Ms.
Oduah was bold to single-handedly spend N255million of our collective
wealth in a frivolous manner and then say it is for the use of the
establishment. Going by the outcry trailing the purchase, what if her
successor decides to do without the “utility vehicles”?
The
stench of arrogance, lies, deceit and corruption in the government of
President Goodluck Jonathan oozes that no amount of image-laundering
cologne will cure. Loyalists and aides never forget to remind us that
Mr. Jonathan is a good man, a gentleman, a respecter of rule of law,
God-sent leader, bla bla. But why would a man with such wonderful
attributes that would make Basir Al-Assad commit suicide, continue to
flirt around terrible individuals? Do I perceive a case of rewarding
undiluted loyalty or unequaled friendship?I am very amazed.
In
those days, questionable characters in whatever arm of government
possess a bit of decorum. Many of them, albeit renowned brigands stole
with a measure of sympathy. They looted in a way only their family
members, concubines, close staff and associates found out. The masses
were kept in the dark, at least most of the time. Fast forward to 2013,
all sectors, including the ever-green GRAFT, have undergone huge
transformation, robust growth and tremendous development, which are
visible to every Nigerian at home and in the Diaspora.
Not-minding
the earlier crashes and near-crashes witnessed under her tenure, the
country’s Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah-Ogiemwonyi,
thought it wise or was (wrongly) advised to forestall any fatality by
muzzling out a personal security vote from parastatals saddled with the
responsibility of ensuring both personal security and collective safety
of millions of travelers flying the nation’s airspace! More appalling,
is the fact that the latest scandal for which she has been indicted
occurred only a month before the recent Associated Airlines accident
that killed, sorry, re-killed a former governor and 14 others.
That
our oyinbo-accent sister, daughter, wife and mother, needs more
protection than her boss, President Jonathan, is not in any way an
acceptable argument; that one requires two cars worth $1.6m
(N255million) to effectively discharge official duties is ridiculous;
that a government official finds it not abnormal to order agencies under
her watch to cough out a quarter of a billion is shameful; that we had
to hear the gist from the media further shows the level of insecurity
and cover-up in governance; that the accused is still comfortable being
the occupier of the office is a confirmation that integrity is no longer
a watchword for service; that the President may not find this scandal
enough reason to give the Minister the boot is even ridiculous and is
paining me to the marrow!
Justifying
the purchase, Joe Obi, the Minister’s media assistant, stated that his
principal inherited a lot of baggage in terms of the concessions and
lease agreements which were not in the interest of the government and
people of Nigeria. To this end, according to him, adequate security
cannot be handled with kid gloves. I ask: Why did it take more than two
years after her swearing-in (July 2, 2011) to realize the urgency of
self-protection from “imminent threat”?
For
Ms. Oduah’s information, it is not only her ministry supposed enemies
of the state are targeting. The Ministries of Finance and Agriculture
are also on the radar of the bad guys; probably under more threat when
compared to hers. She’s mistaken to think that her confirmation that she
requested the purchase of the automobiles portray her as sincere
person. No ma’m, there is absolutely nothing to explain; records,
receipts, documents and statements from aggrieved personnel gave you
away already.
Federal
Government freaks out when opposition leaders, organized Labour,
commentators and activists applaud the Academic Staff of Universities
Union (ASUU) for sustaining the ongoing action. But from the picture its
reckless officials paint, isn’t it clear that contrary to the “we
cannot afford your demands” claim, the country can in fact fulfill the
contentious 2009 agreement? The striking lecturers are no idiots; they
see, hear and read about the countless financial mismanagement and
wastage by the same people who claim no money!
In
their tiny brain of illusion, our leaders think that they are smooth,
sleek and smart. The sad part, however, is that a number of them are not
only fools, but are living in fools’ paradise yet they know not. I mean
if they are as brilliant as on paper, how is it possible that
less-educated people catch them by the wrist? How is it possible that
despite diversionary tactics, their secrets blow open eventually?
Ms.
Oduah was bold to single-handedly spend N255million of our collective
wealth in a frivolous manner and then say it is for the use of the
establishment. Going by the outcry trailing the purchase, what if her
successor decides to do without the “utility vehicles”? In a clime where
voodooism is still in high practice, the next Minister could reject the
cars for fear that Ms. Oduah’s traducers have cast a spell on the
fortified BMW 760s.
As
we’ve all seen, heavy cosmetic make-up can only cover the spots,
blemishes and wrinkles our faces, it does not (and will never) do the
magic on dishonesty, crass attitude, shady deals and corrupt tendencies.
The President will do himself, his government and the nation a world of
good by dropping this woman from his cabinet. I am counting on the hope
that he will do this without further delay. I would not bet on it
though.
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