Management of The Sun Publishing Limited has returned the N9 million which it received from the former National Security Adviser (NSA) as its share from the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN). The money was given as compensation for the seizure of its newspapers and stoppage of circulation during the Goodluck Jonathan administration in June 2014. In a statement issued yesterday by the Managing Director/Editor-in- Chief, of the company, Eric Osagie, The Sun said that it took the decision to return the money as a result of the controversies, which the payment of the compensation had generated and the need to come clean on the matter. The statement reads: “The Management of The Sun Publishing Limited has considered the public outcry and diverse controversies generated among media houses, the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) and the public over the N120 million paid by the Goodluck Jonathan administration as compensation to newspaper companies for the unlawful seizure of their newspapers and stoppage of circulation by armed soldiers in several cities across the country in June 2014. “Having reviewed the situation, we wish to state as follows: “After the unlawful action of the military, to which The Sun lost millions of naira, we had signified the intention to commence litigation against the Federal Government along with other affected newspaper companies. “However, at the level of the NPAN, which The Sun is a member, a decision was collectively taken to accept the Presidency’s offer of peaceful settlement in place of litigation in the interest of peace and national security. “We were later informed of the payment of N120 million compensation out of which the sum of N9 million was paid to The Sun Management by the NPAN. “At the time the compensation was paid, we had no inkling whatsoever under which expenditure sub-head in the Presidency the fund was sourced and that it was allegedly part of the funds meant for the purchase of arms. “As a very responsible newspaper organization, which places premium on ethics, individual and corporate integrity, we are certainly embarrassed by the turn of events and the unfortunate insinuation of involvement in the illegal sharing of the nation’s commonwealth and the feasting on the blood of soldiers fighting the war against insurgency. “We believe strongly in our corporate integrity and principles of fairness and social justice, which have driven our business considerations over the years. “In the light of the foregoing, we have returned the cheque of N9 million to the NPAN for onward transmission to the source through which it came. “We have seen that the good intention not to seek redress in court has seemingly backfired. “We have also given notice to our lawyers to immediately commence the process in court to redress the huge loss suffered through the actions of the military. “We assure our teeming readers of our commitment to serving them faithfully and conscientiously by upholding the time-tested principles of fair business ethics, equity and social justice.”[myad]
Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo has made it clear that Nigeria does not need another civil war after the 1967-70 war between Nigeria and the Biafra. He stressed the need for better dialogue instead of beating war drums. The former President who spoke at the unveiling of a banquet hall built in his name by the Executive Vice President, Centre for Policy and Foreign Engagement, Dr. Agbai Eke Agbai, said: “our differences could only be addressed when issues are discussed instead of going to war.” Obasanjo who was reacting to the protests by pro-Biafra agitators in some parts of South-east and Lagos recently said: “we do not need another civil war. We had fought one before. I was part of it. “I saw with my eyes. I heard with my ears. I smelled with my nose. What we need is better communication. And I am here to communicate with you. “What I enjoy most is the cultural diversity. “Earlier in the week, I was in Benue State and I enjoyed the cultural dance. Since I arrived here yesterday I have enjoyed the cultural dances. What we need to address is how to reduce unemployment, how to reduce poverty, and how to hold our leaders accountable to their promises.” Obasanjo was at the burial of Mama Enyidya Beatrice Agbai, in Abiriba, Abia state.[myad]
Police officers in Bayelsa state have turned the state inside out through a stop and search/cordon operations in a bid to rescue Nancy Keme Dickson, the younger sister to the Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson and her sales girl who were kidnapped by unknown armed men today.
The gunmen, numbering four and driving an ash colour Lexus Jeep, were said to stormed their victim shop at about 2.50pm today, triggering movement of heavy security personnel to the exit and entry points into the state capital.
Eyewitnesses said the gunmen trailed Nancy Keme Dickson to her shop along Okaka road, Yenagoa where she and her sales girl were kidnapped and taken away to an unknown destination.
