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Tag: Francis Ewherido

  • Nwoko’s diatribe against Oborevwori – By Francis Ewherido

    Nwoko’s diatribe against Oborevwori – By Francis Ewherido

    I heard Sen. Ned Nwoko’s name for the first time when he was in the House of Representatives between 1999 to 2003. Thereafter, I saw him twice. The first time was when I joined others to protest to INEC office in Asaba in respect of his “stolen” mandate in 2011. He had contested on the platform of the Democratic People’s Party (DPP) to represent Delta North Senatorial District in the Senate. The second time was on June 6, 2011 during the inauguration of the seventh senate. He was one of the guests in the red chamber. I also followed a friend to his house in Abuja once, but he was not home.

    I have always seen him as an experienced politician and I still do. He has been in the news recently for two reasons: The first is his agitation for the creation of Anioma State. The rest of Delta State is calm about it because it is a legitimate and old agitation. The only opposition is coming from some people within the proposed Anioma State who do not want to be part of it.

    The second was his recent statement and demeanour when he met with some of his constituents. He briefed them about the Okpai Independent Power Project and the Ogwashi Uku Dam. He said he has discussed the power project with the Minister for Budget and National Planning and he assured him that the project will be included in the 2025 budget. But he is impatient to wait till then, so he claimed he approached the Delta State Governor, Elder Sheriff Oborevwori to “pay” for the immediate commencement of the project, but the governor said there is no money. He then said he can attract companies to fund the project, but the governor should give the go ahead.

    While I concede that the project is important especially to Delta North, I did not understand why he wants to drag Delta State into a project that is a joint venture between the federal government and private companies. He already has an understanding with the minister to put the project in the 2025 budget, why not also tell the federal government to give the go ahead? Where the governor to accept, which I find absurd, he has to get a budget for it and get the approval of the state house of assembly. As a senator, he should do that at the federal level.

    I was disappointed when I watched the video. He had a private meeting with the governor and he was telling the constituents what transpired in a private meeting while being recorded. What is intention of the distinguished senator? To cast the governor in bad light and turn his constituents against him? He is sowing seeds of political discord which is dangerous in Delta State and inimical to him politically.

    He talked about the huge disparity between projects going on the Delta North and the other senatorial districts. Truth be told, the immediate past governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, focussed heavily on Delta North to the detriment of the other senatorial districts. The projects in Delta Central and Delta South that Nwoko is referring to are projects either the government of Dr. Emmanuel Uduguan or Sen. Okowa should have done but failed to do.

    What prompted me to write this article was his reference to the ongoing flyovers in Effurun-Warri axis. The distinguished senator talked about to ongoing projects in Delta Central and Delta South in what I felt was a sarcastic and demeaning tone. It is true that one of the flyovers is by the junction leading to Osubi, Governor Oborevwori’s hometown, but I need to elaborate. Osubi hosts the first airport in Delta State after the airstrip was relocated from Effurun and upgraded to an airport. Many people – Deltans and non-Deltans – have missed their flights because of the gridlock at that junction.

    The gridlock can be so bad that sometimes, it takes you two hours between DSC Roundabout and Effurun Roundabout, a journey of a minute if there is no traffic. When there is traffic everyone is trapped including travellers going to or coming from Bayelsa and Rivers State. So, this flyover is a real solution provider, not just a project sited near the governor’s town. In newspaper articles I had urged the Delta State Government to construct this flyover during the Uduaghan and Okowa time.

    The other flyover is the Enerhen Junction flyover. About 43 years ago, my father walked home at about 8pm. We had been expecting him since 6pm.When we saw him, we thought his car broke down but he said he had been in the gridlock which started from Enerhen Junction and stretched all the way into Udu Road. My father parked his car at some point and walked home through short routes. He went back after 11pm to bring his car home. This flyover being constructed is near the boundary of Warri and Effurun, so it is very strategic to the two senatorial districts. Renovation of the Warri Stadium and completion the road to Ode Itsekiri are overdue, but let me stop here.

    Senator Nwoko’s outburst is misleading. These projects are meant to provide solutions to problems that have been there for the last 30 to 50 years and more. Enerhen junction flyover specifically is a project the that should have been done during military era. The internally generated revenue from Warri and Effurun could have funded the project and transformed the axis, but the military was not interested in developing the area. Warri and Effurun are cities where Deltans and non-Deltans live. Their problems affect all, just as all benefits from solutions to the problems.

    There is absolutely nothing wrong if the governor pays attention to this axis. Warri, stretching to Effurun, used to be second major city in Bendel State after Benin. Over the years, it deteriorated. Successive governments did not carry out the total urban renewal that it needed. The governor is simply starting what his predecessors from the military era should have done.

    I have never had any problem with any part of Delta being developed. I remember writing an article titled: “What is Urhobo interest…” I said anywhere being developed in Delta State is in the interest of Urhobo as long as Urhobo people live there, have interest there or use the infrastructure there. I never had problems with Okowa developing Delta North. Where I had problem with Okowa’s government was the neglect of Delta Central. It was too apparent and painful. Delta North could have been developed without neglecting Delta Central or Delta South. But I am not one to deny people their flowers. I was pleasantly surprised and happy when Okowa awarded a contract for the construction of Ewhu-Orere Bridge. Ewhu is my hometown while I have maternal relatives in Orere. Orere town is named after the first son of Ewhu, the co-founder of my town. Incidentally, my father was the first principal of Orere Grammar School, but I have never been there because it is not accessible by road. Senator Okowa, please take your flowers for the bridge. When it is completed in December 2025, as the Delta State Commissioner for Works, Highways and Urban Roads, Comrade Reuben Izeze, assured me, I will step my feet on Orere for the first time.

    On the Ogwashi Uku Dam, which Sen Nwoko also mentioned, I heard about it over 25 years ago. Since then, military governors/administrators have come and gone. Four civilian governors, including Dr. Okowa, who hails from Delta North, have been there and did nothing about the dam. Why is the distinguished senator dragging a governor who is barely a year on the seat, in respect of the dam? Work is still ongoing on projects that were not completed in Delta North by Okowa’s government, while new ones are being started. Is it only when jobs Nwoko wants are done that he will acknowledge the works of the Delta State Government in Delta North.

    The distinguished senator has the capacity and should emulate the former senator representing Delta Central, HE Ovie Omo-Agege, who attracted projects to Delta Central from the federal government. Maybe he did, but I can’t remember Agege petering Okowa to execute any project in Delta Central. Agege even attracted projects to Delta North, which Nwoko currently represents. Delta North has nine state legislators who should be attracting projects to their constituencies, while Nwoko concentrates on attracting federal government projects to Delta North. Delta North and indeed Delta State can do with more federal presence.

     

    Francis Ewherido is a Newsguru columnist

  • As schools resume – By Francis Ewherido

    As schools resume – By Francis Ewherido

    Many schools, especially primary and secondary schools, resumed from their long holiday this week. Tertiary institutions will follow shortly. For parents whose children are in government-owned schools, their yoke is comparatively lighter because the school bills of government-owned institutions are substantially lower than those of privately-owned institutions. Some parents are carrying yokes that are products of personal decisions. The implication is that it is also within their powers to lessen their burdens.

