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Nigerian-Americans killing their spouses in the US - (1)
By Godson Offoaro
Monday, July 26 , 2010


Photo: Sun News Publishing
More Stories on This Section
In the mid nineties through the early 2000's, Nigerians with the aid of the Visa Lottery literally invaded the US. Those who could not win the visa lotto sold their personal and family belongings in order to escape to America. Visa applications, interviews, approvals and denials at most foreign embassies in Lagos and Abuja, were the order of the day.

Men and women, young adults and children slept at the American embassy building on Eleke Crescent for the sake of US visas. Anywhere but Nigeria, was good to live in!
In America then, it was a thing of joy to hold one welcome party/seminar or the other for newly arrived Nigerians. If Mexicans, Indonesians, Indians and Filipinos could get into America at will, why not Nigerians? In fact, Africa AIDS Watch, an organization which I was its Executive Director organized seminars for newly arrived immigrants in collaboration with the Ethiopian Council.

This period also coincided with the hectic (SAPpy) days of Generals IBB and Sani Abacha. It was a period when many Nigerian Andrews checked out in droves - to look for greener pastures in foreign lands. It was a period when even bank workers and high ranking military personnel who visited the US on official duties simply stayed put. It was a time when living abroad, particularly in the US was a thing of pride.

It was a period when girls inexplicably abandoned their high school sweethearts and long standing males to whom they've been betrothed for the unknown Nigerian male - from the USA and the Europae!The period so loomed and boomed that Nollywood romanticized it through home video movies such as Omugwo and American Dollars.

Sensing the rush for the jandeds, (slang for the newly arrived males from abroad) Nigerian cab drivers, security men, nurses aides office messengers, administrative assistants and Social Workers, in the US, in their unbridled greed, returned home to marry above their pay grades and American social status. They married Nigerian female medical doctors, nurses, lawyers, engineers and other well sought after high paying professionals - all products of the very good educational policies of the Nigeria of those days. Where the professionals were not the target of economic-induced marriages, pretty, educated Nigerian ladies of other academic disciplines and of good parentage, who ordinarily would not have married these men were they not from America, fell head over heels in their scramble for everything Americana and its almighty dollar.

What the ladies did not bargain for was the sudden discovery of social in-equilibrium between them (highly trained female Nigerian professionals) and their US-based Nigerian male counterparts many of whom were at the lower level of the American social stratum. Reader, it is important to note that you could be at the lower end of the American social strata and still act big in Nigeria. All you needed was your dollar and ability to mimic the American accent. In the days gone by, men usually married ladies they could at least have some measure of control over. A university graduate at least looked for an NCE holder.

A medical doctor looked for a university graduate of “inferior” discipline and so on and so forth. The American experience was a wacky role reversal. With above scenario, the stage had been set for a turbulent ride through marriage and as a couple. Most of these marriages consummated with fanfare, (after a few thousand dollars accumulated through tax refunds and other sundry savings which made the returned Nigerian American male loom larger than life) from the date of the lady's arrival from Nigeria, endured many painful “had I knowns”. Soon the newly arrived Nigerian female begins to associate with “Native Americans” whom they either meet through social interaction or at work place. Social interactions or workplace, you may ask?

Yes, because the newly arrived in spite of his/her educational accomplishments back home must first acclimatize. If income defined social levels, which is the case in America, then those the newly arrived Nigerian meets at workplace inevitably became his/her soul mate and social equal. Those who are professionals begin to mingle with real equals and those they could discuss with intelligently or on professional pedestal. They now come to terms that they have been defrauded or bamboozled by the razzmatazz of the American.

Now, the chickens are coming home to roost. The bubble is bursting. There is a new fang of social upheaval in many Nigerian-American homes. The wives' eyes have been 'opened.' What they bargained for originally, are not what they are now seeing, leading to an unbridled escalation in matrimonial disharmony. And, now, unfortunately to the untimely deaths of many Nigerian-American wives through homicide.

Statistics available have shown that more Igbo men have killed their wives in the US than their counterparts from other parts of Nigeria. Before then, many Igbo men had suddenly slumped and died - most of this happening in the Texas area of the US. During the period under consideration, (late nineties), a story line began to make the rounds. It was weaved and presented thus: a certain type of stockfish. Yes, Okporoko was the curse/cause!

Igbo men being stock fish lovers, it was easy to believe the storyline. “A certain consignment of Okporoko from either Norway or Cape Cord was the cause of this sudden collective death of men from a certain stock/race. Some mocked that the gods of stockfish were taking vengeance on the grandchildren of a race who massacred its own forebears! That many more Igbo men in America would die before the stockfish gods were appeased.” There was palpable fear in the male Igbo community everywhere in the US then. Whose turn would it be amongst the Okporoko consuming Igbo men?

However, it did not take long, before this stockfish conspiracy theory was debunked. Experts after some researches and autopsy on the dead came to the conclusion that more Igbo men slumped and died of cardiac arrest and other related sudden death syndrome because of the pent-up wahala being perpetrated on them, usually. A closer look revealed that most of those who died had one form of domestic problem or the other. There was a loud murmur in town to the effect that the deaths of these men may have been occasioned by wives! Their imported wives who have quickly wizened up to the American realities were the cause.

The men were being confronted with a new brand of wahala which they too had not adequately prepared to cope with having been brought up in Nigeria, nay in Igboland. A land that produced the dreaded Okonkwo of “Things Fall Apart” fame; a land where it was a taboo for a man to be seen kowtow to the audacious manipulations of a “woman”; a land where the male ruled and controlled their households with iron fist; a land where women until that moment were largely seen rather than heard.

Before some Nigerian men slumped to their deaths, most had slumped in court rooms before ruthless US Judges or slumped in jail houses before no-nonsense correctional officers. Some had slumped paying child support and mortgages. Yes mortgages of home they no longer lived in. Before the stockfish-occasioned slumping, there had been heartbreaks occasioned by the newly arrived Nigerian wife's new found freedom - a new freedom she had not been equipped to manage.

A freedom emanating from the fact that she had mingled and co-mingled with liberated African American women who essentially should not have been her social equal - if everything were to be equal. The newly arrived Nigerian woman finding a liberated life and letting the new found freedom enter her head began to experiment with the husband. Feminism must begin from home.

After a while, the situation ebbed only now to be forcefully replaced by a reversal of role. Nigerian men particularly the Igbo in the US suddenly have been jolted into consciousness. Trying to reclaim manhood hitherto consigned into perpetual throes in a most dastardly method. As they tried to reclaim their waning glories and lost dignities - more Igbo men began to kill their spouses in America. It was news everywhere in the US.