The state police public relations officer, Asinim Butswat said: “on the 19 December, 2015, at about 1450hrs, four unknown gunmen in an ash coloured Lexus Jeep, trailed one Nancy Keme Dickson, 26 yrs, to her shop at Okaka road, Yenagoa, and abducted her and her sales girl to an unknown destination.
“Efforts have been intensified to arrest the abductors and investigation is ongoing.” [myad]
White Witches Association of Nigeria (WHIWTAN), has said that corrupt Nigerians who are currently going through investigations in the hands of the anti corruption agents are lucky that it is President Buhari that has decided to deal with them.
“These looters are even lucky that it was Buhari that was going after them to expose and punish them. On our own, we had decided to wage spiritual war against them, and our own punishment would have been harsher. But since Buhari has decided to take up the challenge, we have decided to support him. Buhari should not be afraid. I want to assure him that no human force can overcome him.”
The spokesperson for the witches, Dr Okhue Iboi, said that decision to support Buhari’s anti-corruption crusade was taken at the end of an emergency meeting of the association that took place at Ofosu, Edo State.
The spokesperson asked the President not to be afraid to step on toes in his avowed determination to sanitise the country.
“As stakeholders in the project called Nigeria, we can’t fold our arms and pretend that all is well with our nation. It will not only amount to act of unpatriotism if we decide to look the other way while others are speaking out on way forward for Nigeria,” Ibori said.
“Following our worries over Nigeria, the general assembly of witches decided to hold this meeting. In attendance were witches from all the 36 states of Nigeria including Katsina, the home state of Buhari. It was at the end of this meeting that the unanimous decision was taken that we should support Buhari to fight corruption. There was no dissenting voice – we also took other decisions on some national issues affecting the country.
“We have one or two piece of advice that we want to give him if he can send emissaries to us or invite us to Aso Rock. Contrary to the wrong impression by some people, white witches are not evil people. We liberate people from evil people. We are messengers of God, and for over 20 years now, we have been speaking regularly in the media on some national issues,” he said.
Speaking on the fate of Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike regarding election rerun which the court has ordered, Iboi urged Wike to pray very well as he may not return to the Government House. “The ball is in Wike’s court. If he wants to remain as governor of Rivers State, he should pray very well otherwise the wind of change currently sweeping across the country will blow him away. But if he does all the needful, he will retain his seat,” he said. On the crisis rocking All Progressives Congress (APC) over Saraki’s leadership of the Senate, Iboi said APC may break into splinter groups even as he asked the National Leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Buhari to continue to work together for the benefit of Nigerians.
“The partnership between Buhari and Tinubu is divinely ordained, but let it be known to the two of them that some people even within APC are not happy with the union between the two men. They want the two of them to clash. Some saboteurs who I will call enemies of Nigeria are desperate to separate them, but they will fail in their ungodly mission.”
The apokesman attributed the lost of the last Presidential election by former President Goodluck Jonathan to his disobeying the witches. [myad]
Former Chelsea coach, Guus Hiddink has expressed his excitement for his return to coach the team with the ouster of Jose Mourinho. Hiddink will serve as first-team manager until the end of the season. Responding to his appointment as contained in a a statement by the club, Guus said: “I am looking forward to working with the players and staff at this great club and especially renewing my wonderful relationship with the Chelsea fans.” The owner and the Board of Chelsea FC had, in a statement, welcome back Guus whom it described as a coach with a wealth of top-level experience and success, including his previous spell with the club in 2009 when it lifted the FA Cup. “Mr Abramovich and the Board believe that Guus has what it takes to get the best out of our talented squad. I am looking forward to working with the players and staff at this great club and especially renewing my wonderful relationship with the Chelsea fans.” That was even as Guus expressed his excitement for his return to Chelsea, saying: “I am excited to return to Stamford Bridge. Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in the world but is not where it should be at the moment. However, I am sure we can all turn this season around.” The Dutchman was expected to be at Stamford Bridge for today’s match, even though Steve Holland would be expected to take control of team matters for the game alongside Eddie Newton, who will now take on the role of assistant first-team coach. Holland has been an important and influential member of the coaching staff since 2009, while Newton is Chelsea through and through, having served us as a player and a coach, re-joining the club in 2012 and helping it win the Champions League. Hiddink took temporary charge of Chelsea in February 2009, losing just one league game as the team recovered from a poor first half of the season to finish third in the Premier League, guaranteeing Champions League football for the next campaign and signing off in style thanks to a 2-1 FA Cup win over Everton at Wembley. That role was combined with being coach of Russia, one of six international posts he has held during a coaching career, which has spanned three decades. Hiddink’s first managerial job was in his homeland with PSV, a club he had represented during a 15-year playing career. As coach, he lifted three league titles and the European Cup in 1988. Three more followed during a second stint there between 2002 and 2006, with the intervening years seeing him coach in Turkey and Spain as well as lead the Dutch, South Korean and Australian national teams. As South Korea coach, he led them to a stunning third place at the 2002 World Cup on home soil, one place better than with the Netherlands four years earlier. Having taken the Russian job in 2006, Hiddink led them to the semi-finals of Euro 2008 before taking the reins at Chelsea on a temporary basis in early 2009. A 2-1 win at Aston Villa in his first game set the tone for the remainder of the season and it took a last-minute Andres Iniesta strike on a controversial night to deny the Blues a place in the Champions League final. Hiddink’s first stay in west London ended well, however, with the whole of Stamford Bridge singing his name following Chelsea’s final home game of the season and the fans unveiling a huge “thank you” banner at Wembley prior to the FA Cup final, in which Chelsea came from behind to win. Since then, Hiddink has coached Turkey and the Netherlands, as well as spending 18 months at Anzhi Makhachkala in Russia, where he signed Willian from Shakhtar Donetsk. [myad]
All the billions flying here and there can truly make anyone dizzy. Perhaps the rented crowd lining up behind thieves are themselves so dizzy that they are not able to exactly tell what this is really about. We are talking about billions of dollars, trillions of Naira made away with, stolen, diverted to fund phantom and fictitious contracts in less than three years; and some are wailing and whining, alleging witch-hunt. For some reason, the media has been playing up the 2.2 billion dollar component of the heist that you might think that is all that this is about. I had fallen for that that too, as this exercise started out as one to consider to a few things we could have done with two billion dollars to improve the quality of life of our people. Then I decided to check up the figures. So far, total extra budgetary interventions, as collated by the committee which probed the arms, was found to be N643.8 billion, while the foreign currency component was $2.2 billion. In other words, we are talking of over one trillion naira. There is a report of 53 failed contracts valued at $2.3 billion dollars and N13 billion; phantom contracts worth 2.2 billion naira, 1.6 billion dollars and 9.9 million euros; and 132 million dollars and 9 million euros transferred out of the country under instructions for purposes not ascertained. So, in all, what are we talking about?
If you are not feeling dizzy at this point, I give you kudos. I am lost myself, not knowing where to start, as this was initially about utilising 400 billion naira, but as I can see, we have before us at least a trillion naira that could have been put into good use. The painful bit about this is the impression often given that our problem is that lack of resources, when we all know that is the least of our problems. It is even more annoying that once the talk shifts to doing just a little for the poor, all kinds of pretend-Economists come, daggers-drawn, to tell us how unsustainable such a policy is. They have been lining up to shout down the plan to make the payment of five thousand naira to the most vulnerable among us. Where will the money come from? Giving handout does not make any sense. What can be done with five thousand naira?