    Some parents choose to send their children to private schools because they feel they are better run; the environment is more conducive for learning and the standard of teaching is better. Some simply send their children to private schools as a status symbol, while some do it because they want the “best” for their children. We shall come back shortly to look at primary education, secondary education and tertiary institutions. But before then the reality is that the current economy situation has worsened the economic status of many parents. Some of them will not be able to pay their children’s fees in the private schools they are attending this session. So, what should they do? Borrow to pay the fees? Who will even lend you money to pay school fees? Even if you manage to get someone to lend you, how do you repay? What happens in second term?

    This is no time to compete with your neighbour or worry about what people will think. Simply take a decision that suits your current financial realities. You need your peace of mind. Make a decision based on what you can sustain on the long run because children’s education is a marathon, not a sprint. If you cannot sustain paying any school fees on the long run, please change your children’s school to what you can sustain. There is no need to raise your blood pressure and risk having a stroke because children’s school fees. Only the living, healthy and capable can continue to pay children’s fees. Commit class suicide, if you must, instead of dying.

    If it is primary school and you cannot afford keeping your children in a private school any longer, look for a suitable government-owned primary school. There are some that are well run and for your information, majority of Nigeria’s future generation are in government-owned primary schools. It is not written anywhere that products from private schools will do better than those who finished from government-owned schools in future. I always emphasise on nature and nurture. “Nature refers to innate biological factors, such as genetics, while nurture refers to external factors such as upbringing, life experiences, and learning.” Both play a role in what these children will ultimately become. Science is not yet conclusive on which plays a greater role. Ultimately God plays a major role in the affairs of men. That is why He is supreme over men.

    An averagely educated parent can go through the books of his/her children in government-owned primary schools and augment whatever they are taught and also help out with school assignments and the curricula. Where I have problems are parents who cannot afford high private schools fees and have no time to do homework and mentor their children. What exactly do you do with your time? If you don’t have money to put your children in private schools, you should have time to tutor and mentor them. Even those whose children are in the best schools do.

    Having said that, states and local governments need to improve on the quality and learning environment in government-owned primary schools. We have classes with leaky roofs, inadequate or absence of chairs and desks, inadequate teachers, unqualified teachers, etc. In Urhobo, we have a saying that ose j’ohwo (a concubine [they are called side chicks these days] is not a wife, but she is also a woman). The children from less privileged homes deserve a reasonable level of good education. They should not be denied. The irony of our case is that many of these people who are neglecting government-owned schools went to government-owned schools. I attended government schools all the way from primary school to the university. Let us remember our days of humble beginnings.

    My knowledge of secondary schools owned by government is limited, but in Lagos I noticed that there has been a continuous upgrade in the state-owned secondary schools’ infrastructure in the past 20 years now. The buildings are being renovated with additional buildings constructed. I also know teachers in government secondary schools who are good. I will gladly have them as my children’s school teachers, but my knowledge of the secondary school system in Lagos is too limited for me to make any general judgement.

    These days, many secondary school students have access to internet. Internet exposes people to a whole body of knowledge. For me any well-guided or focussed student should use the internet to increase his knowledge of the subjects he/she is taking and other areas of study/interests. I keep saying it; students these days are lucky with the availability of internet. Information gathering in our time was tedious and sometimes frustrating. A mischievous student who wanted to monopolise a book, when we were in the university, could take the book from the mass communication shelf and hide it in physics shelf for as long as he wished. Other intending users would get stuck in their research projects or term papers. Internet has flung open the doors of knowledge and such selfishness is no longer possible. Today’s students have better opportunities to excel in whatever school (private or public) they attend.

    Still on universities, I have been following the results of the Nigerian Law School bar exams. If we are to go by the results only, privately-owned universities have no advantage over government owned-universities in academics. Of course, there are some areas where some private universities are strong and the same applies to government-owned universities. Some universities have established a reputation in some courses, but the quality and determination of individual students also count

    The only major advantage private universities have over government-owned universities is stability and certainty in the education calendar. If government puts its act together and eliminates disruption in the university calendar, government-owned universities will have also stability. Then parents without the financial capacity will not be forced to send their children to privately-owned universities. Private universities are for students whose parents have the financial muscles. Currently some parents whose children are in private universities breathe heavily everyday like people who just finished running a marathon in an effort to raise money to pay school fees.

    The fees in Nigerian government-owned universities among among the lowest in the world. The fees of Federal government-owned universities are even lower than those of state-owned universities. If you cannot afford to send your child to a federal university or a university abroad, ensure he studies hard to get into a government-owned university. In addition, students should choose universities near home to reduce transportation fare and/or save money that should have gone into hostel accommodation. If you live in Lagos and Benin, for instance, choose the University of Lagos or the University Benin and spare your parents the additional cost in accommodation on campus.

  • Open defecation is a no-no – By Francis Ewherido

    Open defecation is a no-no – By Francis Ewherido

    I saw people defecating openly when I came to Lagos in the 80s. The stretch when approaching Carter Bridge from Osborne, Ikoyi, was most notorious. I remember when I was working in Victoria Island from 1990-1996, it was my regular route home. Each time I was passing, I would look around whether the occupants of the other vehicles were foreigners. Of course, some were. It was a real shame of a city and it remains so till date. The stretch was also notorious for traffic gridlocks caused by impatient motorists who formed multiple lanes to get into the two lanes that connect traffic to Carter Bridge. I heard (I was not there o!) of a woman who was caught up in the traffic. She saw a guy on the median defecating. But what attracted her was the guy’s monster penis dangling menacingly and “invitingly” at her. But for the fact that she was chauffeur-driven, she would have come down to give the guy her contact!

    I have discussed this topic twice or three times on this column. It is something I find nauseating and unacceptable, but let’s be honest. Open defecation was a way of life for many people, especially those who grew up in the villages because they had no proper toilet facilities. My gut feeling tells me that the practice still subsists in villages. I did not grow up in the village, so it is something I am not used to, but in one of the two secondary schools I attended, we used to go to the bush to defecate for the two reasons: One, some students innocently or deliberately defecated on the toilet floor to antagonise the students who washed the toilets. So, using the toilet was a put-off. Two, for people like me who were not used to open defecation in the bush, it was a new experience, a freedom and liberation we found refreshing.

    But those were the days of ignorance? Maybe or maybe not. We were taught even in primary school that open defecation can cause air- and water-borne diseases like cholera, dysentery, typhoid, intestinal worms, amongst others. Maybe we used the knowledge to enable us pass our exams, not to be applied in our daily lives. But this is 2024. Whether in the city or villages, there should be no place for such practices anymore.

    For some time now, I have been traumatised by open defecation on the median of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, especially the Lagos and Ogun State portions. I wondered why both governments allowed this obnoxious practice to fester. I was therefore very relieved when I read that the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency and the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency held a public sensitisation programme aimed at ending open defecation along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. I welcome it wholeheartedly. The sensitisation and enforcement should not be one-off. They must be unrelenting and sustained. They also need to come up with measures to carry out a 24-hour surveillance. Putting CCTV on the stretch is an option to be considered. If not, the gains will be short-lived.

    Defecating on the median has gone on for too long and become a habit. Stopping it is going to be difficult. The signs are already there. I read a report of someone defecating on the median. He was one of about 40 people arrested. He resisted arrest and even inflicted injuries on the Lagos State Government official before he was overpowered. This is the danger of allowing wrongdoings to fester. It is going to take a while to rid Lagos of open defecation. We have it in Oshodi, Lagos-Badagry Expressway and other spots.

