Mind, body and soul
As we speak, it is self-evident that Nigeria is firmly in the cusp of history – hopefully not for ill, but rather for good. We are confronted with the inevitable consequences of our collective lethargy and indifference as we swing from euphoria to nostalgia and back again desperately trying to come to terms with the nightmare in which our nation is trapped. Regardless, we must not despair. Otherwise, we would have done great injustice and inflicted grave injury to those distinguished and eminent men we are here to honour – for their relentless commitment to excellence, their resolute sense of purpose, their commitment to public service (and by extension to the public interest). That they are exceptionally gifted as evidenced by their academic prowess is an indisputable ingredient of the sterling qualities of the awardees: Tekena Tamuno, Shehu Umaru, Babatunde Osotimehin, Tonnie Iredia, Dapo Fafowora.
Before we begin to explore how a nation that is capable of producing such excellent species and internationally acknowledged scholars/administrators can simultaneously run its own affairs into the trough of chaos, anarchy and misery, we should at least attempt to compare what prevailed before with what has now engorged our entire nation. For those who are only too eager to accuse us of resorting to idle nostalgia, we plead that they allow us to share with them an old Chinese kernel of wisdom and philosophy which featured prominently when President Goodluck Jonathan visited China last week: “The easiest thing to remember is the truth”.
Therefore, permit me to share with you the following nuggets: From the latest report of the World Health Organisation (WHO), “More than a billion people in the world today experience disability. People with disabilities have generally poorer health, lower education achievements, fewer economic opportunities and higher rates of poverty than people without disabilities. This is largely due to the lack of services available to them and the many obstacles they face in their everyday lives.”
The report does not stop there. Like a good doctor, WHO has listed the following disabilities against our nation after a thorough diagnosis of the patient (as well as complaints of severe pain and post-traumatic stress disorder): “300 Level Students Can’t Write Ordinary Letters” (Punch, July 16, 2013):
“The Academic Staff Union of Universities on Monday decried the level of decay in Nigerian universities, saying 200 and 300 level students could not write ordinary letters. The chairman of Ahmadu Bello University branch, Mohammed Aliyu, stated this while addressing a news conference in Zaria, Kaduna State.
He said, ‘It is disheartening to note that students in 200, even 300 levels, cannot write ordinary letters. This has shown how poor our education standard is.’
Speaking on the on-going strike, the chairman said it was not about salary increment, but to compel the Federal Government to honour the 2009 agreement with the union. ‘After three years of serious negotiation, government signed the October 2009 agreement with our union. The agreement aims at addressing the rot in the Nigerian university system and enhancing its overall efficiency. It focuses on funding requirements for revitalisation of the Nigerian universities, Federal Government assistance to state universities, progressive increase in annual budgetary allocation to education – to 26 percent between 2009 and 2020 – and amendment of the pension/retirement age of academics on the professorial cadre from 65-70 years.’
The chairman said after signing the agreement, both the federal and state governments developed cold feet, forcing the union to embark on a warning strike before proceeding on an indefinite action since July 1.
Aliyu said that ASUU had tried to avoid another crisis in the university system by writing to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the minister of education in February, reminding them of the pending issues. ‘The letter highlighted outstanding issues in the 2009 agreement and the subsequent 2012 memorandum of understanding,’ the chairman said.
He listed other issues to include the non-injection of N100bn intervention funds in 2012 as FG assistance to state universities, payment of academic allowances, raising education budget to 26 percent and setting up research units in companies.”
Further: “Oil Theft Is Nigeria’s Biggest Challenge – Oshiomole” (Vanguard, July 16, 2013); “Ministries Stink With Corruption – Borofice *Alleges Science & Tech Ministry Budgets N896m To Supervise N50m Project”; “Banks, Financial Operators Grumble Over Contributions To IFRS Academy *Intrigues as FRC Objects to CBN’s 2012 Annual Report” (ThisDay, July 17, 2013); “Tanbuwal Urges Prudent Use of N2 Trillion Assets Seized By EFCC *Reps investigate commission” (The Guardian, July 16, 2013):
“Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, has called for proper accountability of the assets seized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), stating that a situation where monies, landed property and business concerns estimated at N2 trillion are not properly managed is unacceptable.
Tambuwal spoke yesterday in Abuja at the commencement of a three-day investigation and public hearing on the status of all assets seized or recovered by the EFCC since inception, organised by the House Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes.
Also, chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ahmadu Giade, has disclosed that the agency recovered over N1.8 trillion in different currencies and 70 cases for the EFCC between 2006 and 2013.
Represented by the Deputy Majority Leader, Leo Ogor, Tambuwal said: ‘I have learnt that between 2003 and now, the EFCC has confiscated over 200 mansions and large sums of money through 46 forfeiture court orders. These landed property, monies and business concerns estimated to be worth in excess of N2 trillion, included bank accounts, shares in blue-chip companies, exotic vehicles, fuel stations, holdings, warehouses and shopping malls, among others.’”
Also see these: “Legislators spend N5.2 billion per bill in two years *Less than 10 percent of bills passed since 2011” (BusinessDay, July 15, 2013); “Federal Government, States Have Failed Nigerians – Soyinka” (Nigerian Compass, July 15, 2013); “Braithwaite Condemns Congestion In Prisons” (Vanguard, July 17, 2013).
The rest of the world are fully entitled to wonder what is going on in our beloved country as they surf the web only to be confronted by the following front page headlines from our national newspapers of July 17, 2013: “Uproar as four northern governors visit Amaechi” (The Punch); “Governors’ convoy under attack in Rivers violence” (The Nation); “Amaechi, 4 govs’ convoy pelted” (Daily Trust); “Protesters Stone Amaechi, 4 other Govs” (Nigerian Tribune); “Pro-Wike protesters attack Northern Govs in P’Harcourt” (Daily Independent); “Four govs stoned at P-Harcourt Airport” (Vanguard); “Amaechi, 4 govs held hostage” (Daily Sun); “Anti-Amaechi Protesters Pelt Northern Govs with Stones” (ThisDay); “Protesting youths hold Amaechi, four other govs hostage at airport” (The Guardian).
Extract from an address delivered at Mellanby Hall, University of Ibadan, on July 18, 2013.
Randle is a former president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and former chairman of KPMG Nigeria and Africa Region. He is currently the chairman, JK Randle Professional Services.
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