(GALATIANS 6:7)

At 91 years, I still have much love for my country Nigeria to prompt me to write this message.

In my opinion, the greatest malady that has plagued the world in general and Nigeria in particular is selfishness, greed, avarices, power, hatred, bitterness, anger, unforgiveness, envy and the Grand Master CORRUPTION all rolled into ONE. It all began in 1960 when on gaining Independence from Britain; we took POWER and left behind RESPONSIBILITY. All along, as long as we, our family, community and tribe are comfortable what happens to the other people, family and clan does not concern us.  

If one were to write and expatiate on this matter from the various perspectives I believe, as the Bible says about Jesus deeds on earth “the books that will be written will fill every space of the earth. I have therefore decided to treat the subject from only three ANGLES.

1. National, State and Local Government Assemblies.

I have always felt that Politics ought to be an avenue to serve one’s Constituency in particular and one’s country in general and not for making money or acquiring wealth. That view is strengthened when I read of Assembly Men in Europe and America who serve their Constituencies for up to 30 years meaning that they delivered on their election promises and serve selflessly as true servants.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of our Legislators at the three levels of Government.

1. National Assembly:

I think it was Prof. Itse Sagey who blew the whistle many years ago informed Nigerians and the whole world at large, using facts and figures, that the salaries and allowances being paid to Nigerian Senators and House of Representative Members were the highest in the whole world. If I remember correctly, the figures quoted were Fourteen Million Naira (N14m) and Twelve Million Naira (N12m) per month respectively.

Put side by side with the minimum wage which then was N 18,000.00 per month and now N30,000 per month what sort of comparison do you want to make?. David Mark and Aminu Tambuwal as Senate President and Speaker, House of Representative who “bequeathed” the INHERITANCE to them are Christian and Muslim respectively and so are the members of the National Assembly. For all I know, comments and criticisms by well-meaning Nigerians all these years have falling on their deaf ears.

1. State Assembly:

Not much is known about the salaries and allowances State Legislators receive. At least I have not read of any criticism from the public. But we do know that they paid themselves Severance Allowance after serving four or eight years, pension with other entitlements like cars, houses, security and domestic servants allowances etc.

(In the mad rush to contest election to the National Assembly, for the money sake, State Governors always beat them to the race because apart from those Severance and other Allowances, State Governors who have pocketed SECURITY VOTES for eight years are more financially empowered).   

1. Local Government Assembly:

Nothing again is known about the Salaries and Allowances of Local Government Chairmen and Councillors but we do know that the so-called grassroots development envisage in creating 774 Local Government Areas in Nigeria has not been justified. On the contrary, not only that no form of development takes place in Local Government Areas, I heard that Local Government Chairmen and Councillors always go to their offices only when the Federal Allocation comes in. After distribution to godfathers and stakeholders, they disappear until when the next Federal Allocation comes in.

2.        National Challenges vis a vis Reconstructing Nigeria.

            I am not the originator of this idea. I know many well meaning Nigerians believe that one way of meeting the country’s challenges (currently limited to Security, Economy and Corruption) is through restructuring the country.

Unfortunately, most contributors advocate their type of reconstructing for selfish, tribal and ethnic or group advantage. Some advocate more States and more Local Governments even when everybody knows that many of them are not viable. Although I am not a constitutional expert, but I have made my observation on the events in Nigeria all these years since Independence in 1960. The country had at a stage operated four Regions that were viable with Groundnuts, Cocoa, Palm Oil and Palm Kernel reigning. The problem emerged when the Military took over Government and introduced, though a Federal structure with States, but a CENTRAL COMMAND which they were used to.

With nearly all powers vested in the Federal Government, what should we expect from 36 States and 774 Local Governments. Now all States and Local Government rush to Abuja for monthly Allocation. How many States or Local Governments generate 50% of their annual budget?.

Without beating about the bush I venture to advocate as follows:

1. A Federal Government with the known responsibilities.
2. Six (6) Regional Governments along the lines of present Geo-Political Zones and with the responsibilities of the old 4 Regional Governments.

