Re: Before we crucify Sheik Pantami
I felt the need to respond to this write up by my fellow woman, Oluwakemi Ola. Sometime in March this year, I saw on live television programme, the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Mallam Isa Pantami, snatching a microphone from the hands of the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar […]
I felt the need to respond to this write up by my fellow woman, Oluwakemi Ola. Sometime in March this year, I saw on live television programme, the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Mallam Isa Pantami, snatching a microphone from the hands of the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta; forcing him to stop speaking.
This notorious act put me in complete and utter shock, as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari was present at the programme. This incident simply portrays the sheer arrogance of the minister, and so I was not surprised when his debacle with Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa came to the front burner.
Now, my dear sister, Oluwakemi Ola, wrote this article maybe because she is based in London and did not witness that particular incident. She should kindly visit any of the national TV stations to get a playback of the incident; of such a shameful act that happened in our dear country.
Let us get some things clear: Abike Dabiri-Erewa spent 15 years in active service at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), and while there, did not play the feminist card. She has become a role model to many; she contested election three times and was a member of parliament for 12 years. Even on her campaign train, not once did she ask that she be voted for based on her gender, but asked that her votes be based on the quality of her capability and the great works she was known for.
So making claims that the feminist card is being played is simply absurd. Let us analyse the situation. Oga Pantami was on a tour of the NCC Annex building in March, 2020, where he saw the fifth floor space that was allocated to (and in use by) the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM).
Liking what he saw, and wanting it for whatever reason, should not Oga Pantami, as the almighty minister, have summoned the Chairman of NIDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, to discuss? He failed to simply place a call through to the chairman, who at the time was in Addis Ababa on official assignment with the president. The action he took was completely unnecessary, especially without Abike’s consent, who, on her return, saw how her offices were destroyed; the staff locked out and all property belonging to NIDCOM made inaccessible since February, 2020.
Oga Pantami refused to see the need to “condescend” to have talks with a woman, as left to him, women are not to be seen or heard, and should only belong to his harem of wives and concubines.
If Abike fails to stand up and speak out, who will? Where is the hope for the Nigerian woman if a woman of her calibre can be mistreated and disregarded as such, and in a manner totally unacceptable? I do not know Pantami’s age, neither do I know the age of Abike, but I believe she is years older than he is.
Oga Pantami symbolises two of the greatest problems in Nigeria today: aggression of power and disregard for women. This must not be allowed to go unnoticed.
I salute Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa and see it as only right that Oga Pantami accords her a deserving apology. This is a woman of distinction and morality, a woman that all women and men should emulate, celebrate and appreciate.
So, Madam Oluwakemi Ola, I think you should get your facts right and reach out to Oga Pantami to tender apology to Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa and the entire Nigerian women.
To conclude, and following Oluwakemi’s pattern of quotes, let me end with this, asking that Ms. Ola passes it on to Oga Pantami: “An arrogant person considers himself perfect. This is the chief harm of arrogance. It interferes with a person’s main task in life – becoming a better person.” – Leo Tolstoy.
Susan Emelefor (writes from the US) [email protected]