By promising substantial attention to Food Security and Agriculture as the second point on his agenda, the president had made many Nigerians who had hitherto been calling for the diversification of the economy to think that a saviour had finally come to heed their demands but two years into his four-year tenure, the president is yet to really show he meant what he said.
The placement of Wealth Creation and Employment in the seven point agenda must indeed have been a ray of hope for the citizens of a country where more than 80% of her population are said to be living on less than a dollar a day, a pointer to chronic poverty. A nation where the population of unemployed people far exceeds the whole population of some other countries would no doubt consider such a policy good news that calls for celebration, if only the people can even afford that under circumstances where people are not sure of where their next meal would come from. In his words, President Yar’Adua said that the reform is “focused on wealth creation through diversified production especially in the agricultural and solid mineral sector” but how much of that has been implemented is a question that begs answers.
Other points such as mass transportation and land reform must have been added to fill up the papers in the reckoning of many for the administration has neither evolved a blueprint on them or even casually stated how such reforms were expected to be implemented. A synonymous phenomenon with the usual common-place promises of the provision of water, road and power bellowed by votes-seeking politicians.
Another sore point in the nation that made it to the president’s seven point agenda. However, aside the Niger-Delta problem which has lingered for long, other security ills simply gained more momentum in the last two years. A rise in the spate of kidnappings nationwide, bank robberies, sectarian violence, religious crises and planned murders among others simply showed nothing was being done about the security state of the nation. To make the matter painfully ridiculous, the recent comments of the Inspector General of Police about his non-awareness of the visit of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the former EFCC boss to the country to condole with the family of late frontline lawyer and human rights activist, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, really says much about the degeneration of intelligence gathering and alertness in the police force. An enemy capable of inflicting a collateral damage on the country could have slipped in, perpetrated evil and slip away again without our security agencies even catching just a glance of him. It was such level of incompetence that allowed the recent Jos crisis and the more recent Boko Haram crisis to be planned and executed without the police and other security outfits nipping it in the bud. It’s sad to say but true, that life in the nation is now struggling for value with such commodities like cotton buds and matches.
Perhaps more critical at the moment will be the last point on the agenda, Qualitative and Functional Education. You are probably giggling by now because thousands of university students will be celebrating the independence at home not because of the public holiday but because for more than three months now, there schools have been under locks due to the industrial actions of the three major unions in the universities. Likewise, several primary and secondary school students have not been able to resume after the summer holidays because their teachers have downed their ‘chalks and dusters’ over the non-implementation of a new salary scale for the teachers in nineteen states of the Federation which has been approved almost nineteen years ago, in 1991 to be precise. Perhaps, it would be good to have a peep into the President’s intents on education as at the time of his inauguration even if we cannot categorically state his current plans for the sector expected to produce Nigeria’s future leaders!
In his seven point seven agenda, the President stated on education that “The two-fold reforms in the educational sector will ensure firstly the minimum acceptable international standards of education for all. With that achieved, a strategic education development plan will ensure excellence in both the tutoring and skills in science and technology by students who will be seen as the future investors and industrialists of Nigeria. This reform will be achieved through massive injection into the education sector.”
Two years since the agenda was read out to the hearing of jubilant optimistic Nigerians, no one can clearly state what steps have been taken to attain the promised minimum international standards of education for all not to dream of the strategic development plan expected to follow. It’s also worthy of mention that it’s the debate over increased funding for the education sector that forced the university unions to all embark on indefinite strikes. Perhaps, it won’t be false to state what to expect are not future investors, industrialists and leaders from the Nigerian education sector as the reform promised but future followers! The children of the current leaders will most likely one day return from developed nations where they have been better trained and come to take over from wherever their fathers left off, except something critical is done. It could even be argued that the placing of education as the last on the agenda is not a mere coincidence, it’s probably the last thing the president will worry about or include in his travelling-stuffed schedule!
Since the seven point agenda does not seem to presently hold much hope for the people, it would suffice to look at other promises this administration has made. Though they do not feature in the major policy framework, the seven point agenda but they have been major features in the president’s speeches during the last two independent celebrations and at other for a where he has had the opportunity to talk about the progress of his administration. Such promises include electoral reforms, constitutional amendment, anti-corruption battle, enforcement of human rights and the popular rule of law upon which he claims his administration is founded upon.
For one, the corruption battle does seem like a mere play around the park as several of the president’s former governor colleagues who were once indicted for corruption by the EFCC today roam the streets, nay, stride in exquisite palaces and occupy the hallowed chambers of our legislative houses after failed attempts to bring them to justice. The trial of people like James Onanefe Ibori, former Delta state governor, have been stalled due to alleged frustrations from higher places, one of them being the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation with the occupant, Michael Aondoakaa, an alleged Ibori faithful. Several mind-boggling revelations of malfeasance such as the Halliburton scandal, the Bode George/NPA scandal, the Siemens bribe scandal among others have also graced the pages of papers only to be swept under the carpet after undue setting up of panels that have turned up reports without the federal government doing anything to ensure the suspects were properly tried. All those cases since to have been gone with the wind and would only probably get a mention in the papers when another of such revelations surfaces.
On electoral reforms, the president had given the people hope when after his inauguration, he had admitted the process that brought him to power was faulty and had promised to carry out a reform but since then nothing has been done. The amendment of the 2007 Electoral Code that was much talked about at the time has now been pushed aside and nothing else is being said on how the nation hopes to have credible elections in 2011. Likewise, plans for constitutional amendment have dragged on without any hope of the definite time serious deliberations will begin. Squabbles over committees on the matter have since thrown a spanner in the wheels of the process in the National Assembly. On the enforcement of human rights, it will be good to mention the non-passage of the Freedom of Information Bill which could have boosted freedom of information and to a larger extent promote the fundamental human rights of Nigerians through the promotion of transparency in governance as a result of free access to government information. Several attempts to re-introduce the bill at the National Assembly have suffered serious frustrations by the opposes of the bill who hide under the lame excuse of protection of vital information for security purposes. Yet, the president has said and done nothing in influencing the matter in the favour of the vast majority of the masses who are clamouring for the passage of the bill and whom he claims to want to guarantee access to fundamental human rights. The open assault on civilians by the powerful have also gone unchecked right under the nose of the president, the latest being the case of House of Reps member, Hon.(?) Chinyere Igwe slapping a security officer at the National Assembly for daring to ask him to identify himself since his dressing passed more for a street tout than a legislator. More interesting is his case because he is actually the chairman of the House of Reps committee on Human Rights, painfully laughable really. Yet, the presidency by their action and inaction ensured the man has not been made to pay for his sins, least of all tender a public apology as the leaders of other nations would have demanded of him. Thus, has the rule of law not been reduced to a mere mantra without intent in its every pronunciation?
It is such disturbing facts as these that makes one ask questions about the nation’s independence worth truly worth celebrating when daily life for the common man has become a battle for survival. In Prof. Wole Soyinka’s speech, ‘The Precursors of Boko Haram’ recently delivered at the centenary celebrations of Kings College in Lagos, he succinctly describes the common man’s battles thus: “The Nigerian is a conscript, forced to fight not just one, but several wars. The citizen is conscripted to fight the war of darkness, the deprivation of elementary electric power that is crucial to development and basic existence in a modern society. He or she is conscripted to fight the wars of disease, while the new imperators jet off to Europe and Saudi Arabia for their own treatment. He is conscripted to fight the wars of exposure for lack of affordable shelter, to battle ignorance for lack of functional educational facilities that have been run aground, deliberately by one neo-colonial fascist after another, be he in uniform or mufti.”
