Editorial Suite
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NIGERIA is marching on with democracy 14 years after the advent of civilian rule which effectively terminated military rule on May 29, 1999. The journey has been tortuous albeit tumultuous. The bumps on the road are just what opportunistic military officers in the years of yaw, needed to chase recalcitrant politicians out of power and the uninformed populace will gladly clap their hands until the reality dawns on them that the coupists are no better that civilians. Alas, military rule is no longer fashionable in the global community. It is especially so, when the military, for more than 30 years it ruled the country, showed that it was uglier than the ugliest civilian regime with corruption, arbitrariness, inefficiency and impunity being its hallmark. Perhaps, the civilian administrators learnt a lot of lessons on why they were easily chased out in the past and subsequently learnt to install defense chiefs that will be faithful to them.
This new awareness started with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who was also a general in the army and a beneficiary of coups. He understood his army colleagues’ mentality very well that one of the first things he did when he assumed office was to change the military chiefs and the security apparatus once he got into power. President Goodluck Jonathan also learnt the trick from his mentor – Obasanjo and did the same, installing military chiefs that are loyal only to him. This may have helped to steady the course of democracy in the country. But it has not stopped the country from going through all the pangs of a rebirth to enthrone a true democracy whereby the nation is corruption free, the rule of law is obeyed to the letter and impunity on the part of all top government officials, civil servants and every other person in either the public service or the private sector is curbed. Indeed, it has not been an easy road. Since 1999, it has been a tough and tumble ride. But the nation and its people are forging on nonetheless. And so by next week, we will be marking another May 29, albeit democracy day and it affords the nation the time to reflect on how far we have come on this jourrney. It is especially important that we also reflect on how far Jonathan has come since he took over the mantle of office two years ago after the rough ride to power occasioned by the vicissitude following late president Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s prolonged ill-health and eventual death. May 29 should be a day for sober meditation on all that has transpired in the country especially now that the country is in a state of war with a state of emergency being declared in three states of the federation. The editorial team of Realnews has put up a special democracy package which will help people, especially those in government and decision-making positions in the country to put the administration of President Jonathan in perspective and know exactly where it is headed. In this our first special democracy edition package, Olu Ojewale, general editor crafted the segment on Politics: Wading Through the Landmines, Maureen Chigbo, editor, wrote on Economy: Growth Without Substance, Anayo Ezugwu, reporter researcher pieced together the aspect on Security: Still Searching for Peace while Vincent Nzemeke, our special correspondent did justice to Unemplyment: Wasting the Youths. Of course, Mike Akpan, editor-in-chief, wrote the prologue. The stories are quite revealing. Enjoy them. Happy Democracy Day!
Maureen Chigbo
Editor
Tel: +234 080525287603
Email: mechigbo@yahoo.com
— Jun. 3, 2013 @ 01:00 GMT
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THE BASIC QUESTIONS
HABAKKUK 2:7
Will not your creditors (debtors) rise up suddenly? Will they not awaken who oppress you? And you will become their booty.
There is a very grave threat to building relationship. The words of Gamaliel in Acts 5:33-39 make meaning today. The problem between the Late Idahosa and Pastor Apena resurrected in Nasarawa State recently. When the leader suspects radicalism in the follower, constraints meant to curtail overzealousness are often put in place. Idealists and reformers are often treated as rebels. Ecclesiastes 10:10 is the foundation of wisdom. Only fools struggle with their tools. Watch behind you before reacting.
Jesus Christ was subjected to severe sanctions by the Jewish authority to such an extent that He had to pay the supreme price for crimes not committed. When the same attempt was meted out to Muhammad, he turned the fire on the heads of the leaders. He won the battle giving jihadists a pride of place in relationship. Jihadists are not godly.
Why do leaders hurt the visionary in an attempt to kill the vision?
Why has the idealist remained in the disagreeable society?
Why should society compel conformism in the polity?
The basic questions should be addressed presently. The Federal Government of Nigeria had intended to instill order in Nasarawa State by posting the police to do the usual. The ‘rebels’ in Nasarawa State ambushed and killed the police. Insurgency remained with the Nigerians. Who is winning the battle? State of emergency was declared on Yobe, Borno and Adamawa States and Nigerians are debating once again. Which way Nigeria? Only the knowledge of truth in proclamation can restore peace to the Nigerian. Jihad was condemned in Genesis 16.
Somebody owed me a lot of money but when I asked him to pay part of his many debts; he invited his Lawyer to tell me that he was lending me money which was part of the debt he owed me. It sounded amusing to me though I took it as a committal to pay the existing debt. What do you have to say? I need your advice urgently on these matters. I called the Lawyer who had acted on his brief without consultation. He told me that he was allowed in law to promote injury once he had been briefed. I chose to put the evidence before my Lawyer for a solicited advice. Amen!
UTTERING THE ALTERED MESSAGE
The word ‘utter’ means to say or express something. ‘Alter’ means to change or make different. A ‘message’ means information that moves from one person to another. Communication takes place when information is conveyed, understood and effectively interpreted. When you have a message and you discover that that message had been altered, what are you supposed to do?
There is no smoke without a fire. Things do not just happen. They are made to happen and they happen for a purpose. Necessity is the mother of invention. The concept of name calling is the acceptable basis for speaking in parables. If you keep saying the same thing again and again, it shall soon become a law with you. Attitude is a reflection of character as well as a determinant of altitude. Can you afford to look back deep enough today? What did you see?
The Nigerian Institution of Surveyors went to Benin in the year 2000 for its Annual General Meeting having gone to Awka the previous year. The corruption that we are struggling with today was evident in Benin. One of us laid it open to us. I thanked God I was not there but when the matter was brought up in Lagos, we resolved to benefit from its product. The guinea pig soon became the scapegoat but we expected it to metamorphose to become the sacred cow. Take a second look at THE MEN IN THE SURVEYING PROFESSION. That book was shown to the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors at the AGM in Minna 2001 and it was presented to the reading public colorfully on 15th June, 2001.
We had planned to discuss some of the content of the book on 23rd January, 2002 but that event could not be because the lead speaker died about two weeks to the due date and was buried that day. As we were preparing for the twelfth anniversary of victory celebration, we would gladly look at the role of the teacher in conflict management. What we are doing presently is to create awareness and provide a thrust of the forthcoming big event. We are equally praying for the grace to be living witnesses of the occasion. Some questions will come to light. You will be obliged to ask or answer some of these questions.
To lead us, we have represented THE MEN IN THE SURVEYING PROFESSION to the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors to be the foundation of whatever we have to say. Please take a second look at the book and give us the benefit of doubt. How best can we fight corruption and win the battle in our time?
Which message do you carry about today?
What is the goal of the message?
Who is the author of the message?
Where is the origin of the message?
When was the message first proclaimed?
How was the message formulated?
How was the message propagated?
Why was the message presented?
Has the message attained its goal?
What will you do now?
Please address these issues right away and keep us posted in our fight against corruption in Nigeria. Amen!
Eyefia William Oniovosa
mXDIaF I think this is a real great blog article.Thanks Again. Fantastic.