    Some people have suggested building public toilets as a way out. I totally support it, but is it going to be free service or users have to pay? Many people would rather defecate openly than spend a kobo to use public toilets. The behaviour is entrenched and it is going to be a long walk. But it is a task that must be accomplished. Apart from Mumbai and Chennai in India, and it is not brazen and widespread like Lagos, I have not seen open defecation in any mega city outside Africa. Some people blame overcrowding and homelessness for open defecation in Lagos. I beg to disagree. Open defecation is just a bad habit that has refused to go. There is homelessness in New York, London and other major cities in Europe and America, but no one dares to brazenly defecate openly because the culprit can go to jail or pay a heavy fine.

    I have had the need to use toilets a few times while in transit. I simply look for a bank, eatery or other corporate offices and I have never been denied. Even petrol stations oblige me. It is just that I have never seen a well-maintained toilet in a petrol station. That includes these new and beautiful petrol stations. I guess that their problem is that they do no have cleaners 24/7. You cannot keep a public toilet clean unless you have permanent cleaners on hand.

    Let me wrap up with open defecation’s younger brother, indiscriminate urinating. It is another problem we need to tackle. It is not done in the Western world and if you want to be like them in environmental cleanliness, you have to pay attention to these little details. Long ago, I saw a young man about to urinate in the drain in front of my house. I told him he couldn’t urinate there. He moved to another spot; I repeated what I told him earlier. In exasperation, he said, “na gutter I want piss put. I nor want shit.” He moved to my neighbour’s. At that point, I knew we were on different wavelengths and decided not push further.

    Another time, one woman stood where I wanted to park. I was still wondering if she was blind. Like a movie scene, she pulled down her trousers, bared her massive bum and squatted by the open drain. The next thing I heard was “shruuuu.” It is a very busy road. In embarrassment, I closed my eyes until the noise stopped. When I opened my eyes, she had pulled up her trousers and was walking away nonchalantly. For me that was beyond limit. I remember another incident in Warri in the 80s. A woman came into the compound. I was expecting a knock on the door, but when she went pass our entrance, I decided to find out what she was looking for. I was stopped by the sound of “shruuuu.” She could simply have asked to use our toilet, but she was at least more honourable than the other lady.

    I avoid indiscriminate urinating by using the toilet before leaving the house and using the toilet before departing from wherever I go to. If I get caught up in a “wicked” traffic, I look for banks, eateries, insurance companies, other corporate organisations offices and petrol stations. I have never been denied use of their toilet facilities. The only time I urinate indiscriminately are long-distance travels like Delta to Lagos, if we did not stop at eateries, I ease myself at stops at police checkpoints. But that too is not good. I have travelled long distances abroad. There were stopover places where we used the toilet facilities.

    Some people reading this might be feeling that I live in the moon. There’s hunger in the land, fuel scarcity, insecurity, kidnapping and many other major problems. How can indiscriminate urinating be an issue? One of my beliefs in life is that he who is not faithful in little things cannot be faithful in bigger things.  I believe that ignoring little things is one of the reasons why we are where we are today in Nigeria.

  • Still on university entry age requirement – By Francis Ewherido

    Still on university entry age requirement – By Francis Ewherido

    For the second time in three months, the issue of the minimum age for entry into Nigerian Universities has come up. The Minister of Education, Prof Mamman Tahir first raised the issue earlier this year. He directed the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), not to allow students below 18 years to write the JAMB Exam. After uproar from critical stakeholders following his pronouncement, he had a change of mind and said they can now write the exam for one year only. In subsequent years, the 18 years minimum age rule will apply. I shared my opinion then: (University entry age is about nature and nurture – By Francis Ewherido (thenewsguru.ng).

    But I am revisiting the issue because the minister has also revisited the issue. The new directive says that students enrolling to write the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations, West African Examination Council (WAEC) SSCE in addition to JAMB Exam must be at least 18

    These are the arguments by Prof. Tahir, as captured by Vanguard Newspaper and my thoughts: “He noted that the 18-year benchmark is in line with the 6-3-3-4 system of education.” I only found that out recently. In the early 80s when I wrote JAMB Exam, each university fixed the age limit for entry. The University of Nigeria, Nsukka, my alma mater was 16 years. UNN was firm on it and a student who entered at 15 years was later expelled when the authorities found out. In a federal system of government, the ministry can make broad rules and leave details to the universities, some of which are owned by the state governments and private institutions/individuals. The excessive regulation from the federal level is not good for a federal system of government and our democracy.

    Prof Tahir said: ‘The minimum age of entry into the university is 18, but we have seen students who are 15, 16 years going in for the entrance examination. Parents should be encouraged not to push their wards too much. Mostly, it is the pressure of parents that is causing this.’ I agree totally with the minister that children should not be rushed through school. I have problems with some parents. They will lie, forge documents and commit all kinds of illegalities just to push their children through the university. Some of these graduates have their degree certificates, but you cannot vouch that they ‘have been found worthy both in character and learning.’ Some cannot write an application letter for a job. Some of them would make you weep for the situation in our education. But we must learn to separate the grains from the chaff. We cannot throw away the baby with the bath water. That is injustice to the grains and the baby.

    The minister also said ‘we are going to look at this development because the candidates are too young to understand what the whole university education is all about. This is the period when children migrate from controlled to uncontrolled environment; when they are in charge of their own affairs. My thought: I disagree with the minister here. Yes, there are some children who will be too young and unprepared for the university environment. But there are also parents who have groomed their children and prepared them for university education at age 16. It is a combination of nature and nurture and not age only as I argued in my last article on this issue. Because these parents have groomed and prepared their children for this transition, it becomes easy. Some parents prepare their children for an independent life from age 12. By age 16, they can manage their lives without physical parental presence. A friend sent all his three children to Canada at age 16. They have all graduated and turned out very well. Some parents laid a firm foundation at the early stages of their children’s lives. The children went to boarding schools and became independent while in secondary school.

    Specially gifted children are another sticking point. The minister confessed that the case has not been tackled yet. Nigeria has always had policies where excellence is sacrificed for mediocrity. We have it in quota system where excellence is sacrificed for mediocrity. I have no problems with making special arrangements for the less gifted and vulnerable in our society. Where I have issues is where excellence is sacrificed. Protagonists are quick to name countries where students do not go into the university until they are 17 or 18 years and above. But they conveniently fail to tell us that these countries also have measures in place to fast track the education of geniuses and specially-gifted children. We read stories of students who graduated at age 14 in the US and the UK. Such provisions are currently absent in Nigeria. Now we want to stunt the academic growth of our specially gifted children further by pegging their age of entering the university at 18. That is retrogressive.

    No one has shown me any empirical evidence of how the entry age of 16 years adversely affect the development of the students and the advantages those who entered at 18 years and above have. I have people who entered the university at 16 since the 80s and those who entered at an older age. The outcome is mixed, with the students’ level of intelligence, focus, hard work, family background, among other factors playing major roles in their success or otherwise.

    The National President of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, called for obedience of the rules and regulations guiding activities in the university sector. “Let parents do the needful by putting their wards in school at six years old. The children would be emotionally mature by 18 when they get to higher institutions. 