It is thus clear that though while the white colonialists granted the nation independence 49 years ago, the Nigerian is back under colonialism, this time under black imperialists who he labours under. He laces their pockets with tax and gets nothing in return but bruises to his physical and mental self. He has no reason to celebrate independence, at least not yet! He must rather join the necessitous battle to free himself and the millions of other Nigerians living under harsh conditions similar to his. In the words of Prof. Soyinka, “The report is out, the demands of the electorate are clear. We know where the battlefront is - the seat of governance…My conviction - once again - is that a people’s gathering is long overdue. It should take place in that right on that battlefront, that space where anti-people conspiracies are hatched and executed.”
Finally, it’s clear there is a need not to celebrate but to act and the best time to act is now! Let me leave you with the words of the erudite Professor Wole Soyinka himself, “It’s time to send in the conscripts- you and I.”
This piece was originally written before independence.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Nigerians and Independence
NIGERIANS AND INDEPENDENCE
Come the morning of October first, Nigerians will be entertained to another national broadcast by the nation’s number one citizen to commemorate the independence of the nation forty-nine years ago, as is the tradition. Many grounds and stadia are also expected to come alive with parades before the chief executives of the nation’s thirty-six states who will afterwards read out lofty prepared speeches. How much of importance attached to the president’s speech and the speeches of their state governors is a question that is most likely to depend on several factors among which are individual perceptions and political distributions. Nigeria as a nation will be celebrating her independence from Britain but whether Nigerians will be celebrating or will sense a need for celebrations is left to be seen.
The nation may be celebrating her freedom from colonialism but it’s incontestable that several Nigerians do not have an idea of when they will be able to celebrate their liberation from the many ills that have manacled many. Through the breadth and length of the nation, there are obvious traits of corruption, widespread poverty, comatose health facilities, daily rising cost of goods that daily inflicts hardship on the people, bad roads, absence of potable water, lack of power supply, falling education standards among many other heart-breaking situations. One therefore cannot but wonder if the people can still find a reason to celebrate in the midst of all these. Perhaps, as usual, they will find a reason to appreciate God for still being alive. However to say that the woes of the nation have only arrived since the last hope-inspiring independence speech would mean staying very far from the truth.
Nigeria as a nation has experienced both good times and bad times but in the reckoning of many, she has tasted more of the latter than the former. One of the happiest moments the nation has known and perhaps the most important has to be the moment Nigeria after a long period of agitation, was declared an independent nation by an act of the British parliament. For the first time, the nation had an indigenous Governor-General in the person of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe who was later to transform into the President of the Federal Republic when Nigeria became a republic in 1963. However, the good times were not to last for long as allegations of corruption and political crises soon rocked the nation, among them being the Western region riots that cost over 2,000 lives and property worth millions of Naira, as well as the alleged treason case that earned the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Anthony Enahoro ten years imprisonment each. The political instability prevented the people from reaping the dividends of democracy and soon provided an opportunity for aggrieved members of the military led by Major-General Chukwuma K. Nzeogwu to stage what they would describe as a revolution to rid the nation of corrupt and incorrigible politicians and have them replaced with true nationals. That purge led to the elimination of the then Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa; Chief Festus Okotie-Eboh, Federal Minister of Finance and Chief Ladoke Akintola, Premier, Western Nigeria. The leader of the coup, Major Nzeogwu later surrendered power to General J.T.U Aguiyi Ironsi at a short ceremony on 20th January, 1966. The refusal of Gen. Ironsi to punish those who took part in the war, most of them being from the Eastern region like himself, angered the northern soldiers and Gen. Ironsi’s subsequent inability to properly manage the brewing crisis resulted in a counter-coup that claimed his life and several other top army officers of Eastern extraction. That marked the beginning of transitions from one military administration to another and with that came unprecedented levels of corruption, mismanagement of funds, questionable economic policies and the sinking of the nation into huge debts. Also worthy of mention is the civil war that cost the nation well over two million lives.
Hope returned to the nation in 1979 when the then Head of State, Lt-General Olusegun Obasanjo handed over to a democratically elected President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari but that was not to end the nation’s woes. The corrupt incompetence of the Shagari administration soon gave the military another opportunity to intervene and Major-General Muhammadu Buhari came in in 1983 after which the nation experienced a few good times again but recorded an alarming rise in cases of human rights abuse before Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Babangida overthrew the government in a peaceful coup. Under Babangida’s administration, the nation witnessed the introduction of some laudable policies and economic reform but corruption and embezzlement of public funds were also at a high. Babangida also announced plans for a transition to civil rule but when things had reached climax, he annulled the results of the presidential election which was adjudged the fairest in Nigeria’s history. That led to nationwide riots which cost many lives. In the midst of the chaos, Defence minister, General Sanni Abacha stepped up to take over and forced Chief Ernest Shonekan, the head of installed interim national government, to resign. Despite Abacha’s promises to return the nation to civil rule, nothing of such was to happen until General Abdusalam Abubakar who took over after Abacha’s sudden death, made it a reality when he handed over to Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, a civilian president on May 29, 1999. However, between then and now, there has been a record peaceful transition from one civil administration to another but hardly can the nation be said to have fared better. There have been many glowing speeches that raised the hopes of the masses but frequently as well have their hopes been dashed. The people have continued to wallow in abject poverty while mind-boggling sums of money are daily reported to have been released for several unimplemented projects or projects that have no positive effects whatsoever on the teeming population.
Many have called press conferences, identified the ills of the past and called for probes, many have yelled, many have marched and many more have cried but sincerely, none of that has in any way provided the common man with potable water or bread nor has it added a layer of lasting asphalt on the gaping potholes that have reduced many roads to death-traps. Thus, it may be preferable to focus on the current administration and what promises it holds for Nigeria, if any.
True to the Nigerian spirit of doggedness and ‘never say die,’ it is not strange that a lot of Nigerians still hold the belief that things can turn around for the better under the current administration notwithstanding its much criticized slow pace so far. The hopes of the people cannot be said to be misplaced for the President, Umar Yar’Adua during his inauguration on May 29, 2007 read out to the people his lofty plans to resuscitate the dying fortunes of the nation using his seven-point agenda. Many of the people may not be able to say off-hand the constituents of the seven-point agenda but anywhere it’s mentioned, it reminds the people of hope. In his inaugural speech, the president adumbrated his seven point agenda as consisting of the following:
Seven Point Agenda
1. Power and energy
2. Food security and agriculture
3. Wealth Creation and Employment
4. Mass Transportation
5. Land Reform
6. Security
7. Qualitative and functional Education
No doubt, the list above is capable of instilling hope in any Nigerian no matter how seemingly unpatriotic. Almost everyone associated to politics soon took to the press to identify with the laudable policy framework but how much of that enthusiasm has transferred to the lives of the people is left to be seen. A quick overview of the promises that each of those poignant points held perhaps may help one understand the frustrations of many who feel let down by the seeming non-implementation of those policies.
Starting with the first point on power and energy, it’s an undeniable fact that one phenomenon that has for decades been a source of justifiable worry for many Nigerians who are daily bogged by tales of uninterrupted power supply in less endowed nations. The power situation in the nation has killed off several small businesses, depriving their operators a means of livelihood as a result just as many suffered job losses as several established businesses folded up as result of their inability to keep up with the cost of running their businesses. Industries such as the textile industry collapsed as a result sending several Nigerians into the labour market. Thus when the president promised a declaration of a state of emergency in the sector, he no doubt raised many hopes. Perhaps, the only strand of hope left the people can cling to is the paltry 6000MW promised to be available by December, of course provided it’s not overtaken by events like every other planned government project as the Niger Delta and gas are already beginning to be cited as possible causes of delay.
.To be continued.