Our own Segun Adeniyi derisively dismisses five thousand naira as money for recharge cards. Perhaps it is for him and the privileged class, but it is a lot of money for Bala. The total value of goods in his wheel-barrow is less than two thousand naira, so five thousand cannot be recharge card money, for him. For Mama Efe who sells ‘Boli’ and roasted yam down the road, she will definitely thank God for a monthly five thousand naira to help increase her stock. Chinedu who moves in between cars in traffic, hawking handkerchiefs, understands what five thousand naira can do, seeing that his total stock is valued at less than three thousand naira. He has friends who started out with only a fifty naira bag of sachet water, gotten through credit facility from the distributor. Many of our mothers trade with less than five thousand naira, yet miraculously manage to put food on the table for their families
One of the challenges we have today is not simply that of policy makers being too far away from the people, opinion moulders are sometimes too distant to be able to feel the pulse of the people. Now that some of our Columnists write from the cosy corners of private jets and privileged tables of the high and mighty, it is understandable that they are no longer able to tell what five thousand naira will do for the people at the lowest end of the pool in the informal sector.
Nigeria is definitely not Finland, but it cannot be completely unknown to economics, as often led to believe, that a society will seek to put a bit of cushion at the back of its most vulnerable, as it is being contemplated here, if even today, Finland’s government is drawing up plans to give every one of its citizens a basic monthly income of 800 euros. Some commentators miss the point when they argue that government has no business making that token payment; that it is better for it to concentrate on creating an enabling environment for job and wealth creation. Are we saying the two cannot be done together? Where were the commentators when government bailed out banks and other sectors with trillions of naira from our commonwealth? What is wrong with bailing out the poor? We have not talked about the impact such direct payment will make on the economy of the poor. We have not even considered the sense in the conditional cash transfer that links payment to maternal and child healthcare.
How much does it cost to give children in public schools a meal a day? How much is five thousand naira for the most vulnerable 20 million Nigerians, compared to what has been made away with by a few Nigerians, over the few years? I will rather Nigeria, for once, risks putting a little into the hands of the poor. Let us take $2 billion from what was alleged to have been made away with. At N200 a dollar, that is N400 billion. Now with only N400 billion, we can procure basic health insurance premium from private Health Management Organisations (HMOs) at N20,000 per head for 20 million Nigerians. That way, we would have pulled additional 20 million Nigerians into the health insurance net, assuring them of immediate, regular access to health care, which will make great and immediate impact on the quality of life and productivity in the country.
Can you imagine what N400 billion pumped into the health sector will do to grow that sector? Can you imagine how many thousands of jobs that will be created, how that will put money in the hands of health care workers, hospitals, insurance companies and even the banks, not to talk of its overall effect on the economy? Needless to say that in tackling our social problems, there are a myriad of economic opportunities that can help drive an all-round, inclusive development of the economy.
With N400 billion, we can guarantee 20 million Nigerian children, at N20,000 per head (estimated market price for 2 shots), rotavirus vaccination to protect them against diarrhoea. Now, consider the fact that the vaccine is being administered to children in India for $1 and the opportunities and cost savings that will come as we bulk-purchase on the generic drugs being administered in India, it means we will be able to go beyond rotavirus. We can administer vaccines such as Pneumococcal conjugate, MMR, Meningococcal conjugate, Chicken-pox and others on millions of Nigerian children, who, at the moment, are not immunised against many of these childhood killer diseases, as these vaccines are excluded from the NPI immunisation list.
The children are denied the best start in life, simply because your heroes stole the country blind, will not forget, when tomorrow comes, how their tomorrow was stolen yesterday. Those snoring in their cosy corners today, might be the first victims of a tomorrow, not moulded into shape by the hands in control, today. A token 500 billion naira voted for social investment in 2016 is only an urgent, tiny first step in the direction of pulling up those at the bottom of the pyramid.
Unfortunately, too many people are lost to their party, ethnic and religious affiliations to be able to think clearly. Billions of dollars frittered away mean little to them. N2.1 billion from the commonwealth in the hands of one man, in pretence of running a “multi-media campaign” for a political party is nothing. They are too lost to get it. They cannot see the link between the mismanagement and corruption of yesterday and the exchange rate today. Perhaps when we begin to ask questions from those who claimed to have coordinated the economy only yesterday, we will begin to get somewhere.
