Farida Waziri (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s Boss) does not need any introduction. She had just revealed that “Nigerians are not ready to fight corruption”. To the author, this is a simple indictment on herself as the EFCC Boss, and the government, since both her position and that of various tiers of government are occupied by Nigerians. A simple question to Farida Waziri is; who will fight corruption or lead the fight against corruption? The masses or the government with all state apparatus. Glad that she has spoken the truth. Nigerians know the problem has always been with the government.
Several local and international organizations have at one point or the other indicted our government on corruption. According to the United Nations (UN), “Nigerian kleptocrats have milked the nation to the tune of about $100 billion dollars thorough various acts of grand corruption, the cost of which it lamented by far exceeded the damage caused by any other single crime” (Daily Sun, Wednesday, December 3, 2008 page 9). “The World Bank estimates the country’s generals and gangster politicians stole $300 billion in the three decades to 2006”(Time Magazine, May 3rd 2010 Edition, Page 42). Transparency International noted Nigeria as one of the leading corrupt nations.
The author would wish readers to revisit his speech to Nigerians at the University of Warwick, UK, titled: Corruption: Rampant Political Corruption (Law Enforcement, Justice and Penal Systems, Legislative System, Misappropriation of Funds) Corruption is Embedded in Society. Date 9th March 2011. University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, CV4 7AL. (http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com/2011_03_01_archive.html)
Fighting corruption in Nigeria will require a leader made up of iron and steel. For now, the author has not seen any of such person(s). May God bless Nigeria.
Chinedu Vincent Akuta.
An Activist and Citizens Journalist.
akutachinedu@yahoo.com
http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com
Monday, November 7, 2011
Disenfranchising Fellow Nigerians.
The author is no longer surprised about what happens in Nigeria or what comes out of Nigeria. Therefore, it didn’t come as a surprise, when the House of Representatives stood down a bill, seeking to amend the 2010 electoral act that would have made it possible, for Nigerians in Diaspora to vote. Deputy Leader of the House, Leo Ogor raised concerns that Nigeria was not ripe for such an exercise, even when President Goodluck Jonathan promised that by 2015, those in Diaspora will vote. Over 20 African countries have already started Diaspora votes for their citizens, yet Nigeria is not ripe, according to the House of Representative deputy leader. This is pure man’s inhumanity to mankind. Disenfranchising fellow citizens.
Without doubts, greater part of our problems is from our “elites”. The author also remembered when the current Senate President (David Mark) was a communication minister, he said, “that telephone is not for the poor”. All previous governments have in one way or other pushed the people further into poverty. At present, our President appears to have made up his mind to remove the oil subsidy. All these are direct assault on the Nigerian masses both home and in the Diaspora. The only reason, why “any ruler” wakes up one morning to say or implement any harsh policy is because Nigerians are prepared to tolerate. There seems to be no limit to our tolerance level. The ability to accept/tolerate every thing the government does, is also our biggest hindrance to progress and development as a nation.
The time is now to start saying no and question any wrong policy. Whenever the government tries to impose a wrong policy, citizens should have no choice but to protest and resist peacefully. This can be achieved by mobilizing and educating one another that, good governance is our birth right(s). Enough is enough. May God bless Nigeria.
Chinedu Vincent Akuta.
An Activist and Citizens Journalist.
akutachinedu@yahoo.com
http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com
Without doubts, greater part of our problems is from our “elites”. The author also remembered when the current Senate President (David Mark) was a communication minister, he said, “that telephone is not for the poor”. All previous governments have in one way or other pushed the people further into poverty. At present, our President appears to have made up his mind to remove the oil subsidy. All these are direct assault on the Nigerian masses both home and in the Diaspora. The only reason, why “any ruler” wakes up one morning to say or implement any harsh policy is because Nigerians are prepared to tolerate. There seems to be no limit to our tolerance level. The ability to accept/tolerate every thing the government does, is also our biggest hindrance to progress and development as a nation.
The time is now to start saying no and question any wrong policy. Whenever the government tries to impose a wrong policy, citizens should have no choice but to protest and resist peacefully. This can be achieved by mobilizing and educating one another that, good governance is our birth right(s). Enough is enough. May God bless Nigeria.
Chinedu Vincent Akuta.
An Activist and Citizens Journalist.
akutachinedu@yahoo.com
http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com
No Celebration @ 51.
The writer disassociates himself from any 51st independence anniversary celebration. Instead of celebration, we should weep for Nigeria. The reason is because our past and present “rulers” have failed the nation. The Nigerian masses have also failed the nation, for failing to realize their power to positively change the nation. Citizens’ empowerment is needed in every sphere of life. Imagine citizens’ full support for the fight against bad governance, injustices, crimes, corruption, kidnapping, raping, etc. Each of us owes the country a duty to help empowerment our fellow citizens. Again, the country needs a fundamental restructuring. May God bless Nigeria.
Chinedu Vincent Akuta.
An Activist and Citizens Journalist.
akutachinedu@yahoo.com
http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com
Chinedu Vincent Akuta.
An Activist and Citizens Journalist.
akutachinedu@yahoo.com
http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com
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