Come the morning of October first, Nigerians will be entertained to another national broadcast by the nation’s number one citizen to commemorate the independence of the nation forty-nine years ago, as is the tradition. Many grounds and stadia are also expected to come alive with parades before the chief executives of the nation’s thirty-six states who will afterwards read out lofty prepared speeches. How much of importance attached to the president’s speech and the speeches of their state governors is a question that is most likely to depend on several factors among which are individual perceptions and political distributions. Nigeria as a nation will be celebrating her independence from Britain but whether Nigerians will be celebrating or will sense a need for celebrations is left to be seen.
The nation may be celebrating her freedom from colonialism but it’s incontestable that several Nigerians do not have an idea of when they will be able to celebrate their liberation from the many ills that have manacled many. Through the breadth and length of the nation, there are obvious traits of corruption, widespread poverty, comatose health facilities, daily rising cost of goods that daily inflicts hardship on the people, bad roads, absence of potable water, lack of power supply, falling education standards among many other heart-breaking situations. One therefore cannot but wonder if the people can still find a reason to celebrate in the midst of all these. Perhaps, as usual, they will find a reason to appreciate God for still being alive. However to say that the woes of the nation have only arrived since the last hope-inspiring independence speech would mean staying very far from the truth.
Nigeria as a nation has experienced both good times and bad times but in the reckoning of many, she has tasted more of the latter than the former. One of the happiest moments the nation has known and perhaps the most important has to be the moment Nigeria after a long period of agitation, was declared an independent nation by an act of the British parliament. For the first time, the nation had an indigenous Governor-General in the person of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe who was later to transform into the President of the Federal Republic when Nigeria became a republic in 1963. However, the good times were not to last for long as allegations of corruption and political crises soon rocked the nation, among them being the Western region riots that cost over 2,000 lives and property worth millions of Naira, as well as the alleged treason case that earned the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Anthony Enahoro ten years imprisonment each. The political instability prevented the people from reaping the dividends of democracy and soon provided an opportunity for aggrieved members of the military led by Major-General Chukwuma K. Nzeogwu to stage what they would describe as a revolution to rid the nation of corrupt and incorrigible politicians and have them replaced with true nationals. That purge led to the elimination of the then Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa; Chief Festus Okotie-Eboh, Federal Minister of Finance and Chief Ladoke Akintola, Premier, Western Nigeria. The leader of the coup, Major Nzeogwu later surrendered power to General J.T.U Aguiyi Ironsi at a short ceremony on 20th January, 1966. The refusal of Gen. Ironsi to punish those who took part in the war, most of them being from the Eastern region like himself, angered the northern soldiers and Gen. Ironsi’s subsequent inability to properly manage the brewing crisis resulted in a counter-coup that claimed his life and several other top army officers of Eastern extraction. That marked the beginning of transitions from one military administration to another and with that came unprecedented levels of corruption, mismanagement of funds, questionable economic policies and the sinking of the nation into huge debts. Also worthy of mention is the civil war that cost the nation well over two million lives.
Hope returned to the nation in 1979 when the then Head of State, Lt-General Olusegun Obasanjo handed over to a democratically elected President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari but that was not to end the nation’s woes. The corrupt incompetence of the Shagari administration soon gave the military another opportunity to intervene and Major-General Muhammadu Buhari came in in 1983 after which the nation experienced a few good times again but recorded an alarming rise in cases of human rights abuse before Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Babangida overthrew the government in a peaceful coup. Under Babangida’s administration, the nation witnessed the introduction of some laudable policies and economic reform but corruption and embezzlement of public funds were also at a high. Babangida also announced plans for a transition to civil rule but when things had reached climax, he annulled the results of the presidential election which was adjudged the fairest in Nigeria’s history. That led to nationwide riots which cost many lives. In the midst of the chaos, Defence minister, General Sanni Abacha stepped up to take over and forced Chief Ernest Shonekan, the head of installed interim national government, to resign. Despite Abacha’s promises to return the nation to civil rule, nothing of such was to happen until General Abdusalam Abubakar who took over after Abacha’s sudden death, made it a reality when he handed over to Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, a civilian president on May 29, 1999. However, between then and now, there has been a record peaceful transition from one civil administration to another but hardly can the nation be said to have fared better. There have been many glowing speeches that raised the hopes of the masses but frequently as well have their hopes been dashed. The people have continued to wallow in abject poverty while mind-boggling sums of money are daily reported to have been released for several unimplemented projects or projects that have no positive effects whatsoever on the teeming population.
Many have called press conferences, identified the ills of the past and called for probes, many have yelled, many have marched and many more have cried but sincerely, none of that has in any way provided the common man with potable water or bread nor has it added a layer of lasting asphalt on the gaping potholes that have reduced many roads to death-traps. Thus, it may be preferable to focus on the current administration and what promises it holds for Nigeria, if any.
True to the Nigerian spirit of doggedness and ‘never say die,’ it is not strange that a lot of Nigerians still hold the belief that things can turn around for the better under the current administration notwithstanding its much criticized slow pace so far. The hopes of the people cannot be said to be misplaced for the President, Umar Yar’Adua during his inauguration on May 29, 2007 read out to the people his lofty plans to resuscitate the dying fortunes of the nation using his seven-point agenda. Many of the people may not be able to say off-hand the constituents of the seven-point agenda but anywhere it’s mentioned, it reminds the people of hope. In his inaugural speech, the president adumbrated his seven point agenda as consisting of the following:
Seven Point Agenda
1. Power and energy
2. Food security and agriculture
3. Wealth Creation and Employment
4. Mass Transportation
5. Land Reform
6. Security
7. Qualitative and functional Education
No doubt, the list above is capable of instilling hope in any Nigerian no matter how seemingly unpatriotic. Almost everyone associated to politics soon took to the press to identify with the laudable policy framework but how much of that enthusiasm has transferred to the lives of the people is left to be seen. A quick overview of the promises that each of those poignant points held perhaps may help one understand the frustrations of many who feel let down by the seeming non-implementation of those policies.
Starting with the first point on power and energy, it’s an undeniable fact that one phenomenon that has for decades been a source of justifiable worry for many Nigerians who are daily bogged by tales of uninterrupted power supply in less endowed nations. The power situation in the nation has killed off several small businesses, depriving their operators a means of livelihood as a result just as many suffered job losses as several established businesses folded up as result of their inability to keep up with the cost of running their businesses. Industries such as the textile industry collapsed as a result sending several Nigerians into the labour market. Thus when the president promised a declaration of a state of emergency in the sector, he no doubt raised many hopes. Perhaps, the only strand of hope left the people can cling to is the paltry 6000MW promised to be available by December, of course provided it’s not overtaken by events like every other planned government project as the Niger Delta and gas are already beginning to be cited as possible causes of delay.
.To be continued.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Even The Wind Dies.
The trade winds to me
Never mattered much
For whether they blew west
Or they went east
I took no cognisance
For what mattered more
Was the famous fiery wind
That fanned my nation
Whose course I daily observed
Blowing in many directions
Conveying varying expressions.
To the oppressed and suppressed
It conveyed succour
But to their oppressors
In their faces blew guilt
And memos of their many
and destructive imperfections
Its soap spoke for the voiceless
But silenced loud-mouthed traitors
Its fury blew the lids off
Many a can of worms
To expose the rotten deeds
Of many supposed statesmen
His
Was a wind of opposition
That blew against military incursion
Agitating for the liberation of the nation
Not fearing incarceration
His fury made of think
He would blow forever
But now I know
That even winds don't blow forever
For after seventy-one flights
This wind obeyed nature's call
To the grief and shock of all
But forever
Will we keep its memories
The cherished memories
Of a legal luminary
Chief Gani Fawehinmi(SAN)
The fiery wind of opposition
That gave the hopeless hope.
