01082020 - You're cruel insentitive for care of repentant terrorists, abandoning us
Vanguard Newspaper 01 August 2020
Vanguard Newspaper 01 August 2020
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
Mamman Daura is<br />
powerful. His uncle<br />
is the president. So<br />
when he talks we m<strong>us</strong>t listen.<br />
And we m<strong>us</strong>t listen beca<strong>us</strong>e<br />
the wife <strong>of</strong> the president once<br />
told <strong>us</strong>, in many words and<br />
rumpled face, that Mamman<br />
Daura had an enviable<br />
influence on the president.<br />
That was why when Mamman<br />
came out from back stage to say<br />
that we should discard power<br />
rotation and chose the next<br />
president on merit many were<br />
agitated.<br />
If Mamman Daura were<br />
another Buba Galadimma or<br />
one other old man from the<br />
Northern Elders Forum, his<br />
m<strong>us</strong>ings would have ca<strong>us</strong>ed no<br />
consternation. But was<br />
Mamman speaking <strong>for</strong> his<br />
taciturn nephew? Only time<br />
will tell. But be<strong>for</strong>e it does , it’s<br />
important to remind<br />
Mamman that the only<br />
reason power rotation was<br />
adopted was to guarantee the<br />
participation <strong>of</strong> all sections <strong>of</strong><br />
the country at the highest<br />
level <strong>of</strong> government. Be<strong>for</strong>e<br />
power rotation became a<br />
convention, only northern<br />
M<strong>us</strong>lims and a strange man<br />
like Abiola could look at the<br />
demographics and feel<br />
confident <strong>of</strong> winning the<br />
presidency.<br />
Mamman Daura wants<br />
power rotation jettisoned<br />
beca<strong>us</strong>e it denies the nation<br />
competence where it matters<br />
most. He actually said that<br />
power rotation had failed. So<br />
left to Mamman the nation<br />
should be run like the Super<br />
eagles where only the best<br />
plays even if they are all from<br />
one womb. The only difference<br />
is that these other political<br />
bests will be selected, not by a<br />
sound technical adviser, but<br />
by millions <strong>of</strong> hungry and<br />
poorly educated folks.<br />
Mamman Daura’s idea,<br />
Mamman Daura’s Monkey-post<br />
Meritocracy<br />
despite the shortcomings <strong>of</strong> a<br />
democratic leadership<br />
selection process<br />
mediated by millions<br />
<strong>of</strong> hungry illiterate<br />
folks, thuggery and<br />
corruption, is not bad.<br />
Mamman m<strong>us</strong>t be<br />
fr<strong>us</strong>trated too. This<br />
country has had more<br />
<strong>of</strong> its fair share <strong>of</strong> bad<br />
leaders. And if the<br />
country prioritized<br />
merit, and condemned<br />
mediocrity into the<br />
d<strong>us</strong>tbin , it could<br />
redeem itself.<br />
The only problem,<br />
however, is that<br />
Mamman is calling <strong>us</strong><br />
out to play monkey<br />
post. In football<br />
monkey post is played<br />
on a tiny fraction <strong>of</strong> the<br />
pitch and with a goal<br />
post j<strong>us</strong>t about 3 feet<br />
wide. Monkey-post is<br />
played when either<br />
space or numbers<br />
needed to play the full pitch is<br />
lacking. Why is uncle<br />
Mamman canvassing <strong>for</strong> a<br />
monkey-post game?<br />
Lets play the game, play full<br />
pitch.<br />
Nigeria is a country where<br />
Quota system and Federal<br />
character have had their knees<br />
on the neck<br />
<strong>of</strong> merit <strong>for</strong><br />
decades.<br />
The federal<br />
government<br />
w o u l d<br />
conduct<br />
examinations<br />
f o r<br />
In 2023, power<br />
has to shift South.<br />
And when it comes<br />
south, it has to go<br />
to the part <strong>of</strong> the<br />
south yet to be<br />
accommodated in<br />
the rotation<br />
equation that<br />
began in 1999<br />
admissions<br />
into its<br />
colleges,<br />
and deny a<br />
child from<br />
D e l t a<br />
admission<br />
w h i l e<br />
admitting<br />
children<br />
from some<br />
states who<br />
have scored<br />
less than<br />
one third<br />
the score <strong>of</strong><br />
the denied<br />
Delta child.<br />
The discrimination against<br />
merit happens everywhere. In<br />