    When Osodeke was asked what would become of gifted children, he said ‘the number in that category is not high.’ That response is very disappointing for me. So even if it’s one gifted child, he should be sacrificed for one million average students? I know in law, there is a common saying that it is better for thousands of criminals to roam free than one innocent person to be behind bars wrongfully. That obviously does not apply to our gifted students. Sad!

    Findings show that the law setting up JAMB is silent on the issue of age. It is the Senate of a university that spells out guidelines on admission to the various departments and faculties and most universities agree to 16 years as admission age for new intakes.

    According to the JAMB Act 1989, which spells out the functions of the Board, Education Minister and others, the minister has the right to give directives to the body.

    Schedule A section C said it is the duty of the Board to place suitably qualified candidates in tertiary institutions in collaboration with the institutions.

    However, Schedule 2 says “Subject to the provision of this Act, the Minister may give the Board directives of a general character or relating generally to particular matters with regards to the exercise by the Board of its functions under this Act and it shall be the duty of the Board to comply with such directives.”

    From the above, the minister is in order, but he needs to tread carefully in implementing this rule. Implementing the 18 years rule will be very disruptive and lead to avoidable crisis. A country already grappling with teenagers involved in kidnapping, internet fraud, underaged prostitution, ritual killings and other vices, should not implement a policy that will compound its problems. I still believe 16 years is good enough for students to go into the university, but if government insists on 18 years, give at least a four to six years transitional period.

  • In pursuit of happiness – By Francis Ewherido

    In pursuit of happiness – By Francis Ewherido

    There are a few commentators who frown at the enthusiasm and sometimes obsession many Nigerians have for the English Premier League. It is common when a new season commences or during the season. When I come across such views, I ask myself what is the problem? Is it a sin? No! Is it a crime? No! Is it unpatriotic? Absolutely not. Does following the English League by Nigerians have anything to do with the dwindling fortunes of the Nigerian League? Of course, not! we are in a global village and these Nigerians are just exercising their freedom of choice.

    The English simply repackaged the English Premier League and turned it into the global brand and money spinner that it is today, surpassing the Spanish La Liga, the German Bundesliga and the Italian League in terms of earnings and prestige, I dare say. Let me stay away from which is the best league in the world to avoid unnecessary controversy.

    Meanwhile, the Nigerian league was on a downward trend while this was going on. In the days of Segun Odegbami, Muda Lawal, Owolabi and their contemporaries, our best players plied their trade in Nigeria. The local league was strong and vibrant. As a Bendelite (that was how people from Bendel State were called before the creation of Edo and Delta States) I was naturally a fan of Bendel Insurance and later New Nigerian Bank because of Stephen Keshi. I remember in 1985 or 1986 when Bendel Insurance defeated Enugu Rangers in Enugu. The celebration among Bendelites went into the night at Ziks Flats, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where we listened to the radio commentary.

    Two of my fellow Bendelites and our Cameroonian friend consumed close to three cartons of beer in “celebrating” the victory. Our Cameroonian friend went to use the toilet, slept off and spent the night there. He was lucky because Ziks Flats had very clean toilets. Those of us living in Franco Hall could not have done that no matter how drunk we were. Franco Hall toilets got cleaned in the morning only and there was no water to flush the toilets subsequently. Each user simply “tops” whatever faeces he met there. Our Cameroonian friend would have had a faeces-filled feast if he had fallen asleep in a toilet in Franco Hall.

    These days most of our top players are now foreign-based. It is true that the migration of some of our best African players to Europe was an inevitable trend at some point due to better contracts, but that is not the reason for the downward trend of Nigerian Football League. A country with a population of over 200 million people should always have new talents to replace those departing. Moreover, Morrocco, Egypt and South Africa also have players abroad, but their local leagues remain strong.

    I related with the Nigerian Football Federation when it was Nigeria Football Association. Notwithstanding change of name, it remains one of the biggest problems of Nigerian football. Officiating has also been another big problem. Time was when no away team won a match in the Nigerian league. Controversial decisions were made, including award of dubious penalties. Officiating has improved, but we still have a long way to go. Is it not embarrassing that our referees scarcely get the nod to officiate at the international stage. Meanwhile, referees from countries not known for football like Rwanda, Seychelles, etc officiate at international stages, including tournaments. Also, many of our football pitches have improved, but still not up to international standard. I can go on and on.

    Why blame Nigerians and describe them as unpatriotic? In the 80s, foreign music dominated at parties and social gatherings in Nigeria. Today, it is Nigerian music all the way. Also, most Nigerians now wear clothes made by Nigerians in Nigeria. Some of these outfits have price tags of millions per outfit. But those who can afford them buy them without blinking. I wanted a dress from one of these top designers who is a friend. When he gave me the price, I almost passed out. I told him I am not one of his high-net-worth clients and paid him what was comfortable for me which he accepted because “I be senior bros.” Why is this patronage and change of orientation? Is it out patriotism? No way. Nigerians are getting value for their money. Nigerian football needs to offer value to fans, sponsors and other stakeholders if we want it to get to the level we desire to fill our stadia with football fans.

    Stop calling Nigerians unpatriotic. We all saw how the premiership evolved. It was not always like this. I started following the premiership keenly when Kanu Nwankwo joined Arsenal. In line with my patriotic zeal, I became an Arsenal fan. But I was actually a fan of Kanu before he joined Arsenal. I fell in love with Arsenal style of play and Arsene Wenger’s business philosophy which he implemented in football management, although I later got fed up with him because his style was no longer yielding the desired results. By the time Kanu left Arsenal, I had fallen in love with Arsenal, a love affair which subsists till date. I am a proud gunner.

    That does not mean I have no more place in my heart to love a Nigerian football club. But honestly, I no longer support any local team. None gives me the fulfilment Arsenal gives me. If Arsenal wins, I savour the victory and the good football. If we lose, there is always the bitter bile of defeat. To shake it off, I write this column on the day we are playing. If we lose, I use writing to take my mind off the defeat. If we win, I write with Joy. If the victory is against Man United or Chelsea, I postpone writing and savour the victory and bragging rights over Scott, GborhoKings, etc. That’s partly how we catch cruise and keep ourselves happy like many other Nigerians, or don’t we have a right to be happy?

    Before our eyes the Saudi League is evolving. With careful planning, we can do same. We have the population, the economy and football fans. We should stop blaming Nigerians for supporting foreign clubs. It is not unpatriotic in a global village.

    I love the Super Eagles. You recall that during the last Nations Cup semifinal with South Africa, five Nigerians died. I had to act fast to avoid such a fate. Just before the start of the penalties, I suspected my pressure had risen astronomically. I reached out for the Sphygmomanometer to check my blood pressure. The systolic (upper reading) was 190. Immediately, I decided not to watch the penalty and that was probably my saving grace.

    I used to go to the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, to watch matches. I stopped because of the activities of hoodlums after matches. No matter the result they unleased terror on fans coming out of the stadium after the match. It was worse when it was dark. I now watch on television. My only challenge is the tension which I have not been able to overcome.