Never mattered much
For whether they blew west
Or they went east
I took no cognisance
For what mattered more
Was the famous fiery wind
That fanned my nation
Whose course I daily observed
Blowing in many directions
Conveying varying expressions.
To the oppressed and suppressed
It conveyed succour
But to their oppressors
In their faces blew guilt
And memos of their many
and destructive imperfections
Its soap spoke for the voiceless
But silenced loud-mouthed traitors
Its fury blew the lids off
Many a can of worms
To expose the rotten deeds
Of many supposed statesmen
His
Was a wind of opposition
That blew against military incursion
Agitating for the liberation of the nation
Not fearing incarceration
His fury made of think
He would blow forever
But now I know
That even winds don't blow forever
For after seventy-one flights
This wind obeyed nature's call
To the grief and shock of all
But forever
Will we keep its memories
The cherished memories
Of a legal luminary
Chief Gani Fawehinmi(SAN)
The fiery wind of opposition
That gave the hopeless hope.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Nigeria aims at world cup ticket.
Nigeria will today attempt to revive her aspirations to reach her fourth soccer world cup as the nation's Super Eagles today take on the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia in a reverse fixture in the world cup/nations cup qualifiers. The general mood in the nation is that the nation must qualify for the world cup and as such a victory is expected of the Super Eagles today.
Friday, August 7, 2009
JUST BEFORE THE TURN 2
JUST BEFORE THE TURN (2)
As earlier stressed, the millions of inhabitants of the African continent thirst for a change. A change in their lives, in environment, in their fortunes, in their economy and above all in their polity. It is an incontrovertible fact that the most effective of changes would be to have committed, dynamic, intelligent and trustworthy leaders take up the saddle in the African nations. This is not to deny the fact that the individual contributions of the righteous professionals about to come forth when summed up will make an appreciable impact but it is also pertinent to note that worthy, righteous and efficient leaders at the helm of affairs will help speed up the expected turnaround.
Now, just before we change gears and round the bend, it will be important to recognise a few problems that have ensured that we remained at the same stage we were after independence if not receding beyond the point they left us. Without identifying these problems, it might be impossible to move safely into our eldorado.
First among these problems is that of the quality of the leadership we have been forced to cope with in Africa. Africa has not been blessed with leaders who have a flawless and impressive understanding of their economies of their countries. Even when they are helped to know the myriad of problems besetting their nations, they have no requisite ability to think of appropriate solutions to the problems. At best, what they know is how to understate the problems or to brazenly deny their existence. But listen to leaders of countries in other climes and naturally you perceive their intelligence, exposure and maturity. Even when our leaders are given good pieces of advice, their ego and inane desire to show the world that they are in charge will not allow them take such advice and use them. They would even rather surround themselves with some ‘blockhead yes-men’ who would comply with their every whims and caprices than have intelligible people around who will constitute challenges to their authority and expose their intellectual poverty.
Another problem we have is that of corruption. Everyone is involved in this but the most culpable are the leaders who daily exploit our suffering economy to enrich themselves and their cronies. I believe Barack Obama’s admonition that no nation will grow if the leaders keep exploiting the economy to enrich themselves, was specifically meant for our leaders.
The third problem is that of wrong appointments. Most times we find strategic and important posts being held by people incapable of handling such posts either by qualification, experience or track records. That’s why you get to hear of laughable appointments like doctors of geography being appointed as ministers of finance; veterinary doctors appointed health ministers; lawyers appointed as power ministers among many other ridiculous examples. It is indubitable of course that such appointments sailed through because the people involved are cronies of those in power and have questionably found their way around parliamentary screening, often ‘taking a bow.’
Yet another major problem we face is the lack-lustre attitude of civil servants coupled with their kleptomaniac predilections. So many of government’s property like furniture, television sets, cutlery among others have found their way to the houses of some civil servants who seem to be relying on government property to equip their houses. Apart from these tangible things, they have also helped government money to be fleeced, colluding with corrupt public officials, of course, after good bargains to secure their share. They do not devote equal passion to their job believing that whether they do well or not, they will get their pay at the end of the month. This attitude must change. We must begin to see government property as our collective property, not meant to be taken away by anyone. We must also be devoted to our jobs for that is the way we can contribute our own quota in ensuring that things change for the better.
It is my belief that the three problems pointed out above have been the causes of the other problems we have in this nation. If we tackle these problems head-on, then we can begin to expect things to change. Tackling the problems would require physical, mental and spiritual efforts on the part of everyone who is desirous of a change for this country. We can tackle the problem of leadership by making sure that the only people who get our mandate are those who have the intellectual abilities to lead us while at the same time resisting anyone who does not have the necessary qualities but is trying to force himself on us. In addition to that, we must specially make efforts at identifying capable people wherever they may be, encourage them to contest and support them massively. The same applies for ministerial appointments and other similar appointments. We need only leaders who are well-trained in whatever field they are coming to lead, have super-thinking faculties that can provide solutions to the myriad of problems on ground and can at the same time respond effectively to any problems that may arise. Such leaders must also be charismatic, convincing in their speech and actions, morally upright, mentally dogged, visionary and above all, tested and trusted in the true sense of the words.
"…He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear God." -2Sam 23:3b
Nationally, we need leaders who have taken time to prepare themselves for the task of leadership and as such reflect intelligence in their speech and analysis. That was a major strength of Barack Obama during his campaign. We want to see presidential candidates who can intelligently explain the current economic situation, analyse and specify the way forward, not people who would promise us light and water. That’s very easy to say, even for a 2 year old kid. If you are promising us power, let us know how you intend to achieve this and within what time period. We need leaders who do not need to read speeches prepared for them before they can respond to urgent national issues. We need leaders who can stand before the people to deliver intelligent and motivational speeches that will fire up the zeal in people as they go about their daily businesses. We need leaders who are sensitive to the needs of the people and will not go around throwing birthday bashes with millions when lecturers have not been paid. We need leaders who will make us proud when being interviewed by both the local and international media not people who would fret before white journalists, break off in sentences as they attempt to perfect their lies and then ultimately refuse to answer the actual questions posed to them. The kind of leaders we need are those would daily be thinking of our to truly diversify and grow the economy and let that reflect in their policies. We need selfless leaders not those who consume half of the budget to pay themselves salaries and allowances. We need people who will tackle issues and not personalities. We need committed leaders who will lead by example. If we get them, then this nation and this continent will progress. It is only when we have found them and ready to do all within our power to get them to power that we can really claim to be ready for a new turn.
"As the partridge sitteth on eggs and hatcheth them not; so he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool." Jer.17:11 (KJV)
As earlier stressed, the millions of inhabitants of the African continent thirst for a change. A change in their lives, in environment, in their fortunes, in their economy and above all in their polity. It is an incontrovertible fact that the most effective of changes would be to have committed, dynamic, intelligent and trustworthy leaders take up the saddle in the African nations. This is not to deny the fact that the individual contributions of the righteous professionals about to come forth when summed up will make an appreciable impact but it is also pertinent to note that worthy, righteous and efficient leaders at the helm of affairs will help speed up the expected turnaround.
Now, just before we change gears and round the bend, it will be important to recognise a few problems that have ensured that we remained at the same stage we were after independence if not receding beyond the point they left us. Without identifying these problems, it might be impossible to move safely into our eldorado.
First among these problems is that of the quality of the leadership we have been forced to cope with in Africa. Africa has not been blessed with leaders who have a flawless and impressive understanding of their economies of their countries. Even when they are helped to know the myriad of problems besetting their nations, they have no requisite ability to think of appropriate solutions to the problems. At best, what they know is how to understate the problems or to brazenly deny their existence. But listen to leaders of countries in other climes and naturally you perceive their intelligence, exposure and maturity. Even when our leaders are given good pieces of advice, their ego and inane desire to show the world that they are in charge will not allow them take such advice and use them. They would even rather surround themselves with some ‘blockhead yes-men’ who would comply with their every whims and caprices than have intelligible people around who will constitute challenges to their authority and expose their intellectual poverty.
