Women

No Force Can Remove Wike As Gov-Jaja

Published

8 years ago

February 12, 2016

Dr Mietamuno Jaja

Elder (Dr.) Isaac
Mietamuno Jaja is a retired Principal Manager with Central Bank of Nigeria. A financial expert with professional banking experience spanning over three decades. Chairman Steering Committee on Sensitization Campaign on the Redesigned Nigeria Currency Notes and Coins for Rivers and Bayelsa States in 2007, Administrator, Central Bank of Nigeria, Uyo, Management and Financial Consultant, Ex – Chairman, Opobo / Nkoro LGA, member, 8th Governing Council, Rivers State University of Education ( now Ignatius Ajuru), Vice President, Life Power Foundation, Uyo. fellow of several professional bodies, author of many publications and public analyst with passion for good governance. He bared his mind on sundry burning issues in an exclusive interview with The Tide. Execerpts.
As a financial expert, what is your view on the 2016 budget and the economic direction of this government?
Honestly speaking my brother, the economic direction of this government is not very clear to me. I do not know where to start from. I had thought that Mr. President on assumption of office with the change mantra would have engaged professionals, experts and technocrats from any where including political parties to drive the change mantra and move the economy forward in the overall interest of Nigeria. We need all hands on deck no matter the political divide. It is very important we balance academic economic theories with practical experience.
A glance at the budget clearly shows that there is no correlation between the budget fundamentals and the economic diversification policy of the government which is aimed at encouraging local production. We hope the National Assembly will correct the deviation. What is happening in the Capital Market, Foriegn Exchange Market, Value of Naira, sliding oil price and job loss in the economy is worrisome.
Furthermore, the budget to me is not realistic. We need to be realistic by cutting our coat accoding to our cloth. With the oil price budget benchmark of $38 which has dropped to $30, I do not know how the government intends to fund the deficit of N2 trillion. With the free fall in the price of oil, the deficit is bound to increase. What trilled me about the budget is the adoption “zero based budget approach”(ZBB). It is a forward looking apporach opposed to the common method of extrapolating past activities and costs. It is based on cost – benefit analysis which was popularised by President Jimmy Carter in the 70s.
What is your assessment of President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti – corruption drive?
My brother, in banking generally, honesty and integrity are the watch words. My background, training and core value abhor corruption of all shapes in its entirety.The increasing level of barefaced looting of public funds in the name of politics by our politicians whose only political interest is on wealth without work is worrisome in view of its negative impact on our economy .
As an advocate of good governance and leadership accountability, I wholeheartedly support President Muhammadu Buhari’s fight against corruption in all its ramifications. My disagreement is in the area of implementation process and procedure. I am not convinced that he is going about the anti-corruption war the right way.
I have strong reservations on the implementation process, which to me has been consumed and highly driven by political sentiment. I expected implementation process that should promote due process, respect the rule of law and encourage transparency and democratic ethos. What we saw and read in the media is like pronouncing sentence on the accused before trial. The exercise has been- over politicised and can not lead us to anywhere than destroying our eminent international personalities, weaken investors confidence and demarket Nigeria internationally. According to Chief Obafemi Awolowo, “any nation that goes deep into probe – probe business that nation is jeopardising the future of her citizens because it can not get to an end”.
I agree totally with Bishop Matthew Kukah who said,- “I don’t think any Nigerian is in favour of corruption or is against the President’s commitment to ensuring that we turn a new leaf. I think what we are concerned about is process. It is no longer a military regime and under our existing laws everybody is innocent until proven guilty”. For me, breaking the law to enforce the law makes the anti-graft war look more like instrument of witch- hunting and vengance. It looks as if nobody is advising Mr. President correctly.
My dear brother, it is difficult to fight a war you do not understand and win. I had expected government to have taken a comprehensive study of the scope, nature, and enablers of corruption tendencies in Nigeria. This is because most of these corruption cases are system induced. The system creates avoidable gaps that encourage stealing and corruption. No politician can steal without active involvement of career civil servants. This is the reality. Also, a thorough assessment of operational guidelines and procedure of anti-corruption agencies was necessary to reposition them to meet the expectations and aspirations of the current government’s mantra of change of zero tolerance for corruption. Furthermore, a holistic review, synchronise and strengthen relevant corruption extant laws and processes that may encumber judicial processes was needed for a smooth takeoff.
Finally, Government should have embarked on a nationwide society based value reorientation of Nigerian people through enlightenment/sensitisation programme on the negative implications of corruption in national growth and development to gain masses acceptance and buy-in into the vision of zero tolerance for corruption because corruption should be a Nigerian fight and not that of a single political party.
PMB has ordered the probe of some former Service Chiefs and senior military officers over the procurement of arms and equipment for Nigerian Armed Forces essentially regarding the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency in the North East. How do you see the President’s latest move?