Pause. Yesterday, I got a text from a Nigerian journalist living in the USA. It read in part: “….another Nigerian has murdered his wife somewhere in Georgia….” What made this latest development newsworthy for me is that this time a man from a tribe other than the Igbo did it. A Yoruba man had killed his wife. Filled with grief by this reoccurring decimalized malady in the lives of Nigerians living in the USA, I began to introspect on that subject the whys and hows of spousal killings in the USA by Nigerians.

Why is spousal killing attaining a high pitched proportion amongst Nigerian's in the Diaspora, especially, in the US? If you are 40 years and over, you'd recall it never used to be so in the not too distant past. Why has this heinous crime, now become rampant. Why has it moved from an Igbo ordeal and is fast spreading to other tribes of Nigerians in the US? Can Nigerians at home do anything about it before it gets out of hand? Answers and suggestions coming your way. Soon. Offoaro who lived in America for 20 years, wrote from Havensgate, Owerri Offoaro@yahoo.com 07025161236


http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/opinion/2010/july/26/opinion-26-07-2010-001.htm

The Federal Government on Tuesday said that four federal colleges of education and two polytechnics had been converted into universities.



The affected institutions are the FCEs in Kano and Zaria; Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Owerri; and Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo. They are now to be known as universities of education.



Others are Yaba College of Technology, Yaba, Lagos and Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna, which are now to be known as universities of technology.



The Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’i, made this public while receiving the report of the Implementation Committee on Guidelines for Degree-Awarding for Colleges of Education and Polytechnics.



She promised that the Federal Government’s White Paper on the matter would soon be issued for onward transmission to the Federal Executive Council. She said that FEC would be expected to give necessary approvals for the affected institutions to commence full activities with their new status.



The minister said the upgrading of the six institutions to degree-awarding status was to improve access to university education in the country.



She decried the situation where less than 15 per cent of candidates seeking university education were successful during the just concluded admissions exercise.



To members of the committee, she said, “We can assure you that we will now take action and draft a White Paper for the government and seek FEC’s approval for these colleges and polytechnics to start awarding degrees.”



Rufa’i also expressed the commitment of the Federal Government to strengthen the capacity of the National Open University of Nigeria, as part of efforts to improve access to tertiary education in Nigeria.



Earlier, the comitteee’s Chairman and Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Prof. Julius Okojie, while presenting the report to the minister, said the selected institutions met stipulated guidelines.



He said they were found worthy, in line with an earlier recommendation of a report for their conversion.



Meanwhile, the Federal Government has said that a National Secondary Education Commission, to be saddled with the responsibility of regulating secondary education, is soon to be established.



Inaugurating a 20-man committee to draw up guidelines for its implementation in Abuja on Tuesday, the education minister noted that the vacuum created by the lack of a statutory body to oversee secondary education, was responsible the dwindling fortune of secondary schools.






http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20100721430593

Kidnappings: Freed Journalists Dogged By Bribery And Money-Laundering Allegations


The four journalists released by kidnappers in Aba yesterday are now the subject of deep controversy following their disclosure that their abductors robbed them of N3 million ($25,000). In their testimonies to their colleagues shortly after they arrived in Lagos yesterday, the group, led by Wahab Oba, the head of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Lagos state, Adolphus Okonkwo of the Voice of Nigeria, Sylvester Okere of the Champion Newspapers, and Sola Oyeyipo, another Lagos-based freelance journalist, said the kidnappers took away the money from them as soon as they were carjacked and driven into the bush. In an account captured by the Lagos based Punch newspaper, Oba said, “When we went for the NEC meeting, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Godswill Akpabio, gave us N1m as fulfilment of his promise to bankroll a national seminar which we had in the state three months ago.

“He also gave each NEC official N100, 000 as transport fare. I also had some money on me because I had been travelling recently. Other people had some money on them too.

“The kidnappers collected all the money. If you value what they collected from us in terms of cash and other things, it is almost N5m. We had about N2.6m cash and the car which we bought not long ago valued at N2.4m was also stolen.”


These explanations constitute the first time that professional journalists are admitting in public to have collected bribes, in this case called “seminar bankroll” or “transport fare.” It is leading to a public gasp about the way journalists do their official business, and the legality of carrying such huge funds around in contravention of the Nigerian money laundering law. The men spent eight days in the den of the armed men in deep forests in the Southeast.



Saharareporters had reported that the journalists, in addition to participating in a National Executive Council meeting in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State two weeks ago, also visited Governor Godswill Akpabio and gave him a special award tagged 'Responsive Governance Award'. It is unclear what Governor Akpabio, a notably corrupt governor, may have accomplished to win the “award,” or even whether the award was officially recognized by the NUJ bylaws. 


Akwa Ibom state government house sources told our reporters that each of the journalists that met with Akpabio received bribes aimed at silencing the media. One source told our reporters that in this particular circumstance, each of the visitors individually received N1 million while the national executives of the National Union of Journalists, including the president, Mr. Mohammed Garba, collected a N20 million gratification from Mr. Akpabio.

Our sources further said that the information leading to the kidnap of the journalists emanated from the state, specifically from persons who were aware that the governor had doled out the bribes to the journalists. That may explain why they were trailed as soon as they left Government House, one source said. 



Recently, SaharaReporters trained its spotlight on the penchant of Governor Akpabio to use bribery as an instrument of official policy. In a high profile case meticulously covered by SaharaReporters, we demonstrated the "gift" of a bulletproof Mercedes Benz GL 450 SUV worth $500,000 to the chair of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mrs. Farida Waziri. After we concluded the exposé, Mr. Akpabio hired some journalists to visit the state to inspect the vehicle, which he claimed to be a “security vehicle” owned by the state.

Further investigation revealed that the license plate on the vehicle displayed by Akpabio was fake, as it belonged to a different car make which was licensed to one Chief C. Orizu, with an address of Adotolo Nnewi in Anambra State. A few days later the supplier of the vehicle, Charles Ahize, also issued a statement in The Sun newspaper in which he contradicted the governor’s claims, saying he had privately supplied the $500,000 bullet proof car to Mr. Akpabio. This confirmed the car was purchased privately, contrary to Akpabio's alibi that it was owned by Akwa Ibom state.



The latest jamboree by the NUJ leadership to Akpabio and the granting of a dubious award to the governor was done quid pro quo to help him further evade scrutiny for his corrupt ways. It is instructive that the leaders of the NUJ in Lagos have studiously avoided investigating the source of the car Akpabio gave to the EFCC’s Waziri, even after the licence plate number found on the vehicle displayed by the governor bore a Lagos number. It is even more disturbing that the Lagos press has generally ignored the story even after the Lagos State government declared Governor Akpabio’s licence plate to have been forged.