Another problem we have is that of corruption. Everyone is involved in this but the most culpable are the leaders who daily exploit our suffering economy to enrich themselves and their cronies. I believe Barack Obama’s admonition that no nation will grow if the leaders keep exploiting the economy to enrich themselves, was specifically meant for our leaders.
The third problem is that of wrong appointments. Most times we find strategic and important posts being held by people incapable of handling such posts either by qualification, experience or track records. That’s why you get to hear of laughable appointments like doctors of geography being appointed as ministers of finance; veterinary doctors appointed health ministers; lawyers appointed as power ministers among many other ridiculous examples. It is indubitable of course that such appointments sailed through because the people involved are cronies of those in power and have questionably found their way around parliamentary screening, often ‘taking a bow.’
Yet another major problem we face is the lack-lustre attitude of civil servants coupled with their kleptomaniac predilections. So many of government’s property like furniture, television sets, cutlery among others have found their way to the houses of some civil servants who seem to be relying on government property to equip their houses. Apart from these tangible things, they have also helped government money to be fleeced, colluding with corrupt public officials, of course, after good bargains to secure their share. They do not devote equal passion to their job believing that whether they do well or not, they will get their pay at the end of the month. This attitude must change. We must begin to see government property as our collective property, not meant to be taken away by anyone. We must also be devoted to our jobs for that is the way we can contribute our own quota in ensuring that things change for the better.
It is my belief that the three problems pointed out above have been the causes of the other problems we have in this nation. If we tackle these problems head-on, then we can begin to expect things to change. Tackling the problems would require physical, mental and spiritual efforts on the part of everyone who is desirous of a change for this country. We can tackle the problem of leadership by making sure that the only people who get our mandate are those who have the intellectual abilities to lead us while at the same time resisting anyone who does not have the necessary qualities but is trying to force himself on us. In addition to that, we must specially make efforts at identifying capable people wherever they may be, encourage them to contest and support them massively. The same applies for ministerial appointments and other similar appointments. We need only leaders who are well-trained in whatever field they are coming to lead, have super-thinking faculties that can provide solutions to the myriad of problems on ground and can at the same time respond effectively to any problems that may arise. Such leaders must also be charismatic, convincing in their speech and actions, morally upright, mentally dogged, visionary and above all, tested and trusted in the true sense of the words.
"…He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear God." -2Sam 23:3b
Nationally, we need leaders who have taken time to prepare themselves for the task of leadership and as such reflect intelligence in their speech and analysis. That was a major strength of Barack Obama during his campaign. We want to see presidential candidates who can intelligently explain the current economic situation, analyse and specify the way forward, not people who would promise us light and water. That’s very easy to say, even for a 2 year old kid. If you are promising us power, let us know how you intend to achieve this and within what time period. We need leaders who do not need to read speeches prepared for them before they can respond to urgent national issues. We need leaders who can stand before the people to deliver intelligent and motivational speeches that will fire up the zeal in people as they go about their daily businesses. We need leaders who are sensitive to the needs of the people and will not go around throwing birthday bashes with millions when lecturers have not been paid. We need leaders who will make us proud when being interviewed by both the local and international media not people who would fret before white journalists, break off in sentences as they attempt to perfect their lies and then ultimately refuse to answer the actual questions posed to them. The kind of leaders we need are those would daily be thinking of our to truly diversify and grow the economy and let that reflect in their policies. We need selfless leaders not those who consume half of the budget to pay themselves salaries and allowances. We need people who will tackle issues and not personalities. We need committed leaders who will lead by example. If we get them, then this nation and this continent will progress. It is only when we have found them and ready to do all within our power to get them to power that we can really claim to be ready for a new turn.
"As the partridge sitteth on eggs and hatcheth them not; so he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool." Jer.17:11 (KJV)
Thursday, July 16, 2009
New Poems
RAINY REVELATIONS
The sun’s gloss
Upon our city
Hides her flaws
Leaving its beauty
Without due company
Before an audience
Observing an entity
Halved by the seasons
In summer
The street glitters
under darting sunrays
Even our sun-baked highways
ignore pity
for the sun’s beauty
But when the rain comes
anxious moms
make mud-splashing runs
to save their young ones
Even drivers learn to sail
as driving skills alone fail.
Cup-shaped drainages
fill to bursts
Talk of sewages
and dream of the worst
Loads of filth turned in
pose and toss
on new rivers running
across streets and closes
So our maps lie
but we know why.
A TRUE REBRAND
Like a tongue
Deprived of the teeth’s company
It lay sprawled
Like it could do no wrong
It wore a smile serene
And a demeanour so sane
That made me doubt
If indeed I had reached it
But I had
And pleasantly invincible
Were its struggling millions
Its surging unapproved kiosks
Its maddening buses
And shifty hands stealing purses
Also happily lost
Was its love for confusion
So like an old man
Tired of his wicked ways
Oshodi watched with disinterest
My daring regal strides
That once drew its ire
Oshodi lay passive
Divorced from its devious spirit
That hitherto fed me fear
Seasoned with courage
and bravery spiced with caution
That old Oshodi
Also taught me to rejoice
every single day I
walked past it
without being pinched
by its ever untraceable claws.
THEIR CRIES, THEIR LIES
When filled with bread
In their homestead
They send us mails
To invoke our wails
Wherein they assume
That our lot is doom
One doom report
Lures financial support
To self-appointed experts
Who dished out false alerts
Collecting aids on our behalf
And magnanimously give us half
Our senses are not too weak
To perceive their trick
But we’ll make things right
Rather than fight
We will search for that will
To correct our many an ill
We have a vision
To back our rebuilding mission
The past may be unpalatable
The present just endurable
But things will get better
In a future not too far
We refuse to be discouraged
By preying nations who have aged
And now spread mails of doom
To nations where they seek room
For their chauvinist ego
That just wont let go.
The sun’s gloss
Upon our city
Hides her flaws
Leaving its beauty
Without due company
Before an audience
Observing an entity
Halved by the seasons
In summer
The street glitters
under darting sunrays
Even our sun-baked highways
ignore pity
for the sun’s beauty
But when the rain comes
anxious moms
make mud-splashing runs
to save their young ones
Even drivers learn to sail
as driving skills alone fail.
Cup-shaped drainages
fill to bursts
Talk of sewages
and dream of the worst
Loads of filth turned in
pose and toss
on new rivers running
across streets and closes
So our maps lie
but we know why.
A TRUE REBRAND
Like a tongue
Deprived of the teeth’s company
It lay sprawled
Like it could do no wrong
It wore a smile serene
And a demeanour so sane
That made me doubt
If indeed I had reached it
But I had
And pleasantly invincible
Were its struggling millions
Its surging unapproved kiosks
Its maddening buses
And shifty hands stealing purses
Also happily lost
Was its love for confusion
So like an old man
Tired of his wicked ways
Oshodi watched with disinterest
My daring regal strides
That once drew its ire
Oshodi lay passive
Divorced from its devious spirit
That hitherto fed me fear
Seasoned with courage
and bravery spiced with caution
That old Oshodi
Also taught me to rejoice
every single day I
walked past it
without being pinched
by its ever untraceable claws.