Some ask us why we write. We do because we understand how corruption adversely affects us all. We write because it affects us, if not directly, it does indirectly affect us. Soldiers who might have been alive today, looking forward to Christmas died, unnecessarily. Children, who need not die, are dying, due to lack of access to basic healthcare. Yet some are lining up behind those whose actions and inaction led us to where we are. They think that because they can afford the luxuries of life for themselves and their immediate families, all is well. Myopia only takes the fool so far. The children denied the best start in life, simply because your heroes stole the country blind, will not forget, when tomorrow comes, how their tomorrow was stolen yesterday. Those snoring in their cosy corners today, might be the first victims of a tomorrow, not moulded into shape by the hands in control, today. A token 500 billion naira voted for social investment in 2016 is only an urgent, tiny first step in the direction of pulling up those at the bottom of the pyramid.
Simbo Olorunfemi works for a Nigerian Communications Consultancy. [myad]
The Senate has called on the federal government to urgently put machinery in place to revive the Ajaokuta Steel Company. The Senate said that the move will create employment for local craft men, physically challenged at home and abroad and professionals in all fields. The Senate also advised the federal government to commence the immediate rehabilitation of rail line and dredging of the water ways linking Ajaokuta. The chamber also mandated its committee on power and steel development to henceforth undertake a holistic investigation of the reasons Ajaokuta Steel Company and other steel plants in Nigeria that are not operational and consequently advance recommendations for their effective take-off. According to Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West), who moved the motion, the country has in the past nine years spent whopping a N2.1 trillion to import steel into the country. While lamenting that the steel sector spends over N500 billion annually on steel importation, Melaye said if the steel sector is revived, it will have the capacity to rival the oil sector. He lamented that despite the huge sums expended on the steel sector in less than a decade, the sector has continued to be bedevilled by multifarious challenges. [myad]
The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Ikunyi Awaji-Ibani has resigned his position as Speaker.
Ibani dropped the shocker at exactly 6:57pm today immediately after passing the N307b 2016 budget as presented by the state Governor, Nyesom Wike.
The Speaker did not give any reason but said “in life, there is time for everything.
“I was called to serve and I think I have served you well. At this juncture, I want to announce that I am stepping aside for reasons best known to me.” [myad]
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called on members nations to ban the use of full-face veil, known as Hijjab for Muslim women in Africa to stem the use of female bombers by the Boko Haram terrorist group. The organization stressed that a ban would go a long way to prevent attacks by female suicide bombers who pretend to be true Muslims whereas they are terrorist or agent of the insurgents.
In a statement yesterday, ECOWAS said: “Certain dress codes, such as the full-face veil, make identification difficult and hinder police operations.”
Boko Haram has used girls as suicide bombers by hiding explosives in loose-fitting clothes.
According to the body, the summit allowed Heads of State and Government also to exchange views on peace and security matters, particularly the new cross-border threats in the ECOWAS region.
Excerpts from the statement by ECOWAS reads: “The Authority reaffirms the importance of peace, security and stability for the economic development of the ECOWAS region. It reiterates its commitment to the standards and principles underpinning the peace and security architecture as set out in the protocol relating to the mechanism for conflict prevention, management, resolution, peacekeeping and security, as well as the Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance”.
“The Authority expresses deep concern over terrorism in the Sahel region and condemns in the strongest terms, the terrorist attack in Bamako on November 20, 2015, as well as the Boko Haram group’s recurrent terrorist acts in the Lake Chad Basin countries”.
“The Authority reaffirms its determination to relentlessly pursue the fight against terrorism and consequently underscores the need for a coordinated international struggle”.
