMS AGAINST THE STATE IN NO DISTANT TIME. I would therefore advocate that, if our lawmakers don’t want Nigerians to see them as strangers of Assembly of Non-nationals, they should not only jettison this ostentatious lifestyle that further fleeces the country, but strive to make laws that would promote unity, equity, welfare, peace and rehabilitation of all Nigerians, irrespective of tribe and all, because we all need rehabilitation. THE AVERAGE NIGERIAN SHOULD ALSO BE AWARE THAT THE COUNTRY BELONGS TO ALL OF US, AND THE TIME TO BE COLLECTIVE AND GENUINELY INTERESTED IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE EXECUTIVE, LEGISLATIVE AND THE JUDICIARY, IS NOW. AS A LITTLE FIRE YOU LEAVE TODAY, CAN LEAVE YOU WITHOUT A LITTLE IN THE NEAR FUTURE. A WORD SAID IN HALF GOES INTO THE WISE AND BECOMES A WHOLE. Me I don talk my own!”
For Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, a former Governor of Yobe State now a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to have proposed such a bill to compensate criminality in Nigeria, should be of great worry to us all. How can a Senator in this 21st century, who was a former Governor as well, be proposing a law that would only promote criminality? It means he was never fit to have been elected as a Governor in the first place, not to mention being a lawmaker. So, do they not have well-thinking persons in Yobe State that will represent his constituency in the Senate? How did this kind of person get elected as a Governor of a State? Is Nigeria not ashamed to have these kinds of politicians as Governors and Senators in this modern age of advancement and development? This is really quite unfortunate!
It is really bad that the present administration has not been able to build ‘PUBLIC TRUST and CONFIDENCE amongst the majority of Nigerians with its past and present actions/dispositions in tackling the insecurity problem in the country, especially the ones caused by Fulani Herdsmen and the Boko Haram insurgents. It is also appalling to note that, despite all the funds the Nigerian claim to be allocated yearly towards security assurance in the country, including the unaccounted Security Votes enjoyed by State Governments; the insecurity situation in the country has gone from bad to worse, especially under the present administration. And even the welfare and security gadgets/apparatus that ought to be made available and used by Security Operatives, are nothing to write home about. Making it look like the Politicians, are deliberating starving the country’s Security outfits/Forces of required funds for their well-equipping and well-staffing, to function as they ought to; for selfish reasons best known to only them.
It is only righteousness (right and honest living and accountability), especially on the part of the leaders, that will exalt a nation. Any PUBLIC TRUST that is founded and operated on lies, deception and selfishness, will never yield desired results for all, and will be on its way to destruction if care is not taken, which will in-turn affect those whose evil hands have abused the said public trust in the first place.
Zik Gbemre.
March 19, 2021
We Mobilize Others To Fight For Individual Causes As If Those Were Our Causes
I have consistently noted that it is indeed a sad tale that, while other countries are seen to be establishing capital punishment/tough stands against insurgency groups, the Federal Government of Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari and members of the National Assembly are comfortable with rehabilitating, re-engaging and pampering them in the face of increasing insecurity, which has continued to stunt the nation’s developmental strides and painting Nigeria negatively amongst the Comity of nations. Also, every time one takes a careful look at all the issues playing out in the polity, one is often left more confused as to wonder whether we really do have a Government at the Federal, State and Council levels or not. This is a country where, while majority of the citizens are daily suffering unimaginable hardship, hunger, poverty and dehumanizing living conditions in the midst of stupendous wealth and plenty, those few in the political class are daily enriching themselves, living in wasteful affluence and abundance paid with our collective wealth.
That of the members of the National Assembly as the Legislature, is by far the worse - in their gross display of indifference to the plight and sufferings of the Nigerian people. Hence, the subject question, which was actually an extract extension from a short online video some months ago, of a tv programme, The Advocate, anchored by Liborous Oshoma. In his words: “Is it the duty of our National Assembly to make laws to compensate criminality and punish those who abide by the rules? Then one might be tempted to ask if ours is a National Assembly, or Assembly of Non-Nationals? This question becomes pertinent as when one hears that the National Assembly is proposing a bill to grant amnesty to terrorists, and the House of Representative Members are buying foreign vehicles in opposition to Nigerian made. Are these members oblivious of the prevailing situation in Nigeria? In a country where people can hardly feed with $1 (that is N386) a day), the members of our House of Assembly are going to spend about N5.5 billion buying 400 pieces of 2020 model Toyota Camry, at the cost of almost N40m per car. We are informed that the members rejected the locally manufactured Innoson Motors. It is obvious we are here to serve them, and not for them to serve us. Even the members representing Innoson Constituency couldn’t insist that their own vehicles be bought from Innoson Motors. So much for ‘esprit de corps!
