Until Ibori Returns

The recent release from a UK prison of Chief James Onanefe Ibori, former governor of Delta State over cases of money laundering and other related crimes, have placed the media world  awash with an unprecedented hype.  The release is being celebrated in many quarters, especially his kinsmen from Urhobo ethnic divide and many politicians who drank from his infested well of benevolence. To them, their leader and mentor have regained freedom from the gulag and that is what matters to them.

Times may not have been the best for the embattled former governor and the self-styled Odidigborigbo of Africa. He was just one of the unfortunate few Nigerian politicians who tried to impoverish his people but caught in the web, even though many still benefitted from it. He has borne the sins of many. As a governor, Chief James Ibori meant different things to many people. To the civil servants in Delta State, he remains the best governor the state ever had. The people of Oghara, till eternity, will prefer the death that will take the life of their illustrious son to take them in his stead. Their reasons for this may not be far-fetched. He singlehandedly transformed Oghara from an inglorious unknown enclave to one of the best and fast developed towns in Delta State. The Teaching Hospital he built there is enough reason for the entire town to kowtow and pay obeisance to Chief Ibori every morning after bowing to God. The health institution has not only put the town in public glare, but serves as the highest income and employment generating instrument to the people.

The polytechnic at Otefe-Oghara, the naval logistics base, the stadium and the Niger Delta University have also helped to magnify the cosmopolitan status of the once sleepy town. Chief Ibori, apart from facilitating all these and many more, he ensured they stand the test of time. Little wonder his people idolize him like a demi god. They exhibited this when youths facilitated his escape when he was almost arrested by the authorities.

Candidly, the name Chief James Onanefe Ibori remain synonymous  with Delta State politics, hence the insinuation that he made governors, senators, house members, party chairmen, etc from the prison, is evidently manifested in the political structure in the state today. Indeed, most big masquerades controlling the political waves are apostles of Ibori political school. I am not surprised with the avalanche of big political crooners that beseeched London to celebrate his release from prison.

Now, many questions are building in the air on the many ‘ifs’ that will follow the release of Chief James Ibori. One of his political sons and immediate successor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan have fired a warning salvo that the continuous celebration of Chief Ibori in London may put him into more trouble than envisaged. Information from the grapevine has it that this may not be unconnected with a long lost love with his mentor and political godfather. As a result, alongside his wife, he was prevented from seeing Chief James Ibori at his London residence. More facts emerged that Dr. Uduaghan’s sins are many. One of them being that when his boss was in prison, he was busy frolicking with his many concubines, a sin Chief Ibori finds hard to forgive.

Meanwhile, the veracity of this allegation is yet to be substantiated because insinuations were rife that every month, part of the monthly allocation meant for Delta State were used to service Chief Ibori while in prison. Quite recently, the evidences began to unravel with the revelation that a whooping N250 million was sent to Chief Ibori in prison. There seem to be something fishy in the entire development. First, could it be true Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan actually frolicked with his mentor’s concubines and yet be servicing him in the prison as if nothing was happening? Secondly, could it be that  Dr. Uduaghan would be such an ingrate to the man that made him? Was this the actual reason he was sent back and denied from seeing him? Many hanging questions that really need an answer.

Many Nigerian who are watching the celebration of the release of Chief James Ibori, vehemently condemned the crass glorifying of criminality in our system by a group of politicians. They are disappointed that the average Nigerian would openly glorify someone that is convicted of political crimes, even in the middle of a period that the anti-corruption crusade of President Mohammadu Buhari is wielding serious hammer on would-be scapegoats.  Without mincing words, it is not unlikely that the many politicians who are thronging the Ibori’s London residence to felicitate with him are not doing so because they so much love him. But because of the possible gains they intend to get from the political dynasty Chief Ibori has built overtime and what he represents in Delta State. They are all hiding under the political umbrella that Ibori’s name have institutionalized.