Look, you can not question Mr. President’s move in this direction. Do not forget that he is a retired General in Nigerian Army and also one time Nigerian Military Head of State. It is difficult for us to question his security credentials and competence on issues bordering on Armed Forces. In Nigeria, we read political meaning into every action. You see my brother, at top leadership level, there are certain classified information that is available to them that most of us are not privy to know. I think he should be allowed to do his job. Nigerians are waiting.
Crime and criminality soared before, during and after the 2015 general elections in Rivers State, what could have inspired this untoward phenomenon?
That is not true. Do you know I am from Rivers State? I was here before the general elections and was here during the general elections. I voted in Ward Seven (7), Unit fifteen ( 15 ) in Opobo/Nkoro LGA where election was generally adjudged to be peaceful. I am still here after the 2015 general elections. So, what are you talking about soared criminality and soared that? I do not know why you should single out Rivers State when you know too well that 2015 general elections’ tension and fever affected every part of Nigeria in almost equal proportion. You can not stop people from campaigning before election, you cannot stop people during the election from exercising their civil right of vote or expressing wishful thinking neither can you stop those who failed from crying wolf. If this is what you mean by criminality, then, you are wrong because it happened nationwide. But if you are referring to Boko Haram area of North East or the Fulani herdsmen’s criminality along Benue trough you could be right. Certainly not Rivers State.
If you were asked to address politicians of different political persuasion in Rivers State, what would you tell them?
Thank you so much for this question. My advice is very simple and direct. Politics you know, is local and is all about people, we cannot claim to be politicians if we fail to do, what the people want us to do. Our politicians should be people centric and statesmanly in their bid for political relevance. They should eschew bitterness, rancour, and vendetta and close ranks in the interest of the people. It is important to note that power is transient, it will come and go but the state and bond of brotherhood subsist.
Political venture should ordinarily bring progress and put smiles on the faces of our people rather than curses and untold hardship. The increasing needs of our politicians has become greed. You will agree with me that need can be met but greed can not be fulfilled. I have always insisted on politics of selfless service to humanity believing that political success is not necessarily defined by the amount of wealth accumulated without work but about the differences you make in people’s lives.
This is not the time for us to feather our own nests and leave the people hungry and wasted. We should build people and not using people and dump them. According to Einstein, “try not to become a man of success but rather to become a man of value”. We should learn to think Rivers state, act Rivers State and live Rivers State.This remains my advice to politicians.
In your view, how can the youths of Rivers State be properly harnessed to enable them contribute positively to the development of the State?
If you go through the history of political philosophy, you will find out that youths are known to be in the vangard of social development and change. Ironically, this critical group – youths are marginalised in our development process. I am told that building a nation is the hardest task which requires special commitment and team work. We need the combined strength of the youths and the wisdom of the old to function properly. It is time we partner with our youths, engage their idle hands and re-channell their aggresion and restiveness toward meaningful contribution to the growth and development of Rivers State.
We can achieve this through effective massive society based value re-orientation and human capital development programme to redirect and refocus their mindset towards meaningfuls projects. They are bound to falter, but we should be patient with them knowing that youth is the time to learn, experiment, stumble, fall and rise again, the time to play sponge and take life’s lesson.
How would you assess the government of Governor Nyesom Ezebunwo Wike in the past eight months?
My brother, let me tell you the truth because as they say, “truth” is the most powerful force on earth and the only thing we can not change. Chief (Barr) Nyesom Ezebunwo Wike’s intervention in the affairs of Rivers State was apt and timely. A time the state was kept under lock and key and its material wealth frittered in favour of strange men at the expense of the people. A time the once peaceful and serene state wore the toga of the most politically volatile in the history of Nigeria and the leadership style was clearly diametrically opposed to the yeanings of the people.
Governor Wike’s emergence was a devine intervention. He restored hope to the hopeless and gave strength to the weak within the short peroid of less than seven months in office. You see in him a man with zeal and zest to serve his people. In spite of pausity of funds, but with leadership vision and creativity, he took dynamic steps to complete critical infrastructure abandoned by previous government in roads network etc. He promptly paid arrears of several months of salaries owed to civil servants, pension arrears, scholarship arrears and reversed injustice done to the poor and put smiles on the faces of many. Infact, Governor Wike displayed extreme ability to cultivate humanity and promote happiness of all and the good of every River man.
Let me tell you, no force can remove Wike as governor of Rivers State except Almighty God. Even if the election is conducted hundred times, he will win hundred times. Do you know why? He has three attributes that please God. They are strong belief in God, uncommon courage and heart of thanksgiving. Read the accounts of Jehoshaphat, Joshua and David you will see Wike in them. Thses are three divine weapons Wike will use to demolish APC. Take note.
Cont’d on p.24
cont’d from p.23

