Can Fashola really go to jail? Etcetera

This is an article written by Etcetera.

The APC is now being haunted by the saying, “When you point one finger, there are three fingers pointing back at you.”

If it knew, it wouldn’t have accused Goodluck Jonathan of running a very corrupt government. Most times, we forget to listen to the voice of reason that says, “Look in the mirror, brother. You might just be talking about yourself.”
It is now clear that the APC focused on the speck in Jonathan’s eye and ignored the log in their own eyes.” Who would have thought that just few weeks into a new regime in Lagos State, Fashola would be engulfed with the following accusations – Drilling of just two bore holes with N139m, remodelling and equipping of the official residence of the state’s Chief Judge at N510m, reconstructing of a car park with N640m, spending N300m to relocate cables, N175m to replace the railings of a pedestrian bridge, N220m on the facility management of the Lagos State University College of Medicine, N619m on surface repair of a road, N1.2bn on the construction of an unidentified multi-storey building, N1.6bn on the construction of a 48-bedroom hotel.

These things don’t seem like what a person as intelligent as the former governor would do; especially for those of us who regard him as one of the very few bright spots of our democracy. In fact, I am still of the belief that in the annals of corrupt governors in Nigeria, his place remains to be seen. But the question here is, can the Lagos State government come out with such weighty accusations without having evidence to back them up?
 

It was in the papers that “some in the former governor’s circle” are worried he might face charges. If that happens and if he is found guilty and if it results in conviction and if he ends up in prison-yes, four ifs-then considering his achievements in Lagos State, all other former governors from other states (especially the eastern states) should have long since been in jail awaiting his company. But yet again, does any governor go to jail in Nigeria?
 

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Over drinks at a bar around Omole Estate, Ikeja last Monday, a friend who works in one of the ministries at Alausa laughed as he finished off his beer.
 

“Everything’s messed up, and nobody goes to jail,” he said. “Etcetera, that’s your whole article right there. Hell, you don’t even have to write anything more. Just write that.”
 

I put down my phone. “Just that?”
 

“That’s right,” he said, signalling to the waitress for the cheque. “Everything’s messed up, and nobody goes to jail. You can end the piece right there.”
 

Sounds funny but sincerely, “Nobody goes to jail” should be the mantra of our democracy, one that has seen virtually almost every public office holder embroiled in obscene criminal scandals — and nobody went to jail. Nobody, that is, except Alamieyeseigha, and that was probably because of the attention he brought on the nation as a result of his dress sense from the UK. And the Federal Government has apologised for the mistake by granting him full pardon.
 

If Fashola is found guilty of these allegations, he should face the music. That’s the way the system is supposed to work. But a veritable mountain of evidence indicates that when it comes to government officials, the justice system not only buckles at punishing criminals, it has actually evolved into a highly effective mechanism for protecting them.

This institutional reality has absolutely nothing to do with politics or ideology — it takes place no matter who’s in office or which party is in power.

To understand how the machinery functions, you have to look back, at least, at Obasanjo’s time in Aso Rock, as case after case of financial malfeasance was pursued too slowly or not at all. Indeed, the shocking pattern of no enforcement with regard to corrupt public officials is so deeply ingrained in our democracy that it raises a profound and difficult question about the very nature of our society: whether we have created a class of people whose misdeeds are no longer perceived as crimes, almost no matter what those misdeeds are.

The Justice Department has evolved into a bizarre species of social surgeon serving this untouchable class.

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Girls, guys prefer virgins

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Temilolu Okeowo

Dear Temilolu,

You may never know what blessings, what dignity and what power you are imparting even to generations unborn!

Dr. Aiyeola

Dear Aunty Temi,

I enjoy this divine assignment called Girls Club which makes me buy Saturday Punch. If only the editor could give us a page or two, then we can boast of 85.5 per cent male virgins. I often wonder who these female virgins would marry when they are ready to settle down. Would they ever find male virgins if we boys are still under this evil yoke? We need to balance it by creating Boys Club. I’ve read enough in this column, hear us out too. Since God has used you to plant a seed for future girls, plant ours, we shall water it and God will protect it. Aunty Temilolu, if Punch newspaper refuses our request, please tell them we shall publish ours. Thanks.

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Roberts Jnr.