THEIR CRIES, THEIR LIES
When filled with bread
In their homestead
They send us mails
To invoke our wails
Wherein they assume
That our lot is doom
One doom report
Lures financial support
To self-appointed experts
Who dished out false alerts
Collecting aids on our behalf
And magnanimously give us half
Our senses are not too weak
To perceive their trick
But we’ll make things right
Rather than fight
We will search for that will
To correct our many an ill
We have a vision
To back our rebuilding mission
The past may be unpalatable
The present just endurable
But things will get better
In a future not too far
We refuse to be discouraged
By preying nations who have aged
And now spread mails of doom
To nations where they seek room
For their chauvinist ego
That just wont let go.
JUST BEFORE THE TURN
As Nigerians and Africans, we are currently at a bend in the journey of our nation and by extension our individual lives. The current wave blowing across the length and breadth of the nation and even beyond the shores of this continent bears only one burden, that of change. From motivational writers like Myles Munroe and Fela Durotoye to frontline pastors like Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo and Pastor Chris Okotie without leaving out leaders like Presidents John Atta Mills of Ghana and Barack Obama of the USA, the grand essence of their messages revolve around the imminent change in the fortunes of Nigeria, Africa and indeed the whole world. It has been repeatedly and convincingly reiterated that from Africa will arise men(and women) who will change the fortunes of the world and an acceptable example of that is the recent change in the political calculations of the most powerful country in the world, the United States of America where a charismatic black man of African descent rose from the shackles of relative oblivion and overcame the daunting odds of racial discrimination to rise to the exalted position of the dignified occupant of the hallowed White House, the greatest power house in the world. This might sound inspiring but there is definitely more to come.
The kind of change being anticipated for the Nigerian nation and the African continent is an obviously visible and powerful turnaround in the conduct of things orchestrated by seasoned professionals with righteous and godly minds. What is expected is a new situation where faces will wear smiles and not frowns; mouths will belch after filling meals and not wail of hunger; hands will work happily and not substitute idleness with wrecking havoc; pockets will swell with plenty and not flatten out in lack; industries will daily hire more to boost production and not pack up due to rising costs; facilities will work and hearts will not fail but jump up for joy.
The scenario painted might be fantastic to some but might even be an understatement to some who already got their minds fired up for the expected change. Whichever way, it is undeniably clear that Nigerians nay Africans are tired of living with the many disheartening issues they daily cope with. They are fed up with the potholes-ridden and impassable highways that daily constitute a life-threatening menace. They are equally fed up with the comatose health system where misdiagnosis, lack of equipment, inefficiency, mismanagement among other ills act as bloodthirsty agents daily conspiring to dispatch them to their untimely deaths. They are fed up with unpaid salaries and monetisation fees while their smooth-talking leaders feed fat and stash surfeit amounts in abetting counties. Promises of potable water have caressed their ears ad nauseam and no longer appeal to them. They no longer find sweetness in the company of the constantly absent power supply. They are no more comfortable with crowded classrooms and overflowing sewages. They are tired, fed up and tired of these and many more. However, they are not just tired like docile souls being treated to an ad hominem speech but from within, they earnestly desire something different from what they have always experienced. They want new experiences and also want to tell new stories.
To be continued…
The kind of change being anticipated for the Nigerian nation and the African continent is an obviously visible and powerful turnaround in the conduct of things orchestrated by seasoned professionals with righteous and godly minds. What is expected is a new situation where faces will wear smiles and not frowns; mouths will belch after filling meals and not wail of hunger; hands will work happily and not substitute idleness with wrecking havoc; pockets will swell with plenty and not flatten out in lack; industries will daily hire more to boost production and not pack up due to rising costs; facilities will work and hearts will not fail but jump up for joy.
The scenario painted might be fantastic to some but might even be an understatement to some who already got their minds fired up for the expected change. Whichever way, it is undeniably clear that Nigerians nay Africans are tired of living with the many disheartening issues they daily cope with. They are fed up with the potholes-ridden and impassable highways that daily constitute a life-threatening menace. They are equally fed up with the comatose health system where misdiagnosis, lack of equipment, inefficiency, mismanagement among other ills act as bloodthirsty agents daily conspiring to dispatch them to their untimely deaths. They are fed up with unpaid salaries and monetisation fees while their smooth-talking leaders feed fat and stash surfeit amounts in abetting counties. Promises of potable water have caressed their ears ad nauseam and no longer appeal to them. They no longer find sweetness in the company of the constantly absent power supply. They are no more comfortable with crowded classrooms and overflowing sewages. They are tired, fed up and tired of these and many more. However, they are not just tired like docile souls being treated to an ad hominem speech but from within, they earnestly desire something different from what they have always experienced. They want new experiences and also want to tell new stories.
To be continued…
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Living In Death
In their veins
flowed the patriotic
blood of ancestral spirits
that laced their hearts
with pain
for their nation’s gain.
In harm’s way
they chose to stay
giving expression
to many’s muted speeches
against political oppression
that daily threaten
their nation’s well being.
Soles ached under feet
minds faced the heat
fists waved in agitation
defying frustration
and on history’s page
blood etched their rage.
In jail
thinking brains
graced by batons
chose not to wail
but envision pain’s gains
rejected compromise
and chose sacrifice.
They embraced the earth
with love in their hearts
even for the piercing bullets
gifts from bloody berets.
To MKO and to Bhutto
To Giwa and to Saro Wiwa
To Kudirat and to Luther
Even to others
Accept this a tribute
You live in death
As ever lives the truth
flowed the patriotic
blood of ancestral spirits
that laced their hearts
with pain
for their nation’s gain.
In harm’s way
they chose to stay
giving expression
to many’s muted speeches
against political oppression
that daily threaten
their nation’s well being.
Soles ached under feet
minds faced the heat
fists waved in agitation
defying frustration
and on history’s page
blood etched their rage.
In jail
thinking brains
graced by batons
chose not to wail
but envision pain’s gains
rejected compromise
and chose sacrifice.
They embraced the earth
with love in their hearts
even for the piercing bullets
gifts from bloody berets.
To MKO and to Bhutto
To Giwa and to Saro Wiwa
To Kudirat and to Luther
Even to others
Accept this a tribute
You live in death
As ever lives the truth
Babu's Tale
The sharp rays of the sun afflicted Babu’s opening eyes and forced it into a squint. He rose up groggily not knowing if he would be right to reciprocate the impudent kick that had stopped him from shaking hands with the General Manager of Brace Constructions, the foremost engineering firm in the country. In the few minutes he had slept, fatigue had worked on his mental imagination and he had gone from daydreaming into a full dream. In his dream, he had sent a job application to Brace Constructions and they immediately granted him a job in a higher position than the one he sought due to his impressive CV. He was then hosted to a dinner after which everyone present had struggled with themselves just to have a handshake with him. The General Manager got lucky but just as he was about to do the GM the honour, a terrible kick on his right thigh jolted him.
Babu looked up at the figure who had hit him and for a while thought it would just be right if he gave him a kick in his groin but just as he contemplated on the next line of action, the figure clenched his fist and would have menacingly brought it down on him if he had not hurried to his feet and moved back to dodge the blow.
“You idiot...Na me say make you no get power, your mates dey work, you dey here dey sleep. God punish your yanch,” Rasco, the site coordinator thundered.
Babu did not give a reply to Rasco’s insults but rather supported his neck with his hands and turned it to the left and then to the right. This was to relieve the pain resting his neck on a stone had caused him. He and other labourers had been lifting some heavy bags of cement and when the cement bags had all been lifted, Rasco ordered them to lift more sand buckets. It was at that moment that Babu felt he had to take a short rest and had surreptitiously slid into one of the rooms where he placed a stone at the end of a plank and placed himself on the plank for a short rest with his head resting on the stone.