Political calculations are already strumming the possibilities of embracing the ruling party at the centre – APC by Chief Ibori. This, they are insinuating would fast track his total freedom should he be arrested by EFCC on return to Nigeria because the party may need his political weight to claim the oil rich Delta State in 2019 general election. Meanwhile, the possibilities remain visionary permutations if only President Mohammadu Buhari would give in to such aberrations.

So, 2019 is now a political Rubicon that many politicians need the might of Chief James Ibori to cross. It is unfortunate how the once cherished romance that existed between the two cousins has been tainted and sacrificed at the altar of personal avarice and fleshly lusts. Can the love ever be restored again? Well, in politics, the popular mantra has proven overtime that there is no permanent friend or enemy, but permanent interest. The saying holds sway especially in an environment that wields serious interests like ours. Let us therefore watch as the full drama unfolds. However, it is glaringly clear that not all that laughs with you are your friends.

Until Chief James Ibori returns to Nigeria, then the fate of 2019 political jostlers will be decided. Will he be lured into APC to prevent his possible arrest and his charges downplayed? Or can he stick to help rebuild the wobbling foundation of PDP, a party he was one of the founding fathers? Time will tell.

I am just jonesing with my pen.

-        PNI

THE RENEGADE - a poem

Desperation wore the mask of anxiety
To try is to win
Another trial bandied in a conclave
Consessioned at night.
The will forge on
Clamped in the palms of gladiators
Who decides the fate
Of the cymbals that will cling.
They are called
The juggernauts.
The turned the prospects
The life of the party would flourish.
Mercy in their hearts is wickedness
The devil is a better friend
Than a dinner in their midst
Unless their backs are turned
A succour is to bolt away.
They are called
The cabal.
The treasury, in monument
Built with sands of our commonwealth
Crumble overnight, yet no qualms
The poor can cry blood, dripping
They are in control
Sacked in bloodied wads.
It is called
Looting unlimited.
The Renegade
With battered ego
Switched to find a tent
So conducive, yet elusive
He was milked with hopes
To join
The band of the revered and feared
His ambition truncated
Leaving moles and holes
To battle in his tears-filled
Ant-infested
Once glorious barn of goodwill
He was raped to tatters
Despondent and forced to leave, forlorn.
He hopped in and out
Hearts berserk and made
To find a roosting rest
Wherever, ready to receive
To give him the ticket to run
That will conciliate
His mind, laden and maimed
In the hands that made him
A renegade.

GRATEFUL HEART

A popular saying treads on the importance of importance of giving by submitting on "give a man fish and feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and feed him for life". The saying cannot be truer with the recent of empowerment of his constituents by the senator representing Delta Senatorial District, Sen. Barr. Peter Nwaoboshi.

On Saturday, 17th December, 2016, the massive Cenotaph Arena, Asaba was filled to the brim as constituents trooped out en masse to witness the biggest testimonies of their lives. Apparently, the event was also honoured with the presence of the political class across Delta State and industrialists. Constituents drawn from over 1,000 communities that makes up Delta North Senatorial district went home smiling after their lives were touched in different forms. Items given out ranged from tricycles, milling machines, wheel chairs for the disabled, motorcycles, bags of rice for the needy among other things. They were meant to give a new meaning to their lives. To the beneficiaries, their lives were touched beyond imagination. They have been given itineraries for fishing, hence hungry will be far from their stables. It boils down that it is not the items given out that really matters, but the heart that ignited it.

Really, it is not everybody that is blessed, has the mind to give. To Sen. Peter Nwaoboshi, he has the interest of his constituents at heart, hence the burning desire to satisfy them with this empowerment. His soul-touching speech wields some element of humanity underscored by the burning passion to express his appreciation to the people for believing in him by giving him their votes.

He has proven that he is ready to do more even with the abundance bestowed from the providence of the Almighty. He assured of better representation by providing the people with the desired dividend of democracy. Having unfolded part of his agenda, he has fixed a lot of projects that will cover most of his constituency in the current budget through his direct office as the Chairman, Senate Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

IB’UZOR - TRAPPED IN THE MIRE

10/6/2016

One thing that bothers me overtime is the model of Ib’uzor that our fathers want to leave for us and the unborn generation, knowing fully that this was not the same model left for them by their fathers. The butterfly in my stomach kept growing in size in the last few days, reading the happenings in my supposed noble Ib’uzor.