Dear Aunty Temilolu,

I am a regular reader of your articles in Saturday Punch. Though I am a boy, I cherish those write ups so much and I try as much to convey the messages to my female friends. Ma, my main reason for sending you this mail is to know if such a forum could be created for us boys! Keep up the good work. I would be expecting a reply from you.

Michael N.

As a man, I am very proud of this columnist and the precious ministry she disseminates through this column. How I wish all single young women earnestly embrace the tenets of chastity and purity she preaches. A woman’s worth and value flows directly from her sexual purity. As a successful and well established Nigerian-American male domiciled in the US, my Nigerian (maternal) side of the family often wonder why I refuse to marry one of the many beautiful females available to me. I simply tell ‘em I’m only interested in a woman with her virtues intact. I cannot consider a woman who has given her virtues to another man (or men) as my wife. Such a woman belongs to those men she has given or sold herself to. Chaste, pure and virtuous women are rare and are of exceptional spiritual value and inestimable esteem. Simply priceless! If I find such a jewel to marry, I would honour and value her more than all the money in the world. It is so sad that most women freely give away this their precious pearls. So very sad.

Brandon Landry

My darling, precious, glorious, dignified, world-famous and heavenly celebrated Nigerian sisters,

I marvel at the mindset of most of you which is that the major way to win the heart of a man is by your beauty and sexuality. No doubt, to keep her home, a married woman must look good and satisfy her husband sexually and in every other way God expects. However, any unmarried lady carrying her beauty and sexuality on her head and using that as a weapon to win a man’s heart is not only very foolish but on her way to the depths of despair. You must always have it in mind that men have a short attention span and no matter how beautiful and sexy you are, they will always find someone more exciting than you.

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” Proverbs 31:30 (NIV)

A lady who keeps herself till her wedding night would remain her husband’s trophy for life. No matter how bad and way-ward that man is, deep inside he would always cherish what he has and have great respect for her. He knows her spiritual worth because she is the angel who would assist his destiny and forever an asset to him and his generation.

God is faithful to those who are faithful to Him. If you decide today to change your ways and remain chaste till your wedding night, as long as you maintain a close relationship with God and preach chastity to others, He is committed to giving you an excellent and equally chaste husband!

To be continued.

Dear fans of Girls Club,

Are you still engaging in pre-marital sex? Each act devalues you! Your wonders are waiting to start. God is waiting for you to become a Secondary virgin! You are most welcome on board the chastity campaign train and Girls Club is open for all girls and ladies. Please text your name, age, school or occupation and State of domicile to 07086620576.

The Girls Club of Nigeria is aimed at influencing a positive change in the female folk and re-orientating the Nigerian girl. Amongst other things, to promote and enhance the development of girls by instilling a sense of self-worth, competence, usefulness, belonging and influence while of course restoring traditional moral values and encouraging the girls to toe the paths of righteousness. If this generation can make amends, the next generation will come out clean. Don’t you think so? I love you all and I think you are all wonderful sisters!

For more inspiring articles and prayers against sexual perversion (masturbation, lesbianism, addiction to pornography and immoral thoughts etc.) prayers against ungodly soul-ties and prayers for recovery of virtues please visit my blog www.temiloluokeowo.wordpress.com

twitter@temiloluokeowo

Dear girls,

As designed by God, your virginity is the bedrock of your destiny. It is your spiritual beauty. It carries the star, potential and talent which God created with you to make you unique. It is the star in your sky. Please don’t pollute your destiny. The world is waiting for your star to shine! Your curiosity about sex and the way your body feels is normal. However, there’s so much you need to know which may eventually condition your mind and calm your desires. For now, DON’T dabble into it please.

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Read Buhari's article posted on Washington post today, affirms Ministers will be appointed in September

Ahead of his visit to President Obama today, President Buhari wrote an article for the Washington Post titled 'Nigeria committed to good governance and fighting terror" where he datiled what he has done so far and what he plans to do towards the fight against Boko Haram and corruption. He also affirmed that his Ministers will be appointed in September.  Full text of the op-ed after the cut...