Rasco quickly noticed that Babu was not part of the returning sand-fetching party and immediately saw an opportunity to get at him for his insolence earlier in the day. Babu was the only educated fellow among the labourers, at least he had started higher education at the state university before dropping out for financial reasons after his father evicted him from his house for an offence he did not commit. His half-education often made him feel he was not inferior to Rasco who was not educated and this made them clash frequently though frequently too, Rasco would threaten him with a sack and Babu, not knowing any other source of livelihood, would subdue himself and shamefully walk away, cursing in his throat. Babu was a brilliant young man in school before he dropped out and always took the slightest opportunity to show his labourer colleagues that he was better than them in some way, by speaking good English and mocking their inability to do the same. He also argued frequently with Rasco about increasing the pay of the labourers, among other things. That morning, Rasco had told the labourers to clear a bush where a wooden kiosk was to be erected but Babu objected and stood up to him to point out that their duty was to lift cement, stones, sand and water and did not include cutting grass. The other labourers agreed with him and Rasco had to get some boys from a nearby school to do the clearing. He was bitter and thought of how best he could get back at Babu without arousing the anger of the other labourers as Babu was beginning to have substantial influence among them. So, when he discovered that Babu had ignored his task, he was more than happy to deal with him.
“You beta go carry the sand now or I go show you say na my papa born me. I no go pay you your money for today and u no go fit do anything,” Rasco threatened as Babu walked away.
Inwardly, Babu cursed Rasco but his reason convinced him that it was best to walk away. He cursed not only Rasco, he also cursed his stars. He wondered why he had to go through so much misfortune. He had lost his mother when he was sixteen. His father had married another wife, Jane who made sure life for Babu was hell and on several occasions, she told grievous lies against him. The last one that forced Babu out of the house really got his father angry. A huge amount of money left by Babu’s father in his wardrobe had miraculously grown wings and when he noticed and began to look for it, his loving wife promptly narrated the story of how he saw Babu coming out of his father’s room with some money and that when she confronted him, he had offered that his father asked him to bring it. Mr Gemba instantly took the story to be the truth and demanded that Babu return the money. Babu vehemently denied the charge but his pleas were not convincing enough and the new phone he just brought back that evening did not help matters. Babu explained that the phone belonged to a course mate in the university but his father was not convinced and despite the numerous appeals of neighbours and summoned family members, he cursed and drove out Babu to the delight of Mrs Gemba. It was three years now but the pain still struck Babu’s heart as though it was fresh especially when he thought of the fact that his efforts to get back into the house had proved futile and no family member had offered to help. They were all interested in remaining in his father’s good books and that way ensuring that the little money they got from him frequently was protected. His attempts to get a job with his school-leaving certificate had also proved abortive while his friends also drove him away when they got tired of feeding him. He had then wandered into a nearby town sleeping in uncompleted buildings. It was Moya who had offered to lodge him that introduced him to Huran, for who Rasco worked.
Just as Babu returned with the second load of sand, he noticed that Rasco was running in and out of the small shed where Huran always stayed whenever he came around to see things for himself. He guessed Huran was around. He also noticed that there was a bit of uneasiness in the way Rasco ran up and down and that he had disposed of the cigarette stick that was, as always, in his mouth some minutes before then. It was then that he observed that there was a black Range-rover parked at the back of the shed beside Huran’s blue Mitsubishi car. It must belong to the owner of the new house they were building, he thought. He had never seen the man and neither Huran nor Rasco had said much about him. He felt like going to steal a look at his face but on second thought, he decided against it and picked up his bucket to return to the sand-pile.
Rasco came out of the shed again as Babu turned to leave and in a derogatory and perhaps vindictive tone, he shouted Babu’s name and screwed his face in feigned anger as he waited for him to run up. When Babu finally dragged himself to meet him, Rasco landed a hot slap on his cheek and stuttered in a low voice, “Na me dey call you wey you dey waka like snail...see, I be your oga for here and u suppose run when I dey call you. Try am another day and I go show you pepper.” When he was through expressing his anger, he stretched the money in his hand towards Babu, “Take this money, go buy two bottles of Malt for Oga and him visitor.”
Babu stared at Rasco contemptuously, pondering on the instinct within him to return the slap. He felt it was because he had refused to show his anger earlier that Rasco had repeated this disrespect. Rasco could have called someone else but had called him just to taunt him, he thought. Rasco was much older than him and for that reason, he decided not to hit him back but as for going on his errand, he would not have any of that. Babu turned his back and was about to leave when Rasco’s huge arms drew him back and his calloused palms dealt his face another hot slap. The slap had a louder report than the first and stung Babu’s face more painfully. He stretched forth his hand and grabbed Rasco’s shirt. He would have shown him that the biblical story of David and Goliath could be rehashed in modern times if he had not seen Huran running out of the shed to see what was happening. The house-owner also came out with Huran and it was the sight of the man that rather rendered Babu numb and unable to land his clenched fist on Rasco. Rasco freed himself from Babu’s grip and attempted to straighten his rumpled shirt while Babu just looked on, almost driven to tears amidst the fury rising tumultuously in his chest.
“What happened?” Huran asked, shaking Babu who like a transfixed object just looked on. Huran shook him again and repeated his question but Babu just gazed into seemingly into space. It was then that Huran noticed that the object of Babu’s almost-hypnotic gaze was neither him nor Rasco but the house-owner. Babu gave no response to Huran’s question but simply let the tears that had now welled up in his eyes to trickle down. When next Babu moved, he took a step forward and then not knowing what to think or say, he turned and began to walk away.
“Babu!” the house-owner shouted with an emotion-laden voice to the utmost shock of Huran and Rasco. “The man know Babu?” Rasco’s muffled voice asked Huran as the house-owner’s feet quickened past them. Huran had no answer and simply watched. Babu stopped and looked back at the approaching house-owner. “My son, please come back!” He continued as he walked past Huran and Rasco to meet with Babu. Tears now flowed freely from Babu’s face. He was hearing the same voice that had thundered three years before then, sending him away from home where there still existed a modicum of care and comfort into a totally uncaring world where people like Rasco tormented him. He was looking at the same face that had an implacable disposition to him a few years back when he was wrongly alleged to have stolen his money. He wished he could just go away, forever but when again he looked at his father’s face, he no longer saw the anger that was there three years ago but in its place, he saw pity, plea for forgiveness and repentance all at the same time.
“Babu, I’m sorry for all that happened. Jane later confessed she lied against you when we gave our life to Christ. I’ve tried my best to find you but my efforts proved futile. I was going to name this place after you after its completion but luck made me find you here. I’m really sorry. Come, let’s go home and I will make it up to you. Jane will apologise and make it up to you, I promise,” Mr Gemba pleaded with Babu.
Babu said nothing. He simply walked into his father’s open arms and shed more tears on his shoulder while he thought of how much he had lost and how much catching up he had to make. He thought of what would be Jane’s reaction when she saw him that evening. He thought of his friends and especially those who had deserted him at his moment of travails and imagined how ashamed they would be when they see him bounce back. He knew he had to start all over but it was all good, all was now resolved. Babu’s roving steamy eyes captured Rasco’s gaping mouth and confounded face staring at him, his face covered with sweat. He looked away and he tried not to think what he could do to Rasco now that he had been restored to his rightful position in the right order of things.
Babu looked up at the figure who had hit him and for a while thought it would just be right if he gave him a kick in his groin but just as he contemplated on the next line of action, the figure clenched his fist and would have menacingly brought it down on him if he had not hurried to his feet and moved back to dodge the blow.
“You idiot...Na me say make you no get power, your mates dey work, you dey here dey sleep. God punish your yanch,” Rasco, the site coordinator thundered.