  • As Okuama indigenes prepare to return home – By Francis Ewherido

    As Okuama indigenes prepare to return home – By Francis Ewherido

    The Delta State Governor, Elder Sheriff Oborevwori, recently told a delegation of Urhobo Traditional Rulers Council that the displaced Okuama indigenes will be going home “soon.” I got the information that the contract for the building of the primary and secondary schools and health centre had been awarded a few weeks ago, but I kept the information to myself because it was a private discussion. I decided to wait for an official announcement. I know the importance of scoops (excusive stories), but I was also taught the boundaries as an undergraduate. Social media has led to the abuse of “breaking stories” or “exclusives.” These days, unless families act fast, relatives will know about the death of a beloved family member online. In those days, having exclusive stories led to accelerated career growth of some journalists. I do not know the reward people get these days on social media, but people need to use their common sense which unfortunately is not common.

    After I heard about the building of the schools and health centre, one of the thoughts that came to my mind was where are the people going to stay. I had a discussion with the chairman of the IDP committee, Mr. Abraham Ogbodo, who told a brilliant idea. He or the government also have the responsibly to make it public. I am not into breaking news stories.

    The IDP Camp Committee has done a remarkable job. The Ewu IDP Camp is the brain child of the Delta State Government necessitated by the levelling of Okuama community in the aftermath of the unfortunate killing of 17 officers and soldiers. We are still expecting the military and other enquiries to tell us what actually happened. The soldiers not only levelled and razed Okuama, not a single soul was left behind. Some indigenes lost their lives while others ran into the forests, where they stayed throughout the period the soldiers occupied Okuama. Some lucky Okuama indigenes took refuge in homes of relatives in neighbouring communities.

    After the soldiers vacated Okuama, it took a lot of efforts for the indigenes to come out of hiding and there was no home to go back to anyway. An IDP camp became a necessity. The government had three options: the immediate resettlement of the returnee Okuama people in Otu-Jeremi, the headquarters of Ughelli South Local Government which Okuama is part of; building an IDP camp in Ewu Town, headquarters of Ewu Kingdom; while some people suggested building the IDP camp in Okuama. This did not make sense to some of us because of security and logistics reasons. Moreover, IDP means internally displaced persons, why leave them in Okuama? Settling for Otu-Jeremi would have been a quick fix, but that is another kingdom and it would be a hard sell for Okuama people. Ewu town we thought was easy turned out to be a hard sell also.

    During a flood a few years ago, which sacked Okuama people, an IDP camp was set up in Ewu. Okuama people claimed that Ewu people did not treat them well. Convincing them became a herculean task. The governor had to invite Okuama leaders to Asaba, the Delta State capital, and assured them that the new IDP camp committee will look into their grievances and avoid a reoccurrence. While all these backs and forth were on, insults were being hauled at the governor for lack of action and delay in sorting out the IDP camp issue, but I guess all public officers who are sure of what they are doing have to get used to such insults.

    Based on what the governor said, which Ogbodo, a former editor of The Guardian Newspaper confirmed, they never had a close relationship. The governor saw him talking on TV and decided to saddle him with the task of being the chairman of the IDP camp. I told the governor he could not have picked a better choice. I went on to tell him a project Ogbodo and I and a few others worked on, the Okugbe Microfinance Bank, an initiative of Olorogun Moses Taiga, the past President General of Urhobo Progress Union. It was meant primarily to make access to finance easy for ewheya (Urhobo women) and ighele (Urhobo youths). Ogbodo was the co-ordinator; I was his assistant and Dr. Benson Uwheru was the secretary. The committee also had some other bright minds. Contrary to expectations of many people, the committee surpassed the initial N300m target and raised N409m.

    Unfortunately, CBN did not give us the license. The subscribers held a meeting where the committee volunteered to refund people’s subscription. Majority of the subscribers objected and said the project must come to fruition no matter what and how long it took. But we also decided that those who wanted their money back should apply for a refund and that has gone on smoothly. After those who exited, the committee still has over N300m left.

    I do not understand why some people do not like giving others their flowers. It does not diminish you, so what is your problem? Gov. Oborevwori gave the IDP committee an initial N10m to put the camp in place. By the time he saw what Ogbodo and his committee did with N10m, he was pleasantly surprised and openly confessed about the prudence of the committee. Ogbodo has since used his personal contacts to get individuals and groups to donate five cows, many bags of rice, beans, garri and other food items to the camp. Other members of the IDP committee have assisted Ogbodo to do great job. I cannot mention all their names for lack of space, but I commend the camp commandant, Deacon Austine Ohwofaria. Those of us who did NYSC know the job of a camp commandant. Managing children and women is tough. Some of us with only one wife dey sweat; you can imagine a camp commandant managing hundreds of women and children.

    I remember in my previous article, I admonished Ewu indigenes who are members of the committee to be very diligent and upright. So far, I have not received a report about them.

    I want to reiterate what I said previously that the Delta State Government needs to demarcate the boundary between Okuama and Okoloba. The government also needs to invite Okuama and Okoloba people and drum the necessity of living together in peace into their heads. Okuama people bore the brunt of this crisis. No one knows the outcome a future crisis if both communities do not learn to live in peace. It is okay for them to intermarry and enjoy inter-ethnic sex, but ordinary living together in peace is a problem. They should know that they are like male organ (Penis and scrotal sac). The same water washes both, notwithstanding the fact that they are Urhobos(okuama) or Ijaws (Okoloba). Do you know some of the children in the IDP camp are Okoloba children. Their Okuama mothers fled to the bush and later IDP camp with them. Temper could have flared up in the camp over this but common sense prevailed because technically are they Okoloba people because we are a patrilineal society. That common sense should prevail when Okuama people return home.

    Let me also appeal to outsiders bringing politics into the IDP Camp and sundry matters to leave politics out of it. If political consideration was involved, the governor would not associate with me on this project because it is an open secret that I worked for his APC opponent in the last election. Some of the Ewu contingent in the IDP committee are APC members. The governor told me from the beginning that he was not interested in party affiliations, but committed Ewu indigenes when nominations of the IDP camp members was on. It is a humanitarian assignment, not sharing of political largesse. Those troublesome Ewu people who tried to create confusion at the IDP camp a while ago should not allow that to reoccur. The governor made it clear from the beginning that his interest is the welfare of the Okuama people in the IDP camp.

  • The protests through my lens – By Francis Ewherido

    The protests through my lens – By Francis Ewherido

    One of the most valuable lessons I have learnt about life is to see life from my own perspective. That is exactly what I have been doing since the beginning of the protests on August 1. I agree with the slogans: #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria and #End Hunger, but I also know that some of the sponsors and participants have ulterior motives which I am against. There is definitely increased hunger and hardship in the land. These were worsened by the way the federal government went about the floating of the naira and issues around the fuel subsidy removal. I am no economist, but I feel they could have been better handled.

    I heard some people protesting and asking that Nigeria should go back to the pre–Tinubu Government era of subsidising fuel. Some of these people are from states that share borders with other countries. They are the economic saboteurs who made money by smuggling petroleum products across the border. I dismissed their selfish protest with a wave of hand.

    I heard some protesters calling for military takeover. I urge such people to relocate to Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali and enjoy military rule there. I have lived in both civilian and military governments in Nigeria. None is perfect, but civilian government has come to stay. If anyone wants to change any government at the federal or state levels, wait until 2027 or whenever elections are due. I don’t understand this desperation.