It bothers that at this age and time when comity of towns in Anioma and other ethnic divides are preoccupied with thoughts of how to add values to their communities, we are here struggling with history. My heart weeps because our ancestors are grieving in their various graves over the unhealthy development that has taken over our town.

I have ardently read the proceedings of the last few days which were consequences of the inevitable aftermath culminating from the address marking the 21st anniversary of the Obuzor institution. However, I have consequently submitted that what has happened and is happening is not entirely out of sync with the typical Ib’uzor spirit. A trait that flowed down from our progenitors. An elder must not be at home and watch the nanny goat suffer the pain of parturition on its tethers. Kudos to all those whose voices have heated up the atmosphere in the wake of a development that tend to take us 20 years behind history, making us a laughing stock before our neighbours.

Candidly, we have not done badly as a town with the array of super stars that dazzle the different cadre and ranks among the top echelon that controls the affair of the state and nation at large. As a result, the idea of an elite who will represent us with a bid to attract development to the town became a sine qua non. Hence, the Obuzor institution remains the best concept that happened to modern Ib’uzor. However, I am personally disappointed that 21 years have gone down the drain. Yet, we are crawling on comatose belly seeking for recognition among a comity where we would have been dictating the tune. I have been very close to the activities within the ambient of the state government and I make bold to say that I have been disappointed most times when I see smaller communities being represented and holding brief for their communities. Their rulers visit different government agencies to jostle for infrastructural facilities they lack. But my noble Ib’uzor was no where in the fray. Let anybody challenge me and I will mention occasions.

Quite saddening, those who are supposed to be major players at this time have decided to sit on the fence because they don’t want to be so tagged. Can we continue to watch from the sidelines while things get awry? Does it mean that those who chest out and subsequently return with brands of either anti or pro-Obuzor are the worst affected? Well, definitely not all voices must be heard. But it pains to observe that while we revel in different social for a in the name of projecting Ib’uzor development, let us not that posterity is around to judge our deeds and misdeeds. Our generation unborn will surely ask questions on the history of their ancestry even if we deny them the right. It is not out of place that we have seen sons of umejei who lived iin the diaspora and hide every traces of their home to their families, thus denying the children of their innate ancestry. Most of them left standing orders either to be cremated or buried in their naturalized countries when they die. No matter how and where they are buried, who cares after all?

Come to think of it, most of them have taken the stance of ‘I don’t care what happens’. Many have been frustrated with goings-on like we are experiencing now. For the love of his country, Martin Luther King Jnr. Advised, “…think of what you can do for your country”. If only all Ibusans will be development volunteers, the present issue at stake will be far nipped in the bud before its insurgence. I hereby ask, what is the problem with Ib’uzor? Have we ever sat to ponder that every institution in Ib’uzor is moribund? Education is in shambles. Health is hazardous. Social amenities are annihilated.

I hate to see the word ‘crisis’ anytime issues rise between the Obuzor institution and Diokpa system. It gives me a sad reminder of an era that trapped us to where we are today. I also fail to apportion any mistake to anybody or censure anybody in the ongoing brouhaha. No human is infallible. My take is the way forward.

I hereby implore all major actors and development-conscious Ib’uzor sons and daughters to see the recent outcome of the Obuzor’s address as one of the challenges of community building. There is need for all to think about three things – the first being development; the second, development; and the third, development. I wish the entire palace chiefs are all contributors to know that what Ib’uzor needs now is not parallelism but unity of purpose. The one that will breed lasting peace and an atmosphere of development.