It would be recalled that in one of our stories last April, following the invitation of selected journalists to Government House in an effort to discredit the Saharareporters story about Governor Akpabio’s bribe car, we wondered why none of the journalists asked any professional questions.



The possession of huge sums of cash by the journalists was already a source of rebuke by a police officer last week, who wondered aloud why the journalists had not traveled by air, given the long distance to their destination. But a Lagos-based journalist told SaharaReporters that his colleagues probably didn't want others to notice when they returned to Lagos, as a quiet return from such trips enable them to hide the booty from politicians from such colleagues who may want a cut.

Also, a Lagos based attorney said that by their admission the journalists have contravened Section 1 of the Money Laundering legislation of 2004, which prohibits individuals from carrying more than N500,000 on them while companies may carry up to two million Naira.

The kidnapped journalists arrived Lagos yesterday in private jet chartered and paid for by the the Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi.

As expected the revelations by the freed journalists have gingered Nigerians on the Internet. Social networking sites, chatrooms and internet forums are buzzing with the story and people are pressing for answers.

As one commentator asked, "Is the Lagos press going to investigate the obvious issues in this case, or are they going to protect their colleagues? Where did the journalists and their driver get a whopping N3 million that they admitted the kidnappers took from them? Under what conditions does the NUJ go around the country to give “awards” to politicians, and what was Governor Akpabio’s award for?

Are members of the NUJ executive immune to the provisions of the Money Laundering Act of 2004?”
Another commentator asked, “Can journalists who collect transport fare and mobilization fees report a governor professionally? This is a big scandal,” he added.


http://saharareporters.com/real-news/sr-headlines/6585-kidnappings-freed-journalists-dogged-by-bribery-and-money-laundering-allegations.html

Thanks to Almighty God for His mercies and blessings, thank you for open the door when I least expected. Glory is to your name for all what you have done in my life, you deserve all the praises.

Thank to my mother, I appreciate your love and sufferings for me. You stood out among your peers; you were not discouraged by the death of your soul mate at a very early stage of your life. You gave me education even though you didn’t have any. I am happy for you today that your efforts were not in vain.

Gratitude to my uncle, you are a blessing to our family. 13 years ago, you found me job for my 1 year industrial training, I felt bad when you insisted after the program that I should continue to work and see myself through the remaining part of my education with meager salary of N2, 000. Thank God, even though the road was very tough, I laugh at last.

Many thanks to my wife Afolake, my very good friend Kolawole Saidi and my lovely sister Mojisola, you play a vital roles in my life.

Thanks to Alhaji Adamzon, you believed in me, and proved the enemies wrong, you gave me the opportunity that transformed my life, I pray that Almighty God will continue to reward you abundantly.

Thanks to my cousin and her husband who provided me and my family shelter for 13 Solid months when I arrived in the USA to start a new life.

Last but not the list, my thanks to those friends and colleagues at PHY who make my life miserable out of jealousy, your actions actually open the door of my success as people who were touched by your jealous and hatred for my inspiring career introduced me to those who gave me the opportunity that transform my life.

I won't mind meeting u, I live in Florida, let me have ur e-mail so that we can meet

kola_yusuf:
The first thing you need to know is that these kind of pension packages are not unusual for public office holders throughout the world. It might be instructive to check the pension packages for public office holders in order countries and compare. In fact there are at least 8 states in Nigeria, which have such pension bills already. In fact the Gombe State governor is currently in court for claiming pension payments paid after his first term in office, whereas he is into his second term just like Dr. Bukola Saraki.

Secondly, I have quoted the origin and chronology of the bill, and if you choose not to believe the public record, I will have to conclude that you have made up your mind already, but let me quote some more documentation for you.

EXCERPT FROM MEDIA CHAT (May 29th, 2007)
GOV. BUKOLA SARAKI: I think you are right there. There has been a lot of misrepresentation. First of all, it was first presented that it was an executive bill, and then later everybody found out that the governor had nothing to do with it – it was a private bill. Then the discussions went on the pension. I was able to get a copy of it, and I made my own comments through the chief of staff on my own ideas or my own views and some of the issues that were being presented. These are my personal views. I made my own views that some of these are not necessary. The issue for example, of annual vacation, allowances, talking about building houses for governors or deputy governors. I personally said I don’t want that. Talking about the issue of even the allowances due, pension, I even said cut it down to 50%– they were recommending 100%. These are all stated and documented to show that definitely on my own side that is not what it is all about – it’s all about service. Even up till now I’ve not signed the bill, because I’m still going back to the house on this issue of 50%. I want them to have a second look at that, and one or two other areas. I know at least about 8 states have been operating similar pension schemes all over the country and as you have not heard much noise in the media about it, but that is not the point. I am looking at the resources and capacity of the state and the ability to be able to meet it. Definitely I will see what can be done in that area. I am still looking at it, and I’m sending it back to the house very soon to have a second look and see what they can again shave off. I will address that. That is from my own point of view.”

PRESS RELEASE - April 21st 2010
Bill for the Pension Payment of Governor and Deputy passed into law
The Kwara State House of Assembly has passed into law the bill for the payment of pension of Governor and Deputy Governor of the State, just as consideration was given to the nine amendments made on the bill by Governor Bukola Saraki.

The passage of the bill was sequel to a unanimous decision of the lawmakers after a substantive motion by the majority leader, Hon. Ishola Balogun Fulani.

Governor Saraki, had before the passage of the bill, forwarded a letter to the House expressing his views which sought amendment of certain provisions in the said bill.

In the letter addressed to the Speaker, Alhaji Babatunde Mohammed, dated April 12 and endorsed by the immediate past Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr Ali Ahmad, Dr Saraki proposed nine amendments to the bill in which all but one were accepted and ratified by the House.

Governor Saraki had in the letter advised the House to extend entitlements under the payment of pension to all democratically elected Governors and Deputy Governors of the State since 1967 in line with the position of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA).

Also suggested was a reduction in the annual basic salary of the Governor and Deputy Governor to 50% of the annual basic salary of the incumbent Governor and Deputy Governor as posited by the NBA.

However, the House insisted on 100% as was originally stipulated in the bill, arguing that this was in accordance with standard practice the world over.