    I support genuine protests. The first protest I participated in was as a student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The legendary late Chima Ubani was our union president. I can’t remember the details, but Ubani was a servant leader, so no one needed any prompting to follow him. He was selfless. The leadership of this demonstration is a potpourri of those with selfless and selfish motives. I align with those who are selfless and advice those with selfish motives to come clean and look for right channels to actualise their aspirations.

    The demand for an end to bad governance is very legitimate. If Nigeria had good governance since independence, we would have been in the league of South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia and some of these new economic powers. In fact, we were at par with some of them in 1980. So bad governance has been a problem in Nigeria. We should not behave as if it is a new development nor focus on the centre only. It’s time we also focused on states. In 1991, when new states were created, there was a particular state. Prior to 1991, anyone looking for domestic staff (aka house girls and house boys) focussed on that part of the country. That was all they were known for then. Today, the state has become a major tourism destination spot. The people who made this to happen are Nigerians, not aliens. How was that achieved? What were many of these other states doing when this transformation was going on?

    How come there are so many out of school children in some parts of the North? The problem has been there for decades. What were the governors doing with all the allocations they were getting. Since 1999, we have been hearing that some of the governors from the North live in Abuja. What happened to their state capitals? How can you feel the pulse of your people when you are distant from them? What has the 15 months old federal government got to do with this systemic and decades-old problem? The performance of some current governors in the last 15 months has exposed the incompetence of their predecessors over eight years. Their tenures can rightly be described as locust years. But we cannot continue to cry over liquid that has spilled on the ground, so let us move on and beam our searchlights on the incumbents. I respectfully use avenues available to me to ask questions in my state. The media have democratised access to the mass media, so use yours to ask questions in your states. If you are ignored, you have a right to speak out. Unfortunately, I have found out that some of those making noise are blackmailers. They are only interested in themselves. Sad!

    One arm of government often ignored are local governments. I have said privately and publicly that development will be faster and the grassroot will feel more government impact if local governments sit up. Government at the local government level has never been serious. I have two friends who did their youth service in local government secretariat in the North and South-South 38 years ago. In both cases, the local government came alive once a month when the local government allocation came. There was a feast after which money was shared. Then they dispersed to converged when the next allocation arrived.

    It is no longer a secret that the monthly local government allocation has increased. We cannot continue as if it is not our business anymore. We must hold our local government chairmen and executives accountable. They should come and give us a blueprint of their plan for their local governments. I am using this opportunity to call on the chairman of my LGA, Ughelli South Local Government. Please tell us your plan for our people. I want you to succeed because if you do, our people will be the beneficiaries. Talk to us.

    Our local government chairman in Lagos had a stakeholder meeting with us before commencing the construction of the road and drains in my area. He disclosed that local governments in Lagos are currently constructing about 123 inner street roads. The implication is that the Lagos State government can focus on other roads and projects. We need performing LGAs to speed up developments and deliver a better Nigeria. Citizens, beam your searchlight on your local governments.

    My final focus today is on families. It has become a fashion fad to vilify government only. I am not a government spokesman and am not speaking for government. The truth remains that Nigeria would have been a better place if government at all levels over the years have done very well. But government is just part of the larger society. Life actually starts from the family unit. A man and woman meet to start the family. My question to parents is what kind of products are you pushing into the larger society? A man who cannot feed himself is a father of 10 children. He is uneducated and has no skills. The children predictably are also uneducated. He does not even have enough knowledge to guide his children. In some cases, the vicious cycle is now in the fourth generation. Can someone explain to me why government should be blamed for this?

    I also wrote sometime ago about how parents are buying phones and laptops for their children and taking them to internet kingpins. They enrol their children and pay for them to be taught “how to do yahoo-yahoo.” How do you blame government for this? Many aging artisans complain that they are have no young people to pass on the knowledge to. Many builders now bring people from neighbouring countries to build their houses because young Nigerians are not interested in learning these skills. They want to become rich overnight. Delayed gratification is now a dying phrase.

    Moral decadence has crept into religious institutions. A pastor who works in a company where monthly salaries look like annual salaries suspected that someone was stealing his tithe. He decided to be vigilant. On this particular Sunday, his tithe envelop disappeared when they counting. He raised an alarm. Guess who stole the envelop? Another pastor. In another church, the people counting money kept stealing offertory money. They tried women, men and youths at different times to no avail. They had to instal CCTV cameras. Can we blame government officials here?

    I support demonstrations against bad governance and hunger in our land, but maybe we need to expand our demonstrations to include bad parenting, moral decadence and other aspects of our national life where we are need to improve on. We need a better society in all ramification.

  • Era to lean on spouses – By Francis Ewherido

    Era to lean on spouses – By Francis Ewherido

    Let me start on a note of gratitude to all those who reached out to me when the column suddenly stopped a few Saturdays ago. Your love means a lot to me. The sudden interruption was not planned. It only became inevitable purely for personal reasons, but I am happy to be back.

    Today’s topic sounds unusual because leaning on spouses is naturally one of the pillars marriages are built on. The primary reason for marriage is companionship and leaning on each other is a form of companionship, so leaning on spouses has no era. It should be a permanent state of marriage. Unfortunately, it is not always so because many issues occur in marriages that make it difficult. Marriage remains a noble institution, but things can become complicated unless couples learn to keep their marriages simple.

    Many young people do not seem to understand what marriage is all about. Some feel it is all glitz, marry and live happily thereafter. This is partly true, but marriage is also a tale of the unexpected. Having been in marriage for 25 years and counting and having seen many marriages at close quarters, my favourite marital vows remain: “I, (name), take you, (name), for my lawful wife/husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.” These vows depict the reality of marriages as I have seen them over the years.

     I will cite a few examples. I have known a couple for over 20 years now. The woman was pregnant at a time, but had a miscarriage. Right now, they are childless, but have stuck together. Now she’s down with a life-threatening ailment and really frail. The last time I saw them, the husband was right beside her. I was very happy with his devotion. 

    A very close friend of mine got married over 30 years when an average family size was about four children. They had the first two and that was it. Because we are very close, I could talk, and I told her the last daughter was overdue for a younger sibling. “My brother, na so e suppose be, but as another one nor gree come, wetin I go do now? They never had a third child and the husband did not go out to father more children. The two children are married and they are proud grandparents, living happily.

     I was planning to visit a young couple who just had a baby. I had scheduled a visit when he told me that the baby had died, barely a month after delivery. I was gutted, but this is one of the tales of the unexpected that happen in marriage.

    I have an old acquaintance. He is late now, but he was stupendously rich, the family remains very comfortable, but the wife gave me an insight into the early stages of their marriage, how they cramped their six children into their small Volkswagen vehicle. Seeing the opulence around them, it is difficult to reconcile their current status with their humble beginning. I have another acquaintance who told me several times how he started his married life in a one-room accommodation. He is a very rich man by any standard today. His humble beginning is distant memory. That is partly why I vehemently disagree with those who say someone who lives in a one room should not marry. For me, where the man is starting from is not as important as where he is going to. As long a man has focus and knows where he is going to, the starting point is immaterial.