How do you assess Buhari’s effort in tackling the Boko Haram insurgency?
Well, I am not a security expert but I will use a layman’s assessment to make my opinion. You see, in Economics, there is a theory that “production is not complete until it reaches the final consumer”. As a common man, I will only be satisfied when I am told that President Muhammadu Buhari has ended the challenges of Boko Haram as he promised and 219 adopted Chibok girls returned accordingly. This idea of Boko Haram had been technically and significantly defeated and yet the fact that people are being killed everyday in the North East does not appeal to me. In as much as I commend the effort of government and the military, until we have peaceful North East and return of Chibok girls, it will be difficult to give this government pass mark on insurgency.
What are your view on the stance of the Federal Government on withdrawal of petroleum subsidy ?
Good question. I read in one of the World Bank’s reports couple of years ago, that “99% of Nigeria’s population shares 20% of Nigerian’s resources while 1% shares 80% of Nigeria resources” This was thought- provocating particularly when I read IMF’S Analysis that “40% of fuel subsidies in rich countries go to rich families” This is to say that oil subsidies impoverish the poor and benefit the rich. Perhaps this must have informed the Jonathan administration’s decision to remove oil subsidy. You can see how our income distribution mechanism is deliberately skewed in favour of the rich at the expense of the poor.
Based on this, I support the removal of oil subsidy but with a proviso that Government must ensure equitable and even redistribution of the economic benefits arising therein which should also be seen to tally with the practical living standard experience of the people.A

Women

The Desire Of Every Woman In Marriage

Published

3 weeks ago

April 5, 2024

The Tide

A woman needs a man that is honest, trustworthy, nice, loving and financially stable.
There are no two ways about finance in marriage. No matter the level of love, If there is no money, it is always difficult.

Referring to the Biblical belief in Genesis 3:Your desire shall be unto you……..
That is one aspect the woman expects her husband to take care of.
A woman wants a husband that is not lazy, at least helping to do one or two things. A man that is educated and intelligent.
She knows that there is a trait that her husband has. Traits of taking care of people, giving freely to people and caring for her family.
A woman wants to love a husband that has family interest at heart. A man that spends time with his family, remembering his family even as he is away from home.
A woman should not antagonise her husband because of one error or the other. No matter the level of offence he may have committed, you still show some love.