the military, the spaces <strong>for</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong>ficer training are allocated<br />
by state quota, and not by<br />
scores. Those who scored poorly<br />
are chosen and those who<br />
SATURDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 1, 2020—21<br />
scored highly are left out. Even<br />
at the level <strong>of</strong> becoming army<br />
generals, state <strong>of</strong> origin affects<br />
promotions.<br />
I agree with Uncle Mamman,<br />
I see where he is coming from.<br />
He now wants competence and<br />
merit.<br />
But we m<strong>us</strong>t not do things<br />
‘half-half’ and half-heartedly<br />
. We m<strong>us</strong>t dislodge mediocrity<br />
and sectional sentiments<br />
through and through. So we<br />
m<strong>us</strong>t uproot Quota System ad<br />
Federal Character first, and<br />
immediately. Yes Mamman<br />
actually wants <strong>us</strong> to run this<br />
country like it were the Super<br />
Eagles. So that we can play our<br />
best players even if they are<br />
from one family and let only<br />
the certified best run the Army<br />
and the C<strong>us</strong>toms.<br />
I agree with him. Once we are<br />
on that path <strong>of</strong> j<strong>us</strong>tice and<br />
merit then Zamfara can keep<br />
its Diamond and Bayelsa its oil.<br />
Then the Federal Institutions<br />
can close there eyes and chose<br />
students with best scores and<br />
fill up all the spaces even if they<br />
are from one village. If we start<br />
being One Nigeria today,<br />
nobody would bother when we<br />
choose to be no-more-zoning<br />
One Nigeria in 2023.<br />
It’s true Uncle Mamman, we<br />
have to let meritocracy<br />
breathe. But it cannot breathe<br />
in that tiny 2023 monkey post<br />
you are pitching. Let the game<br />
begin today and let it begin by<br />
a thoroughgoing constitutional<br />
amendment. For how long will<br />
Quota System, Federal<br />
Character and Zoning last?<br />
We can do something to<br />
c<strong>us</strong>hion the shock. Since many<br />
are afraid <strong>of</strong> domination, let’s<br />
‘kukuma’ devolve power to the<br />
regions. In the regions,<br />
surrounded by kinsmen and<br />
political kindred spirits , folks<br />
would have no trouble<br />
accepting the rule <strong>of</strong> merit.<br />
And those who fear they might<br />
never occupy the seat <strong>of</strong><br />
president will have too much<br />
power at home to bother with<br />
the effigy, the plumed<br />
presidency, at the centre.<br />
But Uncle Mamman, until<br />
we begin to dislodge the knee <strong>of</strong><br />
quota system and federal<br />
character from the neck <strong>of</strong><br />
meritocracy, any talk about<br />
stopping power rotation will be<br />
deceitful. My people have a<br />
funny way <strong>of</strong> telling a man not<br />
to mess with their heads. They<br />
simply remind the man that<br />
human beings are not cows :<br />
mmadu aburo efi.<br />
In 2023, power has to shift<br />
South. And when it comes<br />
south, it has to go to the part <strong>of</strong><br />
the south yet to be<br />
accommodated in the rotation<br />
equation that began in 1999.<br />
But if scales have fallen <strong>of</strong>f the<br />
eyes <strong>of</strong> Nigeria, and we are now<br />
earnestly desiro<strong>us</strong> <strong>of</strong> becoming<br />
One nation, then let’s begin in<br />
2020, by discarding quota<br />
system and federal character,<br />
devolving power to the regions<br />
and allowing resource control.<br />
That’s how to play full pitch<br />
Meritocracy.<br />
Otherwise , in 2023, power<br />
has to go south, beca<strong>us</strong>e<br />
mmadu aburo efi !<br />
Hajiya Farouq factor as N-<br />
power empowers Nigerians<br />
By Nneka Ikem<br />
Over the years, many<br />
Nigerians have been left<br />
unemployed as they<br />
continue to struggle <strong>for</strong> survival .<br />
This is not beca<strong>us</strong>e they are not<br />
mentally fit or physically<br />
qualified to tie down a job and eke<br />
out a living to support themselves<br />
and their loved ones , but beca<strong>us</strong>e<br />
successive governments have in<br />
the past not lived up to their<br />
promises <strong>of</strong> job and wealth<br />