Coming out from the vestiges of wanton rancour that have characterized our noble abode, I want to see an atmosphere where the security of Ib’uzor becomes everybody’s concern; where the issue of youth restiveness and ‘ego di n’oshia’ syndrome is completely sent to eternal grave; where a healthy synergy exists between the masses and our political representatives, Such that will eventually yield democratic dividends to our town. Even though, I am not unmindful of a disgruntled few who benefits whenever such crises arise, they can still queue to the new wave of anticipated El dorado staring our future Ib’uzor.

As we all pray for the Obuzor institution to thrive, we ask for God’s divine wisdom on the current occupier of the seat, Obi (Prof.) Louis Chelunor Nwaoboshi. No nation thrives in an atmosphere of anarchy and dictatorial tendency, rather a peaceful co-existence between the government and the governed. Let us all sheath our swords and contribute out individual quotas to make our society grow beyond utter disparagement of neighbouring communities. Even if this is part of Ezesi’s curse, we can say ‘NO’ and change our destiny.

- PNI

DELTA STATE GOVERNMENT AND EDUCATION IN IBUSA: WHY ARE WE SO BLEST?

28/6/2016

In the past three weeks or thereabout, Ibusa people are still basking in the euphoria of the news that the Navy Secondary School facilitated by their son, former Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Dele Joseph Ezeoba has been converted to a university. The new nomenclature of University of Science, Arts and Maritime Studies (UNISAMS), Ibusa remains the greatest news ever to emanate from the sleepy town in recent times. However, a visit to the school premise will no doubt leave an impression of something serious brewing in the environment. Before now, the closest we have got in terms of schools with such facilities was the construction and total transformation of former St. Angela’s (now Anioshe Primary School) by Mr. Francis Atuche, the embattled former Managing Director of Keystone Bank. He was following it with the remodelling of Sacred Heart (Umejei Primary School) when he had issues with the authorities.

Without mincing words, these great feats by these illustrious sons go a long way to prove their passion for educational development and welfare of the average child in Ibusa.

More so, it is right to put straight here that since the creation of Delta State in 1991, education in the town have suffered greatly despite the fact that she is within the periphery of the so-called Delta Capital Territory. Safe for the quick intervention and agitation of concerned citizens, only three government-owned secondary schools existed in Ibusa. In 2012, St. Augustine’s College was handed over to the mission, leaving St. Thomas’s College and Ibusa Girls Grammar School at the mercy of a government that cared less about their welfare. It took a clever blag from a frontline educationist like Pa AWO Inugonum to get the Director of Schools give his nod for the approval of two additional schools in 2013. Among these schools, Omu Boys Secondary School was re-established after her closure in 1988 left no explanation from any quarter till date, whereas all the schools established the same time and year still wax strong in their different domain. Then, Ibusa Mixed Secondary School replaced St. Augustine’s College already taken over by the mission.

Basically, infrastructural development of school is a major prerogative of the government. But the attitude of Delta State government towards government-owned schools in Ibusa leaves more questions to be answered on whether Ibusa is still part of the state. After the take-over by Federal Government Girls’ College in the former abode of St. Thomas’s College, the latter was thrown into a forest of forgetfulness. Not even the popularity attached to the name of the school could move the state government into paying attention to its predicament. Whatever be the sins of the vast populace of Ibusa indigenes remain unknown even when the political activities and prowess of her sons and daughters toward the development of the state was unequivocally glaring. I find it hard to believe that in this age of technological exploits that an average Nigerian school can cope without a science lab. That is the situation in secondary schools in Ibusa. To think that the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education in Delta State is aware of this and yet close his eyes makes it more worrisome. As if asking for too much, the entire secondary schools in Ibusa have been abandoned for over 25 years now. The only presence of the government is the posting and reposting of teachers and personnel to make them feel relevant. Whatever they are facing afterwards in their locations is none of their business. Our ears are inured with the inglorious grunting that the government has no money. For over 25 years? Haba!

Ibusa’s case may not be a peculiar one. But the fact that she remains under the purview of the so-called capital territory status, yet suffer this crass neglect is an issue that is as mind boggling as it is seriously demeaning.