On the Governor or Deputy Governor who served only one term, Saraki suggested that provision of transportation should be limited to one personal car and one security car, rather than local transportation expenses. In addition, the beneficiary would also be entitled to one administrative officer and one personal secretary, being staff provision.

The House equally agreed with the Governor’s suggestion that two cars and one security car be provided for Governor and one car and one security for Deputy Governor that served for two consecutive terms as well as provision of security details at their residences.

The House concurred with Dr Saraki that annual vacation should not be part of the entitlement but maintained that provision be made for travel expenses for Governors for journeys within the country.

The Governor stressed that the idea of provision of a residential house in the Federal Capital Territory should be discarded by the House as opined by NBA.

However, the only suggestion turned down by the House had to do with the provision that a former Governor and Deputy Governor be paid the same annual salaries of the incumbent Governor and Deputy Governor as their pension allowance.

In his remark before the passage of the bill, the Speaker, Alhaji BAbatunde Mohammed said the legislature would continue to put into consideration the yearnings and aspirations of the common man in the discharge of its legislature duties.

The House, he said had done justice to the bill and maintained that it would enhance efficient service delivery as well as accountability in governance.

By this passage by the State Assembly, the bill for the payment of pension of Executive Governor and Deputy Governor has become a full-fledged law in Kwara State.


MAS’ UD ADEBIMPE
Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara State Governor
21/04/10

Thank you very much for exposing other criminals. It is not surprise to hear about other criminals who continue to mortgage the future of their people for their own selfish interest. You talk of world standard, when it will benefit you and your god father; you fail to tell us that those country that have standard are not struggling to give the best education to their people, health care is not a luxury, buying and selling of justice is not part of their way, their road net work deserve praise, rate of unemployment is reasonable and more and more. Tell me where Governorship forum is a standard all over the world; it is design by criminals to continue to oppress us. You have equally failed to tell us about those leaders who forgo all their benefit just for the sake of their people. Please, tell me another story, your pay masters is a criminal simple.

Saraki Bukola is a criminal period look for better product to market

Kwara State Gov. Bukola Saraki's Criminal Past Surfaces
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Monday, 13 April 2009 12:08

British Passport of Bukola Saraki
Saharareporters is now in possession of criminal charges filed December 7, 1990 against the current Kwara State Governor, Bukola Saraki, and his sibling, Senator Gbemisola Saraki, pertaining to their work in the defunct (but now resurrected) Societe Generale Bank of Nigeria (SGBN). The charge sheet obtained by our correspondent reveals that the Commissioner of Police in Lagos filed the charges of stealing and forgery against Dr. Olubukola Saraki, Mr. Tokunbo Salami, Mr. Jude Iluyomade, Miss Gbemi Saraki and Mr. Moh Basir Abdu Kadiri. Among other counts, the police charged the accused with stealing N510, 000 belonging to Societe General Bank of Nigeria (SGBN) in which the Saraki family had a controlling stake.

An Abuja-based senior advocate of Nigeria who reviewed the documents told our correspondent that the discovery “means that Governor Bukola Saraki and his sister, Senator Gbemi Saraki, must have lied in their electoral nomination forms having failed to disclose their criminal history when they filed papers to run for elective office in 2003 and 2007.”
Based on the discovery, Saharareporters’ investigators have determined that Governor Bukola Saraki does not share the same mother with Gbemisola Saraki as commonly believed. Our investigations reveal that the governor was born to a Jamaican mother who met the elder Olusola Saraki in London where she was a nurse and he practiced medicine. Saharareporters is still working to find the real name of Gov. Saraki’s mother. But one of our sources disclosed that the governor “has reunited with and resettled his mother in a lavish home in a Caribbean nation.”

In the past, Saharareporters has detailed Gov. Saraki’s extensive money laundering activities. Our investigations reveal that most of his declared assets were acquired following the collapse of his family’s banking venture and after he assumed the position of governor.

After the Saraki’s co-conspirators were arrested and charged with stealing, they headed for a Lagos High Court to seek an injunction against their trial. But Justice Abiodun Kesington of the Lagos High Court, who had initially granted them an injunction, later revoked it, granting the Nigerian police the go-ahead to commence their trial.
Governor Bukola Saraki


Saraki's 1990 Rapsheet

The initial restraining injunction was obtained through suit number LD/1936/90. However, in a ruling on 4th April 1991, Justice Kesington agreed with the Commissioner of Police that the prosecution of the Sarakis and their co-conspirators was in order.

A police source familiar with the case told Saharareporters that corrupt former military head of state, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, ordered the trial stopped in an attempt to win the support of Dr. Olusola Saraki for his tireless effort to scuttle his own transition program in the early 1990s.

Subsequently, the Saraki family, including the governor, his father, Dr. Olusola Saraki, his stepmother and other siblings, were emboldened in their practice of stealing from Societe Generale Bank. Their looting spree eventually ran the bank out of business.

kola_yusuf:
First let me correct a wrong impression. I am not Kola Yusuf of the House of Representatives. Secondly, the proceedings of any State Assembly are a matter of public record. If you claim that Dr. Bukola Saraki has indeed signed the bill, and you have not checked the public records, then you are being unfair to Dr. Bukola Saraki and the other members of this forum. What is public knowledge is this:

- The bill was sponsored by Hon. Ishola Balogun Fulani, the Majority House Leader
- On March 26, 2010, a public hearing to collate the views of interested groups and individuals was held
- On April 12 2010, Dr. Saraki proposed nine amendments to the bill
- On April 21st, a statement was released saying that the bill had been passed
- On May 29th, Dr. Bukola Saraki publicly stated that the bill had not been signed into law.

If anyone wants to point fingers, then they should be pointing fingers at the state assembly, not Dr. Bukola Saraki. It is the state assembly that has refused to slash the pension package as it is insisting that that is the standard all over the world, without considering the resources of Kwara as a state. That is exactly why Dr. Bukola Saraki has not signed the controversial bill. Please LFJ check the records.

I think you should be proud of who you are. I don’t want to argue with you over the issue of this bill because the public know the truth already. You said, the bill was sponsored by Hon. Ishola Balogun Fulani, the Majority House Leader, before man and God can you say a member of the house will just imagine and come up with such bill. What do you think the man stand to gain to come up with such bill, in what way is that bill represent the interest of people of Kwara State or even his own constituency? The story that one dumb honorable sponsor that bill is in itself a fraud. The man was used by Saraki to present his wish.
For clarity purpose, tell me in what way you think this is in the interest of Kwara State;

• [b]Any person who held office as an elected governor of deputy governor (referred to in this Law as a public office holder) shall be entitled to the payment of pension at the rate equivalent to the annual basic salary of the incumbent governor of deputy governor and other benefits as provided by the revenue mobilization allocation and fiscal commission.