“Similarly, the Heads of State and Government are of the view that certain dress codes, which make identification of the persons concerned difficult, may considerably hinder actions geared towards protecting people and properties. They, therefore, urge all Member States to take, in line with their national realities, appropriate measures to ban any dress code that may make it difficult to identify people.” [myad]
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, has said that the Nigerian judicial system is obsolete and needs a complete overhaul in order to ensure quick and inexpensive justice delivery. Justice Mohammed who spoke today in Abuja at the inauguration of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, said: “there is need for an overhaul of the Nigerian Judicial System in order to render it fit for the 21st century circumstances; there is need to ensure that justice is quick and inexpensive. “Litigation has become slow, costly and highly inflating, especially given their complexity, endless interlocutory applications and potential for acrimony.” The ADR centre is an arm of the NICN, which seeks to resolve disputes through a neutral mediator, devoid of litigations, with its agreements upheld as consent judgment. Justice Mohammed commended the NICN’s initiative and vision in instituting an ADR centre, which he noted was the first in the West African sub-region, adding that the centre would ensure swift dispensation of justice without acrimony. “It has now become abundantly clear that ADR offers a more flexible, people-oriented dispute resolution mechanism. “The ADR would help prevent widespread industrial relations crises if given adequate support.” The CJN further urged the NICN to employ capable mediators and build the capacity of the centre’s staff to ensure that the “wheels of justice move more freely.” Justice Mohammed expressed the hope that the centre would be a reference point for affordable and accessible justice for peaceful resolutions. Justice Babatunde Adejumo, the President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, gave the assurance that the centre would ensure adequate resolution of labour related issues. Adejumo said: “One pivotal aim for the centre is to assist parties in dispute to collaborate towards settling their disputes and arriving at a win-win or mutually acceptable agreement in less costly, speedy and efficient manner. “With the establishment of the court’s ADR centre, the court’s mission of an efficient, timely and just system of justice delivery will be further enhanced. “Our goal is to have matters determined within 12 months from the time of filing.” Adejumo said the centre’s headquarters is located in the NICN headquarters in Abuja, with zonal centres in Kano, Gombe, Ibadan, Enugu and Calabar. He said the court was making remarkable progress towards its vision to bring justice delivery to the door steps of the people at minimal cost, inconvenience and delay. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that representatives from the US Embassy, National Assembly, Anambra and Abia State Governments and the Nigerian Bar Association were present at the inauguration. Other guests at the event were the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomole. [myad]
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What Can 2 Billions Dollars Do For Nigeria’s Poor? By Simbo Olorunfemi
If you are not feeling dizzy at this point, I give you kudos. I am lost myself, not knowing where to start, as this was initially about utilising 400 billion naira, but as I can see, we have before us at least a trillion naira that could have been put into good use. The painful bit about this is the impression often given that our problem is that lack of resources, when we all know that is the least of our problems. It is even more annoying that once the talk shifts to doing just a little for the poor, all kinds of pretend-Economists come, daggers-drawn, to tell us how unsustainable such a policy is. They have been lining up to shout down the plan to make the payment of five thousand naira to the most vulnerable among us. Where will the money come from? Giving handout does not make any sense. What can be done with five thousand naira?
Our own Segun Adeniyi derisively dismisses five thousand naira as money for recharge cards. Perhaps it is for him and the privileged class, but it is a lot of money for Bala. The total value of goods in his wheel-barrow is less than two thousand naira, so five thousand cannot be recharge card money, for him. For Mama Efe who sells ‘Boli’ and roasted yam down the road, she will definitely thank God for a monthly five thousand naira to help increase her stock. Chinedu who moves in between cars in traffic, hawking handkerchiefs, understands what five thousand naira can do, seeing that his total stock is valued at less than three thousand naira. He has friends who started out with only a fifty naira bag of sachet water, gotten through credit facility from the distributor. Many of our mothers trade with less than five thousand naira, yet miraculously manage to put food on the table for their families
One of the challenges we have today is not simply that of policy makers being too far away from the people, opinion moulders are sometimes too distant to be able to feel the pulse of the people. Now that some of our Columnists write from the cosy corners of private jets and privileged tables of the high and mighty, it is understandable that they are no longer able to tell what five thousand naira will do for the people at the lowest end of the pool in the informal sector.