For the records, the present infrastructural facelift in St. Thomas’s College was made possible by the former Chief Economic Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan – Prof. Nwanze Okidegbe who was also an old boy of the school. The state government hurriedly made some renovations at St. Augustine’s College before handing over to the missionary owners. Before then, illustrious Ibusa sons and daughters like Barr. Fred Ajudua, Mrs. Philo Okonkwo, Mr. Francis Atuche, etc had at one time or the other donated facilities like books for the libraries, science lab equipment, renovations of dilapidated classrooms for conducive learning environment for the students. The first block of six classrooms in Ibusa Girls Grammar School was build and donated by Chief Martins Ikediashi in 1984. Given that these are community schools, should the government then leave the entire responsibility to the indigenes? Then where is their social responsibility of education for the people, especially Ibusa. Are they only interested in the votes of the people during elections only to abandon them to their fate when it mattered most? The government has now adopted a strategy of renovating only schools situated along the roads, leaving the ones interior to suffer a great deal of dereliction.

Now that the government has decided to leave Ibusa to their destiny, do we also abandon our own because the government and our political representatives have failed to do the needful? One wonders the type of future expected from these students of Ibusa heritage in our secondary schools. Government-owned secondary schools in Ibusa have increased to four. Yet, there is no facility on ground for cognitive learning ability of our children. Candidly, a sizeable percentage of families in Ibusa cannot afford private schools tuitions for their wards. Moreover, statistics keep indicating that the output from students from the public schools in our environment surpasses that of the students from the so-called private schools.

Last year, Ibusa Association, Dallas chapter who have been involved in educational development in the town sent one of their members, Mr. Chris Okafor to take a survey and see how they can augment government’s effort in the provision of chairs to government-owned secondary schools in Ibusa. An on-the-ground assessment by the emissary exposed more areas of concern than the chairs they earlier had in mind. At the newly re-established Omu Boys Secondary School and Ibusa Mixed Secondary School, their immediate problem hinged on the need to secure a permanent location to enhance their continuity and future admission of new intakes. St. Thomas’s College posed a problem of porous environment with a serious threat of intruders. Hence, any new facility like science lab equipment stands the risk of carting away the very night they are installed because of lack of fencing. The greatest challenge was met at Ibusa Girls Grammar School where they can hardly boast of a good building for studies. About four classroom blocks have been abandoned putting the horde of students at the risk of conducive learning.

Moved to the latter’s plight, the representative of the association was given a letter of appeal by the then principal of the school, now retired Mrs. Diachi. He took the message to the chapter who agreed to help renovate at least a block of the abandoned classrooms. Mr. Okafor was again in the country recently as he took inventory and possible estimate for the repair and sent back to the chapter for approval. Over a month, the chapter was still deliberating on the approval of the money for the renovation of the classroom blocks and possibly supporting another primary school in the town.

Just yesterday, after a long wait, Mr. Okafor got a call from his base in Dallas that they got a message that the government will soon carry out total reconstruction of all the classroom blocks in Ibusa. Therefore, they can only embark on their earlier plan to donate chairs to these schools. Hmmm!

In as much as we will commend Ibusa Association, Dallas chapter for their good initiative towards complementing government efforts and educational development in Ibusa, let it be known that this is not the first and fifth time the government have indicated interest to renovate schools, especially in Ibusa without keeping to their promises. At the beginning of this academic session, yours truly was moved with a possible hiccup that threatened the admission of new intakes because of lack of accommodation. The Commissioner of Basic and Secondary Education, Delta State was invited with a view to assessing the facilities on ground. He however used the opportunity of the unscheduled visit to tour the four government-owned secondary schools in Ibusa and on seeing the sorry state of facilities in Ibusa Girls Grammar School; he reiterated government’s handicapped financial status and inability to fund educational development in this dispensation. But if they promise to do something in the near future, the better. But truth is that the state of these facilities has tarried beyond many administration without attention. Their promises to Ibusa have remained an everlasting manana.

Whoever that has a means of helping to salvage education in Ibusa should please do so, while we wait for the government.

- PNI