1. 109 Municipal Local Governments (headed by a Mayor) along the lines of Senatorial Districts. (We had Lagos City Council those days)
2. Federal, Regional and Municipal Local Government Police (it is a negation of a Federal structure to attempt to avoid the setting up of State and Local Government police).  
3. With the exception of Municipal Local Government Councilors, Federal and Regional Legislators to serve PART-TIME and receive only Sitting Allowances (this system will attract men and women who sincerely want to serve the Country e.g Professionals who have had successful practices like the former Vice President Late Alex Ekweme).   
4. All Regional Governors (or premiers) to be divested of responsibility for security and so no security votes for anybody.
5. No pension or Severance Allowance for Legislator on leaving office.
6. No Nigeria worker in public or private sector should earn more than the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
7. Not more than THREE (3) political parties should be registered.
8. Because of its importance to the survival of Nigeria, I want the 2023 Presidential Election to be fought on the ALTAR OF RECONSTRUCTING NIGERIA.

3.        GALATIANS Chap. 6 vs. 7 (GOOD NEWS BIBLE)

“Do not deceive yourselves; no one makes a fool of God. A person reaps exactly what he plants”. Some people call it the “Law of Kammah” so my simple message to Nigerians in particular and to mankind in general is to know from now that anything you say or do at any level family, community or national level expect either a REWARD or PUNISHMENT.

For years or centuries, mankind has fooled God. We relegated His commands to love our neighour as ourselves. Why do you think God allowed this VIRUS to come to this world to humble us. Pope Francis said as much in his recent prayers for the world against the VIRUS “You humbled the proud and powerful. The economy is crashing, businesses are closing, We are moving in circles looking for some cure to this disease When in fact we need to humble ourselves and ask you for guidance and wisdom. May be this virus is your way of purifying us….. so as to bring us back to YOU”.

Remember, the Reward or Penalty for human action can last to the forth generation.

May God bless and save my country Nigeria

May God bless and save the whole World

Pa. Godwill O. Okoobo, FCA

Idumebo-Irrua Town,

Esan Central L.G.A.,

Edo State.

16^th September, 2020

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In my estimation, the protesters have never felt more secure in their own country without SARS and the police checkpoints. While the idea of SARS may have had a purpose, the implementation of the program was a failure that has to lead to the killing of way too many innocent Nigerians. Way too many innocent people have been killed, beaten, imprisoned by officers who take the law into their hand, and without impunity.

The citizens of Nigeria have been terrorized by these and similar police agencies for decades. Clearly, the Nigerian government does not understand the ordeal faced by the Nigerian masses. How can the people expect a SARS or SWAT or ??? solution from a government that appears tone-deaf to the plight of its citizens? The disconnect between what the country needs at this moment and the steps being taken by the government are miles apart.

There are reasons for this. For one, the elite government officials are living in a bubble and out of the mainstream. They are mostly unaffected by SARS or other security apparatus in the country. Wealthy Nigerians, politicians, government officials rent the services of the National police as personal bodyguards. They parade Nigerian streets with sirens in front of and behind their vehicles, as they move around to conduct official and sometimes casual affairs.

The Nigerian masses have to endure the loud sirens and harassment by these hired guns who are paid peanuts to clear traffic for them. And more importantly, protect them from the harassment of police check-points and SARS operatives. As a result, they cannot relate because neither they nor their family is subjected to the same kinds of abuses, extortion, and murders experienced by the majority of Nigerians. This practice of hired guns has to stop.

Mr. President, the Nigerian youths are NOT the cause of Nigeria’s insecurity. The country’s failure in providing basic education, infrastructure, job opportunities, high wages, trained well-paid police officers, good governance, etc. are the causes of the country’s woos. These deficiencies are what has lead to the reaction by our courageous youths, taking to the streets in protest under extreme conditions. With a simple demand that should be accorded to all human beings. The right to live. The right of their children to live. The right to equal opportunities so they can live in dignity.

The question now is, what are you going to do about it? This is a pivotal moment. Please consult if you have to, but I beg that you make the right decision, or gracefully accept that this moment is bigger than your presidency and resign.

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