    I have always believed and I maintain that a man must have two things before marriage: a roof over your head, rented or owned. A squatter or someone who lives with his parents has no business getting married. Every married woman should be queen in her empire, even if it is a single room. Two queens living together with two different husbands under one roof is a breeding ground for conflict. Have your own accommodation before marriage. Two, you should have a regular source of livelihood. It is not proper to marry someone’s daughter when you are unable to feed her. Anyone who has fulfilled these two criteria is good to go materially speaking. What is important is your plan to move from where you are to a higher level. That is why a supportive spouse is very important. 

    Some of us grew up in homes where our mothers were helpmates to our fathers. They worked hard to put food on the table, a roof over our heads and see us through school. Such teamwork continues till date. Some 10 to 15 years ago, I had older friends who, with their wives, toiled to see their children through school and give them a good life. Some of them who had never been abroad now travel to do omugwo, go on holidays, etc. I feel very happy for them. They are enjoying the fruits of their labour and well done to these children who remembered the sacrifices their parents made for them.

    What has been irritating me, which partly prompted today’s column are the posts I read from this indomie and microwave generation. They want everything ready-made before marriage. Marriage is all I have stated above and much more. Marriage is part of life and life is a tale of the unexpected. You can plan, but the unexpected will still occur. So, this fixed mind set on marriage by the younger generation is very defective. I hope they realise these and change their mindsets sooner before they mess up their lives.

    The other reason that necessitated today’s article was a call I got from a friend. He just lost his close friend suddenly and he blamed it on pressure from his wife who kept making comparism between him and his peers. I was pissed because that is wrong. There are better ways of inspiring spouses, not eroding their self-esteem. Times are tough and spouses are supposed to stick to each other, not put pressure on spouses. I do not have patience with spouses who put unnecessary pressure on their spouses. Now the husband is dead. With both spouses, they were struggling, how is she going to cope?

    Nigerians are going through a lot already. This is no time for spouses to make life more burdensome. Many of those who laboured patiently in the past are now enjoying the fruits of their labour. Marriage is a marathon, not sprint. Do not kill your spouse with stress. Treat each other with love and patience. This generation need to go back to the foundation to understand the essence of marriage before going into it. Too many of them are clueless about what the basics of marriage are.

    ADIEU, OLORI FLORENCE WALEADE AJOKE BABAYEMI, Ph.D

    Some goodbyes are tough to say. The death of grandma, as I fondly call her, is one of such goodbyes. Grandma was the mother-in-law of one of my brothers, Ufuoma, who recently passed on at the age of 86. Grandma had a personal relationship with virtually every member of the Ewherido Family. Her life reminds me of Philippians 2: 6-8. She was the wife of the late Olufin of Gbongan, Osun State, Oba (Dr.) Solomon Babayemi. She also earned her own Ph.D. She raised six successful children and left behind many grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

    She had enough worldly possessions and achievements to be very arrogant about, but was embarrassingly humble. She was deeply spiritual. Her life revolved round devotion to God, the work of God and service to humanity. Of course, she was a core family woman and her family extended to in-laws like us. Grandma soaked me she met in prayers anytime I was opportune to meet her. The same applied to others who met her. She was warm and affable. I miss you, grandma. Rest in peace.

  • Okuama: No substitute for peaceful co-existence – By Francis Ewherido

    Okuama: No substitute for peaceful co-existence – By Francis Ewherido

    During the week, the Delta State Governor, Elder Sheriff Oborevwori; the members of the Ewu IDP camp Committee for displaced Okuama people and some leaders of Okuama Community held a very fruitful meeting in Asaba, the Delta State capital.

    Okuama, you recall, is the community in Ewu Kingdom in Ughelli South LGA of Delta State that was destroyed and levelled by the army in the aftermath of the killing of 17 army officers and soldiers in circumstances that still subject of inquiry and investigation.

    Okuama people have been reluctant to temporarily move to go to the IDP camp in Ewu-Otor because of rumours that their land will be taken over. Another factor was the demonstration by Okoloba women that Okuama people should not be allowed to come back to Okuama but be resettled in Ewu!

    Let me just chip in here that Okuama people need nobody’s consent to return to their ancestral home after the army withdres from the community. In fact, some of them have already returned, living in the ruins of what they used to call homes.

    During the meeting, Governor Oborevwori allayed the fears of the Okuama people. Based on the governor’s assurance to their leaders and clarifications on some misinformation which the IDP committee had sorted out, some Okuama people started moving into the IDP camp last Monday.

    When I called the camp on Monday morning, I heard many people talking in the background and a member of the committee I spoke with confirmed that they were Okuama people. The camp has now fully come alive. The committee is dealing daily with the challenges that arise in such IDP camps.

    The governor also assured the Okuama leaders that the reconstruction of Okuama will start this month with the rebuilding of the health centre and the primary school. Someone asked me what about the homes of Okuama people. The governor did not give details. He talked about starting off with the rebuilding of Okuama primary school and health centre, but common-sense tells me that if the school and health centre are being rebuilt, the homes will also have to be rebuilt because the people will not be coming from Ewu IDP camp to get health care at the health centre, and the students will not be attending the school in Okuama from the Ewu IDP Camp. The distance and logistics make that impossible.

    I suggest that the reconstruction should have timelines: clearing of the debris, construction of the school and health centre, private residences, amongst others. The relevant government organs and Okuama people can work out the details. Whatever it will take, the school should be ready by September so that the students can resume the 2024/2025 session there.

    That said, a worrisome incident took place earlier. Some Okoloba women went on demonstration that Okuama people should not come back to Okuama but be resettled in Ewu. Why? The demonstration looks to me like something that was sponsored, the hand of Esau and the voice of Jacob. The demonstrators alleged that Okuama people are tenants.

    As an Ewu indigene, I have never heard that before. Okuama has been a community in Ewu Kingdom as long as Ewu people I spoke with can remember. Some have maternal forebears dating back who were from Okuama. I called my 90-year-old mother who grew up in Ewu. She said she grew up to meet Okuama community. The first Bishop of Benin Diocese (Anglican Communion), Bishop Agori Iwe, an Ewu Kingdom man, is from Okuama.

    Documented history has it that he was born in Okuama, Ewu Kingdom, in 1906, where he also accepted the Anglican Faith at an early age. Ewu-Otor and Okuama indigenes I spoke with cannot recall any oral history where Okuama was tenant to Okoloba or anyone. Where did these women mainly under-60 years get their history from. Where is the documented evidence: receipt for payment of rents, tenancy agreement, or treaty or other documentary evidence? I am not a historian and will not delve into what I have limited knowledge of, but let those who alleged should prove legally and lawfully. But I just wonder if that is the paramount issue right now.

    Another Ijaw group has kicked against the rebuilding of the school and health centre in Okuama. They asserted that the government should have invited Okoloba people for discussion first. We all want peace in that axis and there is nothing wrong with the government also engaging Okoloba people to find a lasting peaceful solution, but they cannot tie such engagements to rebuilding the Okuama school and health centre.

    Should Okuama school children stay at home and should Okuama people die from preventable diseases and curable illnesses until Okoloba people meet with the government? All the activities can go on simultaneously. Okuama people are traumatised. If you cannot empathise with them, at least let them be. The soldiers scarcely left Okuama before people from neighbouring communities allegedly moved in to steal the remnant of what escaped destruction and what was partially destroyed. Okuama people also alleged that their food crops were harvested and stolen.