creation.<br />
Apart from the monotono<strong>us</strong><br />
employment routine <strong>of</strong> the vario<strong>us</strong><br />
ministries and parastatals which<br />
has turned out to be inadequate<br />
in catering <strong>for</strong> the ever increasing<br />
population <strong>of</strong> Nigerians between<br />
the ages <strong>of</strong> 18 and 35, no serio<strong>us</strong><br />
ef<strong>for</strong>ts were made in the past to<br />
open up other veritable means <strong>for</strong><br />
employment opportunities.<br />
These tasks have been left to the<br />
private sector while government<br />
acted as if all was well. No wonder,<br />
many Nigerians gave up to seek<br />
greener pasture in other countries.<br />
While battling with the<br />
attendant brain drain and an<br />
unproductive population, the<br />
creative and manufacturing<br />
ind<strong>us</strong>tries have been the worst hit<br />
•Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq<br />
in the process, turning Nigeria<br />
into a consuming economy.<br />
Due to the lip service paid to<br />
electoral promises by previo<strong>us</strong><br />
administrations, many were not<br />
really convinced about President<br />
Muhammadu Buhari’s promises<br />
<strong>of</strong> addressing the problem <strong>of</strong><br />
unemployment while<br />
campaigning in 2015.<br />
But true to his words,<br />
immediately he was sworn in,<br />
ef<strong>for</strong>ts were made to fulfill his<br />
2015 electoral promise on job<br />
creation <strong>for</strong> Nigerian youths<br />
which overtime gave birth to N-<br />
Power scheme.<br />
Through the N-power<br />
programme, 500,000 jobs have<br />
been created in farming, agroprocessing,<br />
financial literacy,<br />
communication, digital skills<br />
amongst a host <strong>of</strong> others.<br />
No wonder, in the past one year,<br />
the effect on the economy has been<br />
so drastic with the agricultural<br />
sector receiving a major boost and<br />
the capacity <strong>of</strong> the nation to feed<br />
her-self.<br />
According to statistics, rice<br />
importation has dropped by 95%<br />
amongst other agricultural<br />
produce, hence the nation’s ability<br />
to be self-s<strong>us</strong>taining even be<strong>for</strong>e the<br />
Covid-19 global lockdown.<br />
Deep thoughts on how Nigeria<br />
would have been able to cope with<br />
the crippling effects <strong>of</strong> Covid-19, its<br />
attendant economic implications as<br />
well as inflation in prices <strong>of</strong> foodstuff<br />
as a result <strong>of</strong> scarcity reverberate.<br />
Under the watch <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Honourable Minister <strong>of</strong><br />
Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster<br />
Management and Social<br />
Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar<br />
Farouq, government has stepped up<br />
ef<strong>for</strong>t in ensuring that more<br />
Nigerians benefit from this laudable<br />
project.<br />
According to recent statistics<br />
released, about 109,823<br />
beneficiaries <strong>of</strong> the N-Power<br />
programme have now started their<br />
own b<strong>us</strong>inesses which represent<br />
about 22% <strong>of</strong> the 500,000 Nigerians<br />
that have benefited from this<br />
programme since its inception.<br />
It means that government has not<br />
only succeeded in creating jobs <strong>for</strong><br />
its citizens, but has also created<br />
more employers <strong>of</strong> labour.<br />
It is reassuring to know that the<br />
Buhari-led administration through<br />
the ministry, has targeted 100<br />
million Nigerians in the next 10<br />
years through the creation <strong>of</strong><br />
productive opportunities <strong>for</strong><br />
entrepreneurship and employment.<br />
No wonder, tho<strong>us</strong>ands <strong>of</strong><br />
Nigerians on Wednesday July 29,<br />
2020 held a ‘Thank You Rally’<br />
march to the Presidential Villa over<br />
the success <strong>of</strong> the N-Power scheme<br />
and other Social Intervention<br />
Programmes in the country which<br />
were further highlighted during the<br />
covid-19 lockdown.<br />
N- Power beneficiaries drawn<br />
from across the 36 states <strong>of</strong> the<br />