• Any person duly elected as public office holder shall upon the successful completion of term be entitled to a grant of pension for life by the state; provided that such a person shall not be entitled to a grant of pension under this law if he was removed from office by the process of impeachment or for breach of any provision of the constitution.

• The sum payable as pension under the provisions of this law shall be charged upon the consolidated revenue fund of the state.

1. The total emolument of the public office holder shall include salary, allowance and fringe benefits as contained in the schedule to this law.

2. Subject to the provisions of section 124 of the Constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria 1999, the pension mentioned in this law shall be payable at the expiration of the tenure of the holder of office.

3. Where the public office holder vacates office.

4. Where the public office holder dies in office.

5. Subject to the provision of section 1(1) of this law, any person who has held office as governor or deputy governor from the year 1999 shall be entitled to this pension scheme.

6. There shall be provided to the governor or deputy governor.

7. A pension or gratuity payable under this law shall not be assignable or transferable or liable to the withheld, attached or levied for the purpose of satisfying: (a) A debt due to federal or state government (b) An order of any court for the payment of periodical sums of money towards the maintenance of the wife or former wife or child of the person in respect of whom the pension has become payable.

1. In this law, where it is expressly provided or the context otherwise requires.

2. This law may be cited as the public office holder (payment of pension) law 2009.

D. Accommodation: (i) One residential house each for the governor and deputy at any location of their choice in Kwara state; (ii) One residential house in the federal capital territory of the governor on two consecutive terms.

E. Annual Vacation: (iii) 30 days annual vacation outside Nigeria with 30 days estacodes and travel allowances for the governor.

F. Transport: Travel expenses allowances for the governor. (a) Three cars for the governor and in addition one pilot and two backup cars to be replaced every three years en bloc.

G. Furniture: Payable every two years en bloc.

H. Domestic staff: Cook, steward, gardener and other domestic staff who shall be pensionable.

I. Medical: Free medical treatment for the governor and deputy governor and members of their immediate families.

J. Security: To be provided as listed below: Two SSS details for the governor and one female officer one SSS detail for the deputy governor. Eight policemen (one each for house and personal security) for the governor. Two policemen (one each for house and personal security) for the deputy governor.

K. Drivers: Pensionable. [/b]
If you argue that there is amendment to the above bill, then let see the latest one and subject it to public debate. If your pay master is not in any way aware of that bill he will not even consider an amendment to that bill talk less of signing the bill. “Iron pa ro fun ro”

Becomrich0:
LFL , Kunle sulyman. Is of DPP , i read online. why dont you show everybody where you go the link from


news.biafranigeriaworld.com/archive/2003/apr/02/060.html


So you think biafranigeriaworld.com own by Biafra main man in the USA chuck Odili of nigeriaworld.com


So since you forgot the biafra flag in your article , let me help you put it there.

https://www.russellgreer.com/images/Flag_of_Biafra.svg.png

Becomerich0
what is your point, this is the link you are looking for; where did I mention Kunle sulyman ? How is the name Kunle Sulman the same as Kola Yusuf?
http://www.saharareporters.com/real-news/sr-headlines/5872-kwarans-lampoon-governor-bukola-sarakis-fraudulent-executive-bill.html

I find it very difficula

kola_yusuf:
Dr. Bukola Saraki has already addressed this issue. The bill was sponsored by the Majority Leader in the State Assembly. It was not the brainchild of Dr. Bukola Saraki, and he has vowed not to sign the bill until it is reviewed substantially downwards. He talked about it in his last media chat, which I have excerpted:


THE PUNCH Monday 7th January, 2010
Governor Bukola Saraki of Kwara State has vowednot to sign the Pension Bill passed by the state House of Assembly until some controversial areas are resolved, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

Speaking on Saturday at a media chat, the governor said that the executive would soon return the bill to the Assembly with a view to amending some of the controversial areas.

He said, “There are many controversial issues in it and I will not sign the bill because I am sending it back to the House for them to take a look at some of the issues therein.

“I know that about eight states are now operating similar pension schemes, but some things must be amended.”

The governor explained that he was more concerned about the resources of the state and the ability to implement the bill, saying, “definitely the bill will return to the House for a second look and to see what they can shave off from it.”

Saraki said that after getting a copy of the bill, he made his personal views and comments known to the Assembly, pointing out that some of the provisions contained in the bill were “unnecessarily frivolous.”



INTERVIEW

BIODUN FAGBEMI: Your Excellency Sir, there is this issue of pension issue for former governors and so many comments are going about in the town as relates to the pension matter. I wouldn’t know if you can please clarify the issue about the pension issue.

GOV. BUKOLA SARAKI: I think you are right there. There has been a lot of misrepresentation. First of all, it was first presented that it was an executive bill, and then later everybody found out that the governor had nothing to do with it – it was a private bill. Then the discussions went on the pension. I was able to get a copy of it, and I made my own comments through the chief of staff on my own ideas or my own views and some of the issues that were being presented. These are my personal views. I made my own views that some of these are not necessary. The issue for example, of annual vacation, allowances, talking about building houses for governors or deputy governors. I personally said I don’t want that. Talking about the issue of even the allowances due, pension, I even said cut it down to 50%– they were recommending 100%. These are all stated and documented to show that definitely on my own side that is not what it is all about – it’s all about service. Even up till now I’ve not signed the bill, because I’m still going back to the house on this issue of 50%. I want them to have a second look at that, and one or two other areas. I know at least about 8 states have been operating similar pension schemes all over the country and as you have not heard much noise in the media about it, but that is not the point. I am looking at the resources and capacity of the state and the ability to be able to meet it. Definitely I will see what can be done in that area. I am still looking at it, and I’m sending it back to the house very soon to have a second look and see what they can again shave off. I will address that. That is from my own point of view.”

The full interview is at: http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150191953710508
You can also see the Punch article at: http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201006071455592

I find it very difficult to believe that a member of the house of rep. will come here to tell us lies; a member of federal house for that matter, the bill was signed by Bukola months ago. It is a well known fact, that your friend, your god father is a criminal. Saraki is a criminal, a thief, selfish and greedy. The worst of Jonathan is better than the best of Saraki. The display of maturity and loyalty by Jonathan during the period of Yar adua illness is what Bukola and his father can never match. They will rather prefer to go any length to take that power even if that will mean the end of Nigeria than allow destiny to prevail. Let them continue their evil in Kwara state, when it is the right time, God will rescue us. As I said, continue to market your bad product for your own selfish reasons.

