Happy Eid-el-Fitr, PMB

Even today, Naira ranks amongthe fastest-depreciating currencies in the world, and we are ranked on a worldbarometer study at having the greatest disparity between the haves and thehave-nots. Earlier in the week, I was at theWole Soyinka Media for oil Reform lecture at the Sheraton Hotels Abuja, where GovernorNasiru El Rufai declared that our rich […]

Even today, Naira ranks amongthe fastest-depreciating currencies in the world, and we are ranked on a worldbarometer study at having the greatest disparity between the haves and thehave-nots. Earlier in the week, I was at theWole Soyinka Media for oil Reform lecture at the Sheraton Hotels Abuja, where GovernorNasiru El Rufai declared that our rich men enjoy the lifestyles of thewealthiest in the world while our poor are the wretched of the earth. I shudderedwith disgust for such proclamation of disequilibrium.
And I tried to find explanations for it. My finger landed on theabsence of the rule of law, including, private and public indiscipline, juveniledelinquency, adult deviance, primitive accumulation and crime without punishment. You may have heard PMB sir, that out of more than 300 cases that EFCCprosecuted in the last couple of years only about ten were indeed sanctioned.Even those got away with a slap on the wrist. People who stole billions fromNigeria were let off the hook with a penny-pinching fine.PMB sir, let me hasten to addhere that no country progresses when its citizenry is mired in the sweet scentof monumental economic sleaze, lawlessness and impunity.
I believe that theNigerian people elected you because of their belief that you can deal witheconomic crimes without fear or favor. So when you hear that youradministration is slow, it is not because you have not appointed ministers. Thosewho are agitating for ministers are doing so because they bleed thosepositions. Most others don’t care. At least there are Permanent secretaries whoare running ministries satisfactorily. People say you are slow because nobodyis yet seeking reprieve from behind the hideous squalor of Nigerian prisons.PMB sir, you will be visitingthe United States on Sunday and I wish you a very safe trip there and back. However,while there, mute out on that controversial subject of same-sex marriage. TellObama to expect an answer from our senate and just leave the matter there. Sayno more. But before meeting President Obama, I implore you to keep your face gluedto your window shield as you drive around Washington.
You will not see automobilesbehaving as if the universe had stopped revolving, although it is the seat ofthe only remaining super power known to man. You will see order andcivilization, in Washington, which, in real terms, is only half as beautiful asAbuja.You may also see thousands ofpeople strolling out of the earth. Do not mistake them for worms. No, they arepassengers of the subway, the underground train. These are conveniences that welack in Nigeria and many are saying that only you can make this country right. Solearn from what you see, not what you hear, because it is the sentiment that galvanizeswestern leaders to action.Things are different inNigeria. Here, the more you look the less you see.
The political landscape ispregnant with blunders and barren of ideas as to how to steer us in the rightdirection. Our country has been hovering on the brink of economic ruin, avoidablemurders, corruption, lawlessness, and an inept NNPC that Nasiru el Rufai saidif we don’t kill, will kill us. Our politicians have shown themselves to be soselfish that they can even surrender the reins of power to the opposition if treacherywill advance their ambitions.But it is not just the faultof the politicians. We must take some blame for what has happened. Ourvigilance is comatose. By our own docility, being afraid to speak up, and bakedin the furnace of polarized politics, we have become steeped in the pool ofcorruption. Having accepted political handouts as an entitlement, we have resigned ourselves to mediocre representation. We pass all the ills of the country on to politicians, yet many of us are beneficiaries of their practices and will not raise a finger or voice to expose  them. We are stewing in our own juice. As a catalyst for improvement and redemption, we need to put to sleep our in-born political divisiveness and give birth to a dawn of unity in the best  interest of Nigeria. Let’s examine where we, as a people, register on the guilt barometer. They say everything is on slow march, which seems to be your capital crime. But Rome was not built in a day.
My guess is that those who make this argument are mischievous sir. In 1984 you were kickedout without resistance because you were slow at outlining your transition tocivil rule program. But those who kicked you out never left in a hurry either,until eight years later, when they ran up hill with their tails between theirlegs. So keep it slow if it will bring light at the end of the tunnel.I wonder, looking back, howpositive things about this country always coincide with your tenure. I stillrecall with nostalgia the days of Nduka Ugbade in 1984 when the Golden Eagletslifted its first ever global soccer laurel. Then you were Nigeria’s militaryHead of State. You looked magnificent in your military regalia at 42 and yourhead gear of choice, the beret sat splendidly on your head. But it is not yoursartorial appearance that people relish. It is the stuff you are made of. Youhave the self-esteem to understand that money does not define people.
Theircharacters do. So you did not steal and I believe even today, you will notsteal.And that is why after decadesof mismanagement and squander-mania, even those who went to jail for operatingprivate businesses at work as civil servants have forgiven you. Nduka Iraborand Tunde Thompson the two journalists you jailed under your obnoxious decree 4also have. PMB sir, you are on the roll so far. But when people trust you withtheir lives, and you accept such responsibility, you are no longer exempt fromcriticism and accountability. Finally PMB sir, I just wantto wish you a happy eid-el-fitr which concludes the Ramadhan fast as usual. Anda safe trip to the US and back.