    I advice all community leaders to be very careful and think through the implications of their utterances and actions. These riverine communities are inhabited by regular locals who are engaged in farming and fishing. They have lived together and intermarried over the years. I was told that the mother of the monarch of one of the neighbouring Ijaw communities is from Okuama. Why sow seeds of discord among these people for personal reasons?

    Urhobos, Ijaws, Isokos and Itsekiri are intertwined ethnic groups. Intermarriage and inter-communal life are not only restricted to Okuama and Okoloba, but across Delta State. I am Urhobo from Ewu Kingdom, but I have links to Isoko (Enwhe and Olomoro). I remember in those days when relatives of my father, whose parents migrated from Okpare in Olomu, an Urhobo Kingdom, came to visit us in Ozoro, Isoko North LGA headquarters, they proudly proclaimed my father as “omo mi,” meaning our son).

    My maternal great grandmother is from Enwhe, while my first cousins are paternally from Enwhe.  Some of my nephews and nieces are partly Ijaw, Itsekiri and Isoko. In fact, the home town of my nephews’ maternal grandfather, who is Ijaw, is close to Okuama! So, when I discuss these interethnic issues, I exercise caution like someone trying to kill a tsetse fly that perched on his scrotum. Let us all tread carefully, please.

    Moving forward, I reiterate that the state government should properly demarcate the border between Okuama and Okoloba. Okuama is in Ugheli South LGA while Okoloba is in Bomadi LGA. Both communities should be made to sign a new agreement to commit to peaceful coexistence. The earlier agreement has not worked.

    Both Okuama and Okoloba people should realise that they are both vulnerable in a hostile environment and would be happy in a peaceful environment. Both of them use the same Forcados River and pass through each other’s territory, depending on where they are going to or coming from. There is only one solution: peaceful co-existence. When disagreements arise, they should seek lawful means, not taking laws into their hands.

    Taking laws into their hands has apparently not worked and will never work. Let’s put an end to the senseless loss of lives. Let reason prevail.

  • Pruning in relationships – By Francis Ewherido

    Pruning in relationships – By Francis Ewherido

    Some people complain, lament or curse because their “friend,” political associates or leaders, boyfriends or girlfriends, etc., have severed relationships with them. People have different reasons for severing relationships. For some they now see you as a nuisance. Others feel you have outlived your usefulness. For some others, you are no longer in their league; they have moved on. Some people kick you out of their lives because you crossed the boundary or did something they cannot ignore or forgive. The list goes on.

    As far as I am concerned if someone severs a relationship with you, move on with your life if your conscience is clear. In a country of over 200m people, why should you kill yourself over one rejection?  I only worry myself over things that are within my control. If you cut me off, that is not within my control and I do not worry myself over it. I have asked a few people who cut me off where I went wrong and that is the farthest I have gone.

    Some people simply see severing of relationships as pruning. Pruning is about cutting off branches of a tree or flowers to remove deadwoods and make the tree or flower grow better, or change the tree or flower to a particular shape. Why would you question people for taking decisions they feel are beneficial to their lives? It can be very brutal, wicked and inhuman or Machiavellian to the people at the receiving end, but move on. Some of the criteria the people use to prune might not even agree with your value orientation, but you have to learn to live with their decisions. They are taking decisions about their lives. You also go ahead and take decisions that are beneficial to your life.

    Before readers come here and tell me that I don’t understand the pain of being pruned off, let me share just one of my bitter experiences across many sectors of my life. I wanted to get married to someone I really loved. The closer we got to the D-day, the further we drifted apart in spite of spirited efforts. Then one day, she confronted me, “…am I the only girl in town? Go get yourself another girl and leave me alone.” I was shattered. I saw my life falling apart, but also knew I had reached my limit. Since childhood, I knew it was not dignifying to force yourself on people who don’t want you. I left to lick my wounds. That was about six weeks to our traditional marriage. Letting go and healing was tough, but I heeded her admonition and went to get “another girl” whom I eventually married. We just marked our 25th wedding anniversary. You cannot hang around where you are not wanted. If you do, do not complain about maltreatment or humiliation. You have the power of choice.

    Some people do not know the difference between a friend and an acquaintance and that is a big problem. If you have 500, sometimes even 100 or 50 friends, it means one or more of these: you are an extraordinary person in cultivating and nurturing friendships, or you flatter acquaintances by calling them friends, or you are confused and do not know the difference between a friend and an acquaintance. Who is a friend? “A person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection, typically exclusive of sexual or family relations.” Calling someone your friend means you know him/her. You know his likes and dislikes, strength and weaknesses. There is a bond. Friendship does not mean you see every day, but out of sight is not out of mind. We all deal with issues, so you might not even talk for a month, but the bond remains firm. I see a friend as a loving brother from another womb (Siblings can also be friends). You share a common bond and deep feeling for each other. A friend loves, respects and trusts you.

    An acquaintance is “a person with whom one has been in contact but who is not a close friend.” You know each other. Some of the traits of friendship might be there, but the bond is not as deep. We also have people we are associated with in business, politics, career or other endeavours. You do things together, but you are not friends. We have peculiar cases of former spouses who are separated or divorced, but are still business or political associates. In one particular case, they run a practice together, share the same office space, but are divorced. I am pointing out all these differences because people need to know so that when you get pruned off, you do not get hurt unnecessarily. Know where you belong. It helps to manage your expectations and hurt.

    The hurt many people suffer when pruned off is as a result of the difference between reality and expectation. Former President Goodluck Jonathan lamented when he got pruned off by his “friends” after he lost the 2019 election even when he was still president. Former governors, permanent secretaries, MDs, chairmen, etc., have been pruned off by “friends.” These are not their friends but “friends” of the positions they occupy. I have been there too at my small level. No one is immune from being pruned off. It is one of the harsh realities of life.

    Pruning (rejection) might be part of life, but it helps to know why you were pruned off. If for instance, a girl rejected you because you are 5.8 inches and she prefers men who are six footers; that is none of your business. She cannot see beyond the physical. Her value orientation puts the height of a future husband above potentials, peace of mind, financial security, spirituality, etc. You move on until you meet a girl with your kind of value orientation. I had an acquaintance who in his bachelor days had no business with dark-skinned girls. Are you going to bleach to fall within his latitude of acceptance? NEVER. You simply wait. There are many men out there who appreciate black beauties. One of them will come for you some day.

    Part of the problem some people have is that some of us have low self-esteem. We put base metal value on ourselves. How can others put premium value on you? This is not about arrogance or pride. It is self-assurance. As a result of inferiority complex, you will not encourage people to visit you because you are ashamed of the bungalow you used your hard-earned money to build. Meanwhile, the same kind of bungalow is someone else’s pride. You go for ceremonies, you park far away from the venue because you are ashamed of the car you drive. If you are uncomfortable with your current circumstances, work hard to change it. Alternatively, come to terms with it so that you can have peace of mind. Put premium value on your life. You are created in the image and likeness of God. God’s creation cannot be inferior. That you got pruned off changes nothing. This article is not about positive thinking to lift anybody’s spirit. It’s the reality.

    That said, make efforts to become a better person every day. Self-improvement increases your self-confidence and ultimately, value. There is a giant in every person. It might be hidden, but it’s there. Unearth it. It will help you to live your life on own your terms and conditions at least. Do not let anyone make you feel less. That is paramount.