[b]SARAKI IS A CRIMINAL BUKOLA IS A CRIMINAL[/b]

Kwarans lampoon Governor Bukola Saraki's Fraudulent Executive Bill PDF | Print | E-mail
Wednesday, 21 April 2010 06:21

Bukola Saraki
The Kwara State Stakeholders Forum has cried out against Governor Bukola Saraki’s Executive Bill, one section of which it describes as “self-serving, self-seeking and selfish.”In a public petition, the Forum laments the failure of the EFCC and the ICPC, for over seven years, to investigate the “large-scale rip-off that has characterized governance under Governor Bukola Saraki’s administration.” “We have invited the anti-corruption bodies, the EFCC and the ICPC, to look into the books of the government of the state since 2003 when Bukola Saraki took over the rein of power but we are yet to see any action taken by the two anticorruption bodies.”

The Forum describes Governor Saraki as a “sacred cow who has been living above the law of the land.”

Signed by Chief Wole Oke, Barrister Kunle Sulyman, and Comrade Bisi Fakayode on behalf of the Forum, the petition said, “The bill is heartless and shows no trait whatsoever of concern and compassion for the people of the sate, the preponderance of whom are peasant farmers who find it really difficult to even pay for the university education of a single child in an average family of four children. The bill is callous and very insensitive to the welfare needs of the people.”

They called on the House of Assembly either to throw out the bill completely, or dilute it comprehensively to reflect the economic realities of the state and to demonstrate that the legislators are conscious of the priority needs of their constituents.

They further warned: “Our legislators should not be party to his subtle design of executive grand larceny.”

Full text below:

The Kwara State Stakeholders Forum

c/o Dr. Amuda Aluko (Tafida of Ilorin)



Who Will Save Kwarans From Governor Bukola Saraki’s Executive Bill?

For the upward of seven years now, the concerned people of Kwara state have been drawing public attention to the large-scale rip-off that has characterized governance under Governor Bukola Saraki’s administration. We have invited the anti-corruption bodies, the EFCC and the ICPC, to look into the books of the government of the state since 2003 when Bukola Saraki took over the rein of power but we are yet to see any action taken by the two anticorruption bodies.

To us, Bukola Saraki has become a sacred cow who has been living above the law of the land. However, as patriots and concerned citizens, we remain undaunted in our efforts to see that the law takes its course. We present below the latest efforts of Bukola Saraki government to ensure its continuous bleeding of the state, even after the expiration of its two terms in office on May 29, 2011. We present hereunder, for public attention, excerpts from the ten-section obnoxious executive bill, which Governor Bukola Saraki has sent to the state House of Assembly. The sections considered relevant to this write-up are 1,2,3,6,8 and the SCHEDULE.



“A LAW TO MAKE PROVISIONS FOR PESNSION [SIC] OF EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR AND DEPUTRY GOVERNOW OR KWARA STATE AND OTHER MATTERS CONNECTED HEREWITH. THE KWARA STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY enacts as follows:



1. (1) Any person who held office as an elected governor of deputy governor (referred to in this Law as a public office holder) shall be entitled to the payment of pension at the rate equivalent to the annual basic salary of the incumbent governor of deputy governor and other benefits as provided by the revenue mobilization allocation and fiscal commission.

(2) Any person duly elected as public office holder shall upon the successful completion of term be entitled to a grant of pension for life by the state; provided that such a person shall not be entitled to a grant of pension under this law if he was removed from office by the process of impeachment or for breach of any provision of the constitution.

(3) The sum payable as pension under the provisions of this law shall be charged upon the consolidated revenue fund of the state.

1. The total emolument of the public office holder shall include salary, allowance and fringe benefits as contained in the schedule to this law.

2. Subject to the provisions of section 124 of the Constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria 1999, the pension mentioned in this law shall be payable at the expiration of the tenure of the holder of office.

3. Where the public office holder vacates office.

4. Where the public office holder dies in office.

5. Subject to the provision of section 1(1) of this law, any person who has held office as governor or deputy governor from the year 1999 shall be entitled to this pension scheme.

6. There shall be provided to the governor or deputy governor.

7. A pension or gratuity payable under this law shall not be assignable or transferable or liable to the withheld, attached or levied for the purpose of satisfying: (a) A debt due to federal or state government (b) An order of any court for the payment of periodical sums of money towards the maintenance of the wife or former wife or child of the person in respect of whom the pension has become payable.

1. In this law, where it is expressly provided or the context otherwise requires.

2. This law may be cited as the public office holder (payment of pension) law 2009.

D. Accommodation: (i) One residential house each fore the governor and deputy at any location of their choice in Kwara state; (ii) One residential house in the federal capital territory of the governor on two consecutive terms.

E. Annual Vacation: (iii) 30 days annual vacation outside Nigeria with 30 days estacodes and travel allowances for the governor.

F. Transport: Travel expenses allowances for the governor. (a) Three cars for the governor and in addition one pilot and two backup cars to be replaced every three years en bloc.

G. Furniture: Payable every two years en bloc.

H. Domestic staff: Cook, steward, gardener and other domestic staff who shall be pensionable.

I. Medical: Free medical treatment for the governor and deputy governor and members of their immediate families.

J. Security: To be provided as listed below: Two SSS details for the governor and one female officer one SSS detail for the deputy governor. Eight policemen (one each for house and personal security) for the governor. Two policemen (one each for house and personal security) for the deputy governor.

K. Drivers: Pensionable.


OUR VIEWS



ON SECTION 6: The bill is self-serving, self-seeking and selfish.

Civilian administration began in Kwara state in 1979 when Alhaji Adamu Atta was the first democratically elected Executive Governor of the state and Alhaji Jimoh Shittu was the deputy governor. Alhaji Adamu Atta who is still alive governed for four years, October 1, 1979 to September 30, 1983. He was not impeached. Chief C.O. Adebayo, having defeated the incumbent governor Alhaji Adamu Atta in the governorship election of 1983 became the second executive governor and ruled the state between October 1, 1983 until the military took over in December 30, 1983. Chief C.O. Adebayo was not impeached.

He is still alive although his deputy, Alhaji Usman Abatemi, has died. In January 1992, Alhaji Shaaba Lafiago was sworn in as the third executive governor of the state having been popularly elected in a democratically conducted election. He governed between January 1992 and November 17, 1993 when the army took over the control of the nationa [sic]. Alhaji Shaaba was not impeached. He still alive [sic] today though his deputy, Chief Ojo Fadumila has died.