Nigeria is definitely not Finland, but it cannot be completely unknown to economics, as often led to believe, that a society will seek to put a bit of cushion at the back of its most vulnerable, as it is being contemplated here, if even today, Finland’s government is drawing up plans to give every one of its citizens a basic monthly income of 800 euros. Some commentators miss the point when they argue that government has no business making that token payment; that it is better for it to concentrate on creating an enabling environment for job and wealth creation. Are we saying the two cannot be done together? Where were the commentators when government bailed out banks and other sectors with trillions of naira from our commonwealth? What is wrong with bailing out the poor? We have not talked about the impact such direct payment will make on the economy of the poor. We have not even considered the sense in the conditional cash transfer that links payment to maternal and child healthcare.
How much does it cost to give children in public schools a meal a day? How much is five thousand naira for the most vulnerable 20 million Nigerians, compared to what has been made away with by a few Nigerians, over the few years? I will rather Nigeria, for once, risks putting a little into the hands of the poor. Let us take $2 billion from what was alleged to have been made away with. At N200 a dollar, that is N400 billion. Now with only N400 billion, we can procure basic health insurance premium from private Health Management Organisations (HMOs) at N20,000 per head for 20 million Nigerians. That way, we would have pulled additional 20 million Nigerians into the health insurance net, assuring them of immediate, regular access to health care, which will make great and immediate impact on the quality of life and productivity in the country.
Can you imagine what N400 billion pumped into the health sector will do to grow that sector? Can you imagine how many thousands of jobs that will be created, how that will put money in the hands of health care workers, hospitals, insurance companies and even the banks, not to talk of its overall effect on the economy? Needless to say that in tackling our social problems, there are a myriad of economic opportunities that can help drive an all-round, inclusive development of the economy.
With N400 billion, we can guarantee 20 million Nigerian children, at N20,000 per head (estimated market price for 2 shots), rotavirus vaccination to protect them against diarrhoea. Now, consider the fact that the vaccine is being administered to children in India for $1 and the opportunities and cost savings that will come as we bulk-purchase on the generic drugs being administered in India, it means we will be able to go beyond rotavirus. We can administer vaccines such as Pneumococcal conjugate, MMR, Meningococcal conjugate, Chicken-pox and others on millions of Nigerian children, who, at the moment, are not immunised against many of these childhood killer diseases, as these vaccines are excluded from the NPI immunisation list.
The children are denied the best start in life, simply because your heroes stole the country blind, will not forget, when tomorrow comes, how their tomorrow was stolen yesterday. Those snoring in their cosy corners today, might be the first victims of a tomorrow, not moulded into shape by the hands in control, today. A token 500 billion naira voted for social investment in 2016 is only an urgent, tiny first step in the direction of pulling up those at the bottom of the pyramid.
Unfortunately, too many people are lost to their party, ethnic and religious affiliations to be able to think clearly. Billions of dollars frittered away mean little to them. N2.1 billion from the commonwealth in the hands of one man, in pretence of running a “multi-media campaign” for a political party is nothing. They are too lost to get it. They cannot see the link between the mismanagement and corruption of yesterday and the exchange rate today. Perhaps when we begin to ask questions from those who claimed to have coordinated the economy only yesterday, we will begin to get somewhere.
Some ask us why we write. We do because we understand how corruption adversely affects us all. We write because it affects us, if not directly, it does indirectly affect us. Soldiers who might have been alive today, looking forward to Christmas died, unnecessarily. Children, who need not die, are dying, due to lack of access to basic healthcare. Yet some are lining up behind those whose actions and inaction led us to where we are. They think that because they can afford the luxuries of life for themselves and their immediate families, all is well. Myopia only takes the fool so far. The children denied the best start in life, simply because your heroes stole the country blind, will not forget, when tomorrow comes, how their tomorrow was stolen yesterday. Those snoring in their cosy corners today, might be the first victims of a tomorrow, not moulded into shape by the hands in control, today. A token 500 billion naira voted for social investment in 2016 is only an urgent, tiny first step in the direction of pulling up those at the bottom of the pyramid.
Simbo Olorunfemi works for a Nigerian Communications Consultancy. [myad]