This month, the world moved a step closer to the defeat of Boko Haram, the jihadist group that has terrorized hundreds of thousands in the northern states of Nigeria. In one of my first acts since taking office as president six weeks ago, I have replaced the heads of Nigeria’s army, navy and air force. Our new military leadership has not been chosen because of their familiarity with those in government, as was too often the case in the past, but on their track records and qualifications alone.
These new military leaders will be based in Borno State in northern Nigeria, where the headquarters of the armed services has been relocated. This shift of resources and command directly to the front line, in addition to the replacement of the head of the State Security Service, Nigeria’s intelligence organization, and a new emphasis on working in partnership with our neighbors, has equipped us to take the fight directly to Boko Haram.

Already we are beginning to see a degrading of Boko Haram’s capabilities as a fighting force. In recent weeks, it appears to have shifted away from confronting the military directly to an increase in attacks on civilian areas, as we saw only last week when an elderly woman and 10-year-old girl blew themselves up at a Muslim prayer gathering in northeastern Nigeria. We should not be confused by this change, hateful as it is: It does not mean that Boko Haram is succeeding in its aims — it shows that it is losing.

While we work to defeat the terrorists, I ask the people of Nigeria and the world for resolve and fortitude. The campaign we will wage will not be easy; it may not be swift. We should expect stages of success and also moments when it may appear that our advances have been checked. But no one should have any doubt as to the strength of our collective will or my commitment to rid this nation of terror and bring back peace and normalcy to all affected areas.

Similarly, my determination should not be underestimated in other matters. This includes instilling good governance and tackling the scourge of corruption that has held Nigeria back for too long.

As I meet with President Obama today — the first time a president of the United States will encounter a Nigerian counterpart following the peaceful transfer of power in a contested election in our history — I will be discussing my plans for critical reforms. So, too, will I discuss why the formation of my administration is taking time and, crucially, why it must. Already there are voices saying these changes are taking too long — even though only six weeks have passed since my inauguration. I hear such calls, but this task cannot and should not be rushed.

When cabinet ministers are appointed in September, it will be some months after I took the oath of office. It is worth noting that Obama himself did not have his full Cabinet in place for several months after first taking office; the United States did not cease to function in the interim. In Nigeria’s case, it would neither be prudent nor serve the interests of sound government to have made these appointments immediately on my elevation to the presidency; instead, Nigeria must first put new rules of conduct and good governance in place.

I cannot stress how important it is to ensure that this process is carried out correctly, just as it has been crucial to first install the correct leadership of the military and security services before we fully take the fight to Boko Haram.

There are too few examples in the history of Nigeria since independence where it can be said that good management and governance were instituted at a national level. This lack of a governance framework has allowed many of those in charge, devoid of any real checks and balances, to plunder. The fact that I now seek Obama’s assistance in locating and returning $150 billion in funds stolen in the past decade and held in foreign bank accounts on behalf of former, corrupt officials is testament to how badly Nigeria has been run. This way of conducting our affairs cannot continue.

Indeed, the failure of governance, it can be argued, has been as much a factor in Nigeria’s inability thus far to defeat Boko Haram as have been issues with the military campaign itself.

So the path we must take is simple, even if it is not easy: First, instill rules and good governance; second, install officials who are experienced and capable of managing state agencies and ministries; and third, seek to recover funds stolen under previous regimes so that this money can be invested in Nigeria for the benefit of all of our citizens.

We seek the support and partnership of the United States in these tasks. The importance of the fight against terrorism and corruption in Nigeria, Africa’s most powerful economy and largest populace, cannot be underestimated. Our allies can provide much-needed military training and intelligence as our soldiers take the war effort to Boko Haram. Similarly, we look to U.S. businesses as well as the Obama administration to help develop governance initiatives that can ensure that Nigeria’s wealth benefits all its people, not just a few. By taking these steps, we will be positioned to benefit from increased investment — particularly in energy and electricity — from the United States.

I was elected on a platform of change. I know this is what the people of Nigeria desire more than anything else. I know they are impatient for action. I realize the world waits to see evidence that my administration will be different from all those that came before. Yet reforming my country after so many years of abuse cannot be achieved overnight. In our campaigns against both Boko Haram and corruption, we should remain steadfast and remember, as it is said: “Have patience. All things become difficult before they become easy.”

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Is Buhari already confused? Etcetera asks in new article

Singer and writer Etcetera writes on Pres. Buhari and the few weeks he's spent in office as president. Read below...