According to the Scripture, it is with wisdom that the women builds her home.
It is not as if the woman will not monitor her husband, but to certain limit. Don’t be a monitoring spirit. Don’t allow anything to take your joy.
Don’t loose trust in your husband.
The idea of checking your husband’s phone should be discouraged. The more you check your husband and his phone, the more you loose your joy.

The home should not be a battle ground for a woman and man. A woman should be able to ask herself if the check on her husband will pay her any good.
Draw a line to a point where you checkmate your husband’s activities.
A woman wants a man that will love her and telling her you love her will be all she desires.

Eunice Choko-Kayode

Women

What Women Want In Yet-To -Be Husbands

Published

4 weeks ago

March 29, 2024

The Tide

What women want in their yet-to- be husbands matters a lot as far as marriage is concerned.
A woman desires a good fnancial prospect. Interestingly, some modern women place a man’s financial potential as more desirable than they have in the past.
Many decades ago, women ranked it lower on the list. It still comes in after items like love and maturity, but perhaps today’s women realise that a good economic partner is good husband material.
Good health has been an important characteristic for women through the 20th century and remains so these days. One might argue that because we’re living even longer, health plays a huge role in the success of a marriage. Women are anxious to know that their partners are healthy to be able to run the family together.
You discover that in most faith based organisations, would- be couples are mandated to go for medical tests to ascertain their health status as it concerns HIV/AIDS, Genotype and other related ones. This according to stakeholders is to ensure that couples raise healthy families.
Ambition has become less important to women over time, though it still being considered even if women nowadays are thriving in the workforce competing with the male folk. It may be because more women are thriving in the workforce, they want a husband who has earning power but are not looking for him to be the sole provider.
More women want husbands with pleasing disposition. They may not want a man who is always moody. A man who is always cheerful is whom they desire.
Surprisingly, a man’s likes do not rank as high on women’s list of wants as it used to. Until recently, women are more willing to accept a man for who he his, despite the inevitable mood he may be.
Sociability from both men and women rank very high on their marriag material list. And for both sexes, it has been steadily moving up the list for many years. The rise of the “love marriage,” a partnership based on attraction rather than practicalities (like wealth or status) might mean that married couples are more likely to be friends and have mutual circles of friends.
A lot of couples want to associate with others and then socialise. Attending parties of other friends forms part of their marriage requirements.
Women have placed education and intelligence top making it one of their most desirable male traits for decades. This timeline coincides with more and more women receiving college education themselves. Once education becomes important in women’s lives, it is a more attractive trait in potential husbands.
Of course when a woman is educated, she is likely to go for an educated man. When they are gainfully employed, their income boost the family affairs faster.
Today, women are much more attracted to men who are interested in home and family than they ever have been. Men who have desire for their home and children is whom they desire.
After a days job, a man will come home to ensure that his children are comfortable. Because most women today are expecting to be in dual-earner relationships, they want husbands who will be happy and willing to contribute at home. More women today even report that they hope he will take the lead at home.
A woman wants a man who is emotionally stable and mature. Growing big physically is not the issue but maturity in the heart.
Men, too, place a heavy emphasis on a potential wife’s emotional maturity, signaling that it is a key quality for a stable partnership. Women seem to look past appearance to the heart of the matter.
A woman wants a man who is not easily provoked. Dependable character is what some women want in marriage.
Women want husbands that they can count on, and this has not changed in recent years. Yes, women look to their spouses to be lovers and friends, they also want them to be supportive and trustworthy. They want to know that their husbands will be there and remain loyal. Men, too, desire dependable character from their yet-to be wives.
Mutual attraction and love from the first appearance is what they want till they become old.
The highest-rated characteristic women seek from men is mutual attraction and love. Some no longer look for a man who will provide everything, afterall they are also educated and are gainfully employed, they want to be in love.
For some women, even when the man do not provide household needs, the love shown on her is enough. When women had no job prospects and needed to marry, they desired love . The women’s movement has not only helped women pursue careers, it has also given them more choice in love.