“So, money meant to develop and enhance our economy will take flight to foreign lands to buy cars. Yet, tomorrow we will borrow that same money with interest from the same foreign countries to buy more cars and consume more foreign goods. Don’t forget, we have closed our land borders to enable us grow our local economy industries. Who be fool? On their part at the Senate, a bill sponsored by Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, a former Governor of Yobe State, now a Senator, is proposing not just amnesty for repentant Boko Haram members, but to send them abroad for studies. Yet, we say we don’t compensate criminality here in Nigeria, as we deal with them decisively like government will always say. The bill, which will create a national agency for education, rehabilitation, de-radicalization, and integration of repentant insurgents in Nigeria, will get its funding from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND). With such laws, Boko Haram members will soon begin to screen members. As all you need to do to get rehabilitated, and be given foreign scholarships will be to enroll as a member of Boko Haram. Repent after one or two months, and boom, you’re on your way to abroad for studies. Yet, no scholarship for the victims, or the students with the highest score in WAEC or JAMB. Why won’t we be highly spiritual instead of being creative and innovative? I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. What do we tell the children of the victims, who, for no fault of theirs, have found themselves in overcrowded internally displaced peoples’ camp because their parents were killed by Boko Haram insurgents? And that THE SAME STATE THAT CANNOT GUARANTEE THEIR PARENTS’ SAFETY, IS BUSY COMPENSATING THE KILLERS OF THEIR PARENTS WITH FOREIGN EDUCATION. YET, WE EXPECT SUCH KIDS NOT TO TAKE UP ARMS AGAINST THE STATE TOMORROW. We are all a bunch of jokers!
“What will you tell the parents of Leah Sharibu? Or the mother of the abducted school girls in Dapchi? Or those from Chibok; majority of whom are still in captivity today? Or the parents of the boys who were slaughtered in their sleep, in the secondary school in Bunin Yadi? That, while the State that couldn’t bring the killers of their wards and captors of their daughters to book, those arrested by the State are being compensated with salaries and foreign education. Yet, a senator sponsored this bill. Make we de Fear God ohh! IF WE ARE REHABILITATING, EDUCATING AND REINTEGRATING THE TERRORISTS, WHAT HAPPENS TO THE VICTIMS WHO ARE INCREASING IN THEIR NUMBERS BY THE DAY? HAVE THEY BEEN REHABILITATED? ABI DEM NO NEED REHABILITATION?
“HOW DO WE DANCE ON THE GRAVES OF OUR SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE DIED CARELESSLY IN THE FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM, WITH SUCH AN IDEA, AND HOPE TO PROSPER AS A NATION OR FIND PEACE WITH OUR CONSCIENCE AND MAKER? WITH SUCH IDEAS, WITHOUT KNOWING IT, WE ARE GRADUALLY BUILDING AN ARMY OF DISSIDENTS WHO WILL BE EMBOLDENED TO TAKE UP ARMS AGAINST THE STATE IN NO DISTANT TIME. I would therefore advocate that, if our lawmakers don’t want Nigerians to see them as strangers of Assembly of Non-nationals, they should not only jettison this ostentatious lifestyle that further fleeces the country, but strive to make laws that would promote unity, equity, welfare, peace and rehabilitation of all Nigerians, irrespective of tribe and all, because we all need rehabilitation. THE AVERAGE NIGERIAN SHOULD ALSO BE AWARE THAT THE COUNTRY BELONGS TO ALL OF US, AND THE TIME TO BE COLLECTIVE AND GENUINELY INTERESTED IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE EXECUTIVE, LEGISLATIVE AND THE JUDICIARY, IS NOW. AS A LITTLE FIRE YOU LEAVE TODAY, CAN LEAVE YOU WITHOUT A LITTLE IN THE NEAR FUTURE. A WORD SAID IN HALF GOES INTO THE WISE AND BECOMES A WHOLE. Me I don talk my own!”
For Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, a former Governor of Yobe State now a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to have proposed such a bill to compensate criminality in Nigeria, should be of great worry to us all. How can a Senator in this 21st century, who was a former Governor as well, be proposing a law that would only promote criminality? It means he was never fit to have been elected as a Governor in the first place, not to mention being a lawmaker. So, do they not have well-thinking persons in Yobe State that will represent his constituency in the Senate? How did this kind of person get elected as a Governor of a State? Is Nigeria not ashamed to have these kinds of politicians as Governors and Senators in this modern age of advancement and development? This is really quite unfortunate!
It is really bad that the present administration has not been able to build ‘PUBLIC TRUST and CONFIDENCE amongst the majority of Nigerians with its past and present actions/dispositions in tackling the insecurity problem in the country, especially the ones caused by Fulani Herdsmen and the Boko Haram insurgents. It is also appalling to note that, despite all the funds the Nigerian claim to be allocated yearly towards security assurance in the country, including the unaccounted Security Votes enjoyed by State Governments; the insecurity situation in the country has gone from bad to worse, especially under the present administration. And even the welfare and security gadgets/apparatus that ought to be made available and used by Security Operatives, are nothing to write home about. Making it look like the Politicians, are deliberating starving the country’s Security outfits/Forces of required funds for their well-equipping and well-staffing, to function as they ought to; for selfish reasons best known to only them.
It is only righteousness (right and honest living and accountability), especially on the part of the leaders, that will exalt a nation. Any PUBLIC TRUST that is founded and operated on lies, deception and selfishness, will never yield desired results for all, and will be on its way to destruction if care is not taken, which will in-turn affect those whose evil hands have abused the said public trust in the first place.
Zik Gbemre.
March 19, 2021
We Mobilize Others To Fight For Individual Causes As If Those Were Our Causes