Short & Sharp

Was the late colonel carrying a personal firearm? Perhaps this is the right time to bring this matter up, while the country still mourns the tragic death of Colonel Samaila Inusa. It is quite common to see a high ranking officer in Nigeria moving without a firearm, but in developed countries this is not the […]

Was the late colonel carrying a personal firearm?

Perhaps this is the right time to bring this matter up, while the country still mourns the tragic death of Colonel Samaila Inusa. It is quite common to see a high ranking officer in Nigeria moving without a firearm, but in developed countries this is not the case. If Nigeria does not trust it’s military to hold pistols anywhere they go, then why do they even bother to commission them? Pledging to be in the military is swearing to die for one’s country. At least these men and women deserve to have what it takes to hold their own in the event of any attack. Personally, I wouldn’t like to be in the military if I am not trusted to hold a personal firearm.
Gayus Jacob, Katsina
 
Kachikwu’s honesty
Has anyone stopped to ponder why it is difficult to say the truth in Nigerian politics? Probably every adult has. Recently, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, said fuel station queues will not disappear till May. Immediately, some chided him for saying this and for not giving the people hope, while others said he should have been diplomatic. But I think this is a problem in itself. No, suddenly, he has said the queues will disappear on April 7 and many are still doubtful. Well, that is what we asked for – hope. May was still ‘hope’ if you ask me, after all, what is the guarantee that it will end anytime soon?
Bode olaniyi, Lagos  

On Katsina town hall meeting
The town hall meeting embarked upon by Katsina State Governor Alhaji Aminu Bello Masai is a welcome development.
No doubt, Masari deserves accolades for making himself accessible to the electorate at a time when other political office holders are dodging them. The meeting, which was flagged off at Zango for the people of Zango/Baure federal constituency, is planned for all the state’s 15 federal constituencies. The meeting which was the first of its kind in the state enabled the electorate to express their views and suggest ways to move the state forward, while the governor highlighted the financial position of the state and local governments.
Dikko Bala K/Sauri, Kofar-Sauri, Katsina

Now that the budget has been passed
The National Assembly passed the 2016 budget on March 23 three months after it was submitted to its joint session. Though the lawmakers slashed the figures in the original budget proposal, due largely to the nation’s dwindling resources, it is expected that our amiable president will implement it to the latter to the benefit of all Nigerians.
John Habila Murai  [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>