Under the current 4th republic, which commenced in 1999, Alhaji Mohammed Lawal had ruled the state for four years before Bukola Saraki defeated him in an election in 2003. Alhaji Mohammed Lawal unfortunately is dead. It is noteworthy that Bukola’s bill is now made retroactive to take effect from 1999 which makes Lawal and Bukola the only beneficiaries of the new law being contemplated. However, in reality the only beneficiary of the law is Bukola since Lawal has died over two years ago.

We say the proposed bill under construction in the House of Assembly is selfish, self-seeking and self-serving. Only recently, the National Assembly passed a similar law in respect of pension for former democratically elected presidents and heads of state. That law was made retroactive to take effect from the first republic and that is why Alhaji Shahu Shagari and Dr. Ekwueme, the duo who steered the ship of the nation between 1979 and 1983 as president and vice president respectively are automatic beneficiaries of the bill recently passed into law by the National Assembly.

That is why Olusegum Obasanjo is a beneficiary of the law. Why has Bukola’s bill so designed in a way that he is effectively the sole beneficiary? We are saying the law should be made to include all those who have governed the state since 1979. They have offered meritorious service to the people of the state selflessly and conscientiously. To decide to exclude them as Bukola proposes in his bill to the House of Assembly is mean and petty, it is demonstrative of a total lack of statesmanship and foresight since no condition is permanent and no success is forever.

On section 8- We ask why should the private debt of a former governor be the concern of the state? How he expends his pension should not be part of the law. If Bukola has any debt to settle after leaving office, he should not make his private affairs part of a law that should stand for all time. That section of the bill should be totally expunged.

On the schedule- We are flabbergasted by the contents of the schedule attached to the bill, which spells out the responsibilities of the people of the state have to shoulder in order to help a former governor continue to maintain his standard of living as if he were still a serving governor. The schedule demonstrates Bukola Saraki’s lack of consideration for the economic stature and status of the state, a state which depends almost entirely on allocation from the federation account; a state that is often derisively referred to as “civil service state” because of its low level of industrial development.

Under item D of the schedule- Bukola Saraki is asking for “one residential house in the federal capital territory for the governor of two consecutive terms.” This, to us, is the height of a law made to suit that personal need of an individual. Bukola is the only person who is into a second term as governor of the state, hence the only beneficiary of that provision. Moreover, we ask, can the finance of the state (where internally generated revenue under Bukola Saraki’s administration today is below N300,000,000 per month, coupled with the uncertainty in the level of monthly inflow from the federation account to Kwara state) accommodate such private luxury of a former governor? In another context, what is the correlation between a former governor being provided a luxury mansion in Abuja and the people of Kwara state and their priority needs.

Why the caveat of a two-term governor? Our contention is that a law should not be made to suit the whims and caprices of an individual or to gratify an individual’s insatiable appetite for acquisition of property. A law is not to satisfy the desire of a single person but rather a law is expected to be made to endure and serve the people. Our belief at this point is that Bukola is merely coveting the Kwara state government mansion built by the state government and serving as the state liaison office in Abuja. The proposed law lacks human face; it is wicked and inconsiderate. How can a governor, under whose administration, the sate’s civil servants are the least paid in the country; under whose administration students are not enjoying scholarship awards; under whose administration the rural area are crying for attention to be provided with the most basic necessities of life like portable water [sic], electricity and all-season motorable roads; under whose administration pupils in primary schools are still learning under the shade of trees because there are no classrooms; under whose administration civil servants are marking time on the same grade level for six years without getting the promotion due to them; under whose administration the state has been recording mass failure in NECO examination for the past several years because there are no materials and equipment for students, particularly in the science laboratories; under whose administration pensioners are not paid their dues, a situation which has led to the death of uncountable number of pensioners while awaiting payment of their pension arrears and, which has led this class of citizens (pensioners) of the state, who have conscientiously and faithfully served their fatherland, to being compelled to drag the state to provide him with six cars every three years; pay 300percent of his annual basic salary for furniture allowance; free medical treatment for him and members of his immediate family (presumably in hospitals in any part of the world), when basic primary healthcare delivery is not even available to the citizens under the current Bukola administration and when the very basic necessities of life for the people cannot even be met by the sate under this same Bukola Saraki administration.

The bill is heartless and shows no trait whatsoever of concern and compassion for the people of the sate, the preponderance of whom are peasant farmers who find it really difficult to even pay for the university education of a single child in an average family of four children. The ill is callous and very insensitive to the welfare needs of the people.

To us, this is an anachronism! Out of power, Bukola still wants to continue to intimidate us with his siren with which he wants to continue to chase us out of the road whenever he is passing by. No way! The Kwara state House of Assembly for the sake of their own names and for the sake of their progeny, in the interest of their integrity and most importantly in the interest of Kwarans whom they claim to represent, should either throw out the bill completely or comprehensively water it down to reflect the economic realities of the state and to demonstrate that they (the legislators) are conscious of the priority needs of their constituents. Our legislators should not be party tot his subtle design of executive grand larceny. Kwarans, shine your eyes.

Signed by:

Chief Wole Oke

Barrister Kunle Sulyman

Comrade Bisi Fakayode

As a member of federal house of rep. it is surprising that you can come over here to preach to us about Saraki as if we are new to Nigerian system. Kola_Yusuf, I have a lot of respect for you, but don’t come here with this campaing, will know better. They will surely give you another opportunity to go back to the house, but don't come here to add to our pains. What can you say about this executive bill approve for Saraki and his deputy by criminals in the state house.

“A LAW TO MAKE PROVISIONS FOR PESNSION [SIC] OF EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR AND DEPUTRY GOVERNOW OR KWARA STATE AND OTHER MATTERS CONNECTED HEREWITH.  THE KWARA STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY enacts as follows:



1. (1) Any person who held office as an elected governor of deputy governor (referred to in this Law as a public office holder) shall be entitled to the payment of pension at the rate equivalent to the annual basic salary of the incumbent governor of deputy governor and other benefits as provided by the revenue mobilization allocation and fiscal commission.

(2) Any person duly elected as public office holder shall upon the successful completion of term be entitled to a grant of pension for life by the state; provided that such a person shall not be entitled to a grant of pension under this law if he was removed from office by the process of impeachment or for breach of any provision of the constitution.

(3) The sum payable as pension under the provisions of this law shall be charged upon the consolidated revenue fund of the state.

1. The total emolument of the public office holder shall include salary, allowance and fringe benefits as contained in the schedule to this law.