Women

Echoes Of IWD : Need To Invest In Women

Published

1 month ago

March 22, 2024

The Tide

As this year’s Internatinal Women’s Day (IWD) has come and gone, there are calls from different quarters on the need to invest in women so that we can achieve accelerated growth.
It was, indeed, a thing of joy when Rivers Women Unite For Sim, took delivery of large quantities of sanitary towels and some bags of rice provided them for this year’s celebration.
Many young women expressed joy that they got such gesture since some of them have financial problems getting sanitary towels whenever they are on.
Some secondary school students were also lucky to have a share of the benefits. They also got some sanitary towels.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Women Affairs organised a platform to celebrate and honour the women for the remarkable jobs they perform in their homes and society.
Addressing women on the occasion, the Hon. Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Roseline Apawari Uranta, noted that women from time immemorial have been great pillars in achieving remarkable heights and stressed that IWD across the globe is pivotal all women for the roles they play in bringing, nurturing and sustaining life.
Dr. Uranta said that IWD, which started in 1911 and celebrated annually on March 8, is a global day that provides women a platform to address economic inclusion, participation in political and public life.
She said the day was set aside to look into lack of access to education for the girl-child, gender-based violence, child marriage, child trafficking, harmful cultural practices as well as other challenges facing women around the globe.
The Hon. Commissioner, who described March 8 as a day to celebrate the socio-economic, cultural and political achievements of women, emphasised that it is a day that offers women the opportunity to reflect on progressive achievements.
Noting that it is an opportunity to call for change, she stressed that it is also an opportunity to celebrate acts of courage and every achievement made by ordinary women who did extraordinary things and are remembered in history.
She noted that the IWD2024 theme:”Invest In Women, Accelerate Progress”, is timely and apt because according to her, to achieve gender equality, we must ensure that the rights, responsibilities and opportunities of women do not elude them.
Her words: ” We must see investing in women as a human right issue and consider investing in women as a social tool to eradicate poverty since women are helpmeet in the homes while a handful are breadwinners in their respective families”.
The commissioner urged women to uphold the deliberate act of investing in themselves, be it furthering formal education, developing a new skill as well as learning a trade.
“Shun idleness, always find something positive and productive to do, regardless of your age, social status and financial capabilities”, she said.
In a paper presentation, Dr. Dabota God’swill Jumbo, reiterated that investing in women would attract good and positive dividends to herself and the society at large and noted that it is essential in addressing poverty, hunger and climate change.
The guest speaker said women need more opportunities in elective and appointive positions, hence the need to encourage and support them in politics.
According to her, when you invest in women, they will be able to create safer environment devoid of gender-based violence.
In a goodwill message, the spokesperson, Rivers Women Unite For Sim, Mrs Charity Deemua appreciated the organisers for making it possible for women to gather and celebrate themselves.
She commended those who created a day like March 8 of every year to celebrate women and regretted that the girl-child was seen as a second-class person decades ago.
The former commissioner, Rivers State House of Assembly Commission, described those who taught it wise for women to celebrate as conquerors, tough and strong.
International Association of World Peace Advocates, a world-class organisation with the United Nations, honoured different categories of women.
In Cross River State, 150 women were empowered with about N15m to boost their small and medium scale businesses.
According to stakeholders, the women empowerment is vital in addressing social, economic and political challenges and will make them self-reliant.
An NGO, Association of Professional Women Engineering Technologists (APWET), said it’s aim is to promote professional excellence among engineering personnel, advocating for women and girl-child education.
With what we saw in terms of response to women’s call on issues affecting them from relevant authorities, we are optimistic that the women will do better whenever they are empowered.
If we must kick out cervical, breast and other forms of cancer in women, underage marriage, prostitution, we must invest in women.
There were goodwill messages from National Council for Women Societies (NCWS), International Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA), Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Nigeria Copyright Commission (NCC, Nigeria Association of Female Journalists (NAWOJ), among others.