If there is any group of individuals who can manufacture shock, political punditry out of nothing, it is the All Progressives Congress. They cried out that Jonathan was doing a terrible job as President of Nigeria. They said his inability to run the Federal Government is the reason our country has lapsed into wholesale chaos. He is the reason corruption decimated our population, turned brother against brother. He is the reason our military became weak and our borders constantly breached by Niger, Chad and Cameroonian gendarmes.

 He is the reason our cities have all lost power and we have reclined back into the dark ages. He is the reason why thousands of wild dogs/Boko Haram roam our streets and rip our children apart. With democracy being an institution where we worry about how many people ‘agree’ about certain things, APC must be concerned that Nigerians are actually seeing that Buhari is not the messiah we need. When I wrote that Nigerians shouldn’t celebrate Buhari yet, a lot of his sympathisers reached for my scalp with all types of derogatory vocabularies. 

Now, just a couple of days into his regime and even before the flag is hoisted up the pole, the same people have started singing the same old song that he is too slow. Just like in the time of Jonathan. Why am I not surprised? When I talked about Buhari’s age, they said presiding over the affairs of a country is different from being a bricklayer. Why is Buhari now wishing he was younger? What has “changed” him? Didn’t he know his age before “borrowing” money to acquire the form to contest for president?

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Listening to APC and President Buhari’s excuses of just being in government for only few weeks is like watching a doctor on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ pounding on a patient’s chest until another doctor has to pull him off and say, ‘Sir it’s over!’ That’s what I want to say to President Buhari. Sir, it’s over! We are tired of having president with excuses. You didn’t give us these excuses in any of your campaign speeches. Nigerians, it’s time to move on! There will be other disasters. There will always be presidents with excuses.

The president will cut down the cost of governance. He won’t have as many ministers and advisers like Jonathan. How is approving the appointments of two media aides with the same job description cutting down the cost of governance? What is the difference between a Senior Special Assistant (Media and Publicity) and a Special Adviser (Media and Publicity)?

The issue of applying the rule of law in certain matters of state that demands immediate and urgent attention is not why we voted for Buhari. For Christ’s sake, the country is in dire straits. We are in desperate times as a country and as such, the streets won’t accept these excuses. President Buhari shouldn’t be telling Nigerians that he met an empty treasury. We want to hear of measures his government is taking to recover the stolen funds. This government seems overwhelmed and confused already like what we’ve had in the past.

He should also understand that not having his cabinet in place at this point in time is dangerous. President Buhari should know that he can’t govern this country alone. It will take all hands on deck to get this country back on track. He cannot be the president and the minister of defence and petroleum all by himself. He can’t be at different places at the same time. Being the president of a huge country like Nigeria is different from being the managing director of a business.

One does not “run” the Federal Government. You can run a train and you can run your own small business, but the Federal Government of Nigeria is bigger than the largest enterprises of this world.

Equating any portion of the Federal Government to a business stretches the meaning of metaphor. No business is attacked by other countries or has to deliberately kill people, or has a board of 469 National Assembly members, majority of which are trying to bankrupt the company in order to make the CEO look bad, nor does any company operate within transparency of allowing thousands of journalists to pore over their affairs, or carry your opponent’s opinions as if they were facts, or react to hundreds of lawsuits per day from its own employees, or thousands of lawsuits per day from third parties. No private company is responsible for accomplishing its mission within tens of thousands of laws that deliberately operate against its efficiency.

No private company has a board that authorises spending via commitment of financial resources and then separately approves their payment or its equivalent debt. No business operates from the need to pass legislation in order to change direction, or to accomplish its primary objectives, (environmental safety, energy independence, internet security, university research, election compliance, full employment policies, taxation reform, anti-terrorism, healthcare reform, and intelligence gathering). No organisation has the responsibility to send soldiers to defend its allies or be responsive to the impact that changed laws, policies, and tax provisions have upon other nations, friend and foe alike. And finally, no organisation is responsible for administration and enforcement of tens of thousands of laws, rules, and regulations against millions of separate entities.

Is President Buhari capable of providing direction, implementing a NASS approved budget, prioritising and recommending budget changes, negotiating legislation, submitting qualified candidates for the courts, appointing and supervising staff and cabinet members, including the joint chiefs of the military, and effectively communicating volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous issues to the Nigerian public? Absolutely, NO!

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