Babu did not give a reply to Rasco’s insults but rather supported his neck with his hands and turned it to the left and then to the right. This was to relieve the pain resting his neck on a stone had caused him. He and other labourers had been lifting some heavy bags of cement and when the cement bags had all been lifted, Rasco ordered them to lift more sand buckets. It was at that moment that Babu felt he had to take a short rest and had surreptitiously slid into one of the rooms where he placed a stone at the end of a plank and placed himself on the plank for a short rest with his head resting on the stone.
Rasco quickly noticed that Babu was not part of the returning sand-fetching party and immediately saw an opportunity to get at him for his insolence earlier in the day. Babu was the only educated fellow among the labourers, at least he had started higher education at the state university before dropping out for financial reasons after his father evicted him from his house for an offence he did not commit. His half-education often made him feel he was not inferior to Rasco who was not educated and this made them clash frequently though frequently too, Rasco would threaten him with a sack and Babu, not knowing any other source of livelihood, would subdue himself and shamefully walk away, cursing in his throat. Babu was a brilliant young man in school before he dropped out and always took the slightest opportunity to show his labourer colleagues that he was better than them in some way, by speaking good English and mocking their inability to do the same. He also argued frequently with Rasco about increasing the pay of the labourers, among other things. That morning, Rasco had told the labourers to clear a bush where a wooden kiosk was to be erected but Babu objected and stood up to him to point out that their duty was to lift cement, stones, sand and water and did not include cutting grass. The other labourers agreed with him and Rasco had to get some boys from a nearby school to do the clearing. He was bitter and thought of how best he could get back at Babu without arousing the anger of the other labourers as Babu was beginning to have substantial influence among them. So, when he discovered that Babu had ignored his task, he was more than happy to deal with him.
“You beta go carry the sand now or I go show you say na my papa born me. I no go pay you your money for today and u no go fit do anything,” Rasco threatened as Babu walked away.
Inwardly, Babu cursed Rasco but his reason convinced him that it was best to walk away. He cursed not only Rasco, he also cursed his stars. He wondered why he had to go through so much misfortune. He had lost his mother when he was sixteen. His father had married another wife, Jane who made sure life for Babu was hell and on several occasions, she told grievous lies against him. The last one that forced Babu out of the house really got his father angry. A huge amount of money left by Babu’s father in his wardrobe had miraculously grown wings and when he noticed and began to look for it, his loving wife promptly narrated the story of how he saw Babu coming out of his father’s room with some money and that when she confronted him, he had offered that his father asked him to bring it. Mr Gemba instantly took the story to be the truth and demanded that Babu return the money. Babu vehemently denied the charge but his pleas were not convincing enough and the new phone he just brought back that evening did not help matters. Babu explained that the phone belonged to a course mate in the university but his father was not convinced and despite the numerous appeals of neighbours and summoned family members, he cursed and drove out Babu to the delight of Mrs Gemba. It was three years now but the pain still struck Babu’s heart as though it was fresh especially when he thought of the fact that his efforts to get back into the house had proved futile and no family member had offered to help. They were all interested in remaining in his father’s good books and that way ensuring that the little money they got from him frequently was protected. His attempts to get a job with his school-leaving certificate had also proved abortive while his friends also drove him away when they got tired of feeding him. He had then wandered into a nearby town sleeping in uncompleted buildings. It was Moya who had offered to lodge him that introduced him to Huran, for who Rasco worked.
Just as Babu returned with the second load of sand, he noticed that Rasco was running in and out of the small shed where Huran always stayed whenever he came around to see things for himself. He guessed Huran was around. He also noticed that there was a bit of uneasiness in the way Rasco ran up and down and that he had disposed of the cigarette stick that was, as always, in his mouth some minutes before then. It was then that he observed that there was a black Range-rover parked at the back of the shed beside Huran’s blue Mitsubishi car. It must belong to the owner of the new house they were building, he thought. He had never seen the man and neither Huran nor Rasco had said much about him. He felt like going to steal a look at his face but on second thought, he decided against it and picked up his bucket to return to the sand-pile.
Rasco came out of the shed again as Babu turned to leave and in a derogatory and perhaps vindictive tone, he shouted Babu’s name and screwed his face in feigned anger as he waited for him to run up. When Babu finally dragged himself to meet him, Rasco landed a hot slap on his cheek and stuttered in a low voice, “Na me dey call you wey you dey waka like snail...see, I be your oga for here and u suppose run when I dey call you. Try am another day and I go show you pepper.” When he was through expressing his anger, he stretched the money in his hand towards Babu, “Take this money, go buy two bottles of Malt for Oga and him visitor.”
Babu stared at Rasco contemptuously, pondering on the instinct within him to return the slap. He felt it was because he had refused to show his anger earlier that Rasco had repeated this disrespect. Rasco could have called someone else but had called him just to taunt him, he thought. Rasco was much older than him and for that reason, he decided not to hit him back but as for going on his errand, he would not have any of that. Babu turned his back and was about to leave when Rasco’s huge arms drew him back and his calloused palms dealt his face another hot slap. The slap had a louder report than the first and stung Babu’s face more painfully. He stretched forth his hand and grabbed Rasco’s shirt. He would have shown him that the biblical story of David and Goliath could be rehashed in modern times if he had not seen Huran running out of the shed to see what was happening. The house-owner also came out with Huran and it was the sight of the man that rather rendered Babu numb and unable to land his clenched fist on Rasco. Rasco freed himself from Babu’s grip and attempted to straighten his rumpled shirt while Babu just looked on, almost driven to tears amidst the fury rising tumultuously in his chest.
“What happened?” Huran asked, shaking Babu who like a transfixed object just looked on. Huran shook him again and repeated his question but Babu just gazed into seemingly into space. It was then that Huran noticed that the object of Babu’s almost-hypnotic gaze was neither him nor Rasco but the house-owner. Babu gave no response to Huran’s question but simply let the tears that had now welled up in his eyes to trickle down. When next Babu moved, he took a step forward and then not knowing what to think or say, he turned and began to walk away.
“Babu!” the house-owner shouted with an emotion-laden voice to the utmost shock of Huran and Rasco. “The man know Babu?” Rasco’s muffled voice asked Huran as the house-owner’s feet quickened past them. Huran had no answer and simply watched. Babu stopped and looked back at the approaching house-owner. “My son, please come back!” He continued as he walked past Huran and Rasco to meet with Babu. Tears now flowed freely from Babu’s face. He was hearing the same voice that had thundered three years before then, sending him away from home where there still existed a modicum of care and comfort into a totally uncaring world where people like Rasco tormented him. He was looking at the same face that had an implacable disposition to him a few years back when he was wrongly alleged to have stolen his money. He wished he could just go away, forever but when again he looked at his father’s face, he no longer saw the anger that was there three years ago but in its place, he saw pity, plea for forgiveness and repentance all at the same time.
“Babu, I’m sorry for all that happened. Jane later confessed she lied against you when we gave our life to Christ. I’ve tried my best to find you but my efforts proved futile. I was going to name this place after you after its completion but luck made me find you here. I’m really sorry. Come, let’s go home and I will make it up to you. Jane will apologise and make it up to you, I promise,” Mr Gemba pleaded with Babu.
Babu said nothing. He simply walked into his father’s open arms and shed more tears on his shoulder while he thought of how much he had lost and how much catching up he had to make. He thought of what would be Jane’s reaction when she saw him that evening. He thought of his friends and especially those who had deserted him at his moment of travails and imagined how ashamed they would be when they see him bounce back. He knew he had to start all over but it was all good, all was now resolved. Babu’s roving steamy eyes captured Rasco’s gaping mouth and confounded face staring at him, his face covered with sweat. He looked away and he tried not to think what he could do to Rasco now that he had been restored to his rightful position in the right order of things.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
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