federation and the FCT expressed<br />
their gratitude <strong>for</strong> a job well done in<br />
alleviating poverty, creating<br />
economic opportunities and jobs.<br />
The Minister <strong>of</strong> Humanitarian<br />
Affairs, Disaster Management and<br />
Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya<br />
Farouq was singled out <strong>for</strong> her<br />
numero<strong>us</strong> interventions targeted at<br />
the vulnerable and less privileged<br />
groups in the country which has<br />
gone a long way in giving everybody<br />
a sense <strong>of</strong> belonging after many<br />
years <strong>of</strong> neglect.<br />
Apart from the N-Power scheme,<br />
Farouq has been able to kick start<br />
the National Home Grown School<br />
Feeding Programme (NHGSFP),<br />
National Cash Transfer Programme<br />
(NCTP) and Government Enterprise<br />
and Empowerment Programme<br />
(GEEP).<br />
The National Home Grown<br />
School Feeding Programme has so<br />
far catered <strong>for</strong> over 9 million pupils<br />
in 24 states across Nigeria while also<br />
creating additional 100,000 jobs <strong>for</strong><br />
those in the hospitality b<strong>us</strong>iness.<br />
It is on record that the<br />
implementation <strong>of</strong> the National<br />
Cash Transfer Programme<br />
introduced to c<strong>us</strong>hion the economic<br />
effect <strong>of</strong> the covid-19 lockdown has<br />
also recorded a huge success.<br />
20,000 naira was distributed<br />
across 20 states in the 6 geo<br />
political zones while 297,973<br />
<strong>care</strong>givers have also been trained<br />
by 2,495 Community Facilitators.<br />
The minister has shown a deep<br />
understanding <strong>of</strong> the needs <strong>of</strong> the<br />
people while introducing new<br />
innovations to meet the unique<br />
everyday challenges <strong>of</strong> Nigerians.<br />
She has proven to be a leader with<br />
the interest <strong>of</strong> the people at heart<br />
and a deep sense <strong>of</strong> commitment to<br />
the entrenchment <strong>of</strong> s<strong>us</strong>tainable<br />
growth and development through<br />
laudable programs targeted at the<br />
grassroots and rural communities.<br />
As part <strong>of</strong> plans <strong>for</strong> post covid-19<br />
life, the Ministry <strong>of</strong> Humanitarian<br />
Affairs, Disaster Management and<br />
Social Development recently<br />
announced the commencement <strong>of</strong><br />
enrolment <strong>for</strong> the batch C <strong>of</strong> the N-<br />
Power program. So far, over 3<br />
million applications have been<br />
received.<br />
To further highlight the landmark<br />
achievements <strong>of</strong> the ministry, His<br />
Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari in<br />
his Democracy Day broadcast on<br />
June 12, 2020 took time out to<br />
commend the ministry and its<br />
programmes as he noted that the<br />
Social Investment Programmes <strong>of</strong><br />
the administration have continued<br />
to be a model to other nations.<br />
As part <strong>of</strong> plans <strong>for</strong> life post covid-<br />
19, the Ministry <strong>of</strong> Humanitarian<br />
Affairs, Disaster Management and<br />
Social Development recently<br />
announced the commencement <strong>of</strong><br />
enrollment <strong>for</strong> the batch C <strong>of</strong> the N-<br />
Power program.<br />
So far, over 5 million applications<br />
have been received <strong>for</strong> the next<br />
batch to be evenly distributed<br />
across the 774 local governments<br />
in Nigeria.<br />
Despite the huge achievements<br />
recorded by the Ministry in the last<br />
one year, we m<strong>us</strong>t not be carried<br />
away and <strong>for</strong>get the daunting task<br />
<strong>of</strong> alleviating poverty, stemming<br />
unemployment rate as well as<br />
improving the living standards <strong>of</strong><br />
Nigerians<br />
However, Nigerians should be<br />
rest assured that if this level <strong>of</strong><br />
consistency can be maintained<br />
under the visionary leadership <strong>of</strong><br />
Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq,<br />
there will be light at the end <strong>of</strong> the<br />
tunnel.