2. Subject to the provisions of section 124 of the Constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria 1999, the pension mentioned in this law shall be payable at the expiration of the tenure of the holder of office.

3. Where the public office holder vacates office.

4. Where the public office holder dies in office.

5. Subject to the provision of section 1(1) of this law, any person who has held office as governor or deputy governor from the year 1999 shall be entitled to this pension scheme.

6. There shall be provided to the governor or deputy governor.

7. A pension or gratuity payable under this law shall not be assignable or transferable or liable to the withheld, attached or levied for the purpose of satisfying: (a) A debt due to federal or state government (b) An order of any court for the payment of periodical sums of money towards the maintenance of the wife or former wife or child of the person in respect of whom the pension has become payable.

1. In this law, where it is expressly provided or the context otherwise requires.

2. This law may be cited as the public office holder (payment of pension) law 2009.

D. Accommodation: (i) One residential house each fore the governor and deputy at any location of their choice in Kwara state; (ii) One residential house in the federal capital territory of the governor on two consecutive terms.

E. Annual Vacation: (iii) 30 days annual vacation outside Nigeria with 30 days estacodes and travel allowances for the governor.

F. Transport: Travel expenses allowances for the governor. (a) Three cars for the governor and in addition one pilot and two backup cars to be replaced every three years en bloc.

G. Furniture: Payable every two years en bloc.

H. Domestic staff: Cook, steward, gardener and other domestic staff who shall be pensionable.

I. Medical: Free medical treatment for the governor and deputy governor and members of their immediate families.

J. Security: To be provided as listed below: Two SSS details for the governor and one female officer one SSS detail for the deputy governor.  Eight policemen (one each for house and personal security) for the governor.  Two policemen (one each for house and personal security) for the deputy governor.

K. Drivers: Pensionable.

Revisionists are everywhere. For the most part they are attempting to rework history by allowing their prejudices, illiteracy, and preconceived notions to cloud their reasoning. These critics have become masters at injecting willful fallacies, calculated falsehood
and historical nonsense into history; and in so doing, have began to cast aspersions on the memory of the great Obafemi Awolowo.

 Chief Obafemi Awolowo (born March 6, 1909) was a political giant with an extraordinary mind and talent. He was graceful, charismatic and purposeful. Most of all
he had vision, and was a nice and decent human being! Yes, Chief Awolowo had his shortcomings. He was not a saint. However, his failings and missteps were far fewer and less injurious than those of his contemporaries. Within the context of Nigerian, and indeed within African politics, Awolowo had no equal. None!



He towered above his contemporaries. Not only that -- all the leaders we’ve had since his exit from government and politics have been political dwarfs. One would be hard-pressed to name a political leader in Nigeria -- since the second-half of the twentieth century – who did more for his people and for his country than Awolowo.

Awolowo was not a President. He was the Premier of the Western Region of Nigeria from October 1, 1954 until December 15, 1959. Nonetheless, his accomplishments dwarf the combined achievements of the last five heads of government Nigeria has had. And so from now until eternity his contribution to Nigeria’s socioeconomic and political life will be remembered and appreciated by discerning minds. As a federal minister under General Yakubu Gowon from June 12, 1967 to June 30 1971, he saved Nigeria from self immolation.



From the time he began his political career until his passing to the heavens -- his two great public missions were to make Nigeria better than the way he met it; and also, to secure Nigeria’s economic, social and political future for the next generation. But he was unable to achieve his presidential dream because he refused to compromise his principles; refused to betray his constituent and his conscience; and also refused to bow to the whims of the Colonialist. In addition, he refused to obey orders given by Dodan Barracks.



For these and other reasons, therefore, he was denied the ultimate political prize: the Presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Because he was denied this political prize, Nigeria has remained in the doldrums ever since. In Chief Awolowo, we lost the brightest star we’ve ever had and may have to wait another seventy-year for a man like him to take Nigeria to the Promised Land. Frankly, to say he was a statesman is an understatement. If he was an American or a European, the world would have placed him in the same league as Churchill, Roosevelt, Charles de Gaulle and many others.

We now have a budding school of shortsighted, narrow-minded, and mean- spirited critics who are into Awo-bashing: rewriting history, repeating age-old falsities, spreading lies and innuendoes and casting aspersions on the Great One. Charles Caleb Colton it was who said that “In life, we shall find many men that are great, and some men that are good, but very few men that are both great and good.” Chief Obafemi Awolowo was such a man. He was good. He was great. He was extraordinary in many ways. And so I
remember him today as I have since his passing on May 9, 1987.



Chief Awolowo was born at the right time, and lived his life in the right country. But whether our country was right for him is another question. His impact on the lives of millions of Nigerians is immeasurable. He lived his life for the people. More than two decades after his untimely passing, he remains the yardstick by which greatness is still measured in the most populous and most important country in the Black world.

Twenty years after his passing, Awolowo lives on. He lives through his friends and family. He lives through his disciples. He lives through the great things he did for Nigeria. He lives through his writings and sermons. He lives through his political accomplishments.

He lives through all those who believe in the goodness and kindness of the human spirit; and he lives through all those who genuinely believe in,
and invoke his name and ideals.

He truly was a truly great man. Because of his brilliance and strength of character, he was very much misunderstood and envied; and because most couldn’t measure up to his expectation and greatness, they vilified him. If you were not alive when Awolowo lived, or if you were not fortunate to have met him, well, let me tell you this: He was graceful. He was charismatic. He was purposeful. Most of all he had a clear vision of what he wanted for Nigeria and for humanity. Above all else, he was a nice and decent human being! Oh AWOLOWO!!



Within the context of Nigerian, and indeed within African politics, Awolowo had no equal. He towered above his colleagues. To truly appreciate his greatness, all you need do is to take a look at the men and women who now dot, and have dotted our public estate and public space. Do so and you’d be hard-pressed to name a political leader in Nigeria, in the last 50 years, who did more for his people and for his country than Awolowo. In him we lost the brightest star we ever had and may have to wait another seventy years for a man like him


As I think of Awolowo, I wonder what would have become of our country. I think of how far we would have gone in terms of human and economic development. I think of all the possibilities and the dreams and aspirations we had as a nation. I miss him. I miss a good man, I miss a great man. I cannot now remember who it was who said, “Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some people move our souls to dance. They awaken us to a new understanding with the passing whisper of their wisdom. Some people make the sky more beautiful to gaze upon. They stay in our lives for awhile.” Awolowo was this and much more. He will remain in our lives for eternity.



Written by Sabella Ogbobode Abidde