The Lumine News

Category: Opinion

What Is In A Name…. BY AGBA JALINGO

Edited

What Is In A Name….

If you are still entangled in that hog wash about how names determine destinies and the Jabez and Jacob fable, then let us have a conversation.

Bush is a shrub or clump of shrubs. But two Bushes (father and son), became Presidents of the US and their two sons became governors, and their mother became the only woman in America to be first lady and later first mother of the US.

A thatcher is a person whose job is making roofs from straw or reeds. Yet Margaret Thatcher rose to become the first female UK Prime Minister.

Rice – Is a grass or grain which is widely cultivated as a source of food. Yet Condoleezza Rice, rose to become America’s Secretary of State and she is also a Stanford University Professor.

Stout is a beer, yet Christy Lu Stout, a CNN presenter, is one of the most popular faces on Earth.

Dick is the male genital organ. Yet Dick Cheney became the Vice President of the US.

Pussy is the female genital organ. Yet Pussy Jones is known till date as one of the most successful and prolific rugby union centers, who played club rugby for Cardiff and international rugby for Wales.

Hemp is cannabis sativa. Yet Lauren Hemp became England’s Young Female Player of the Year in 2017, and still reigning as one of the best female footballers in the UK.

Bill means, a printed or written statement of the money owed for goods or services, in order words, debt. And Gate means, a hinged barrier. Yet Gill Gates, is the fifth richest man in the world.

Musk means, a strong-smelling reddish-brown substance secreted by the male musk deer. Yet Elon Musk is the richest man in the world.

Ṣóyínká means, I am surrounded by sorcerers. Yet Wole Soyinka became Africa’s first Nobel Laureate.

Fáyẹmí means, Ifá suits me. Yet Kayode Fayemi became governor and minister of the federal republic.

Fáyóṣé means, Ifá will do it. And Ifa did it for Ayo Fayose, who became governor of Ekiti State.

Tinúbú means,
ti – belonging to
inú – inside of
ibú – the deep (ocean). Yet the ocean boy became governor of Lagos and President of Nigeria.

Fáwẹ̀hìnmi means, Ifá watches my back. And Ifa watched the back of Gani Fawehinmi until he became Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Senior Advocate of the Masses and Nigeria’s most popular freedom fighter.

Fálànà means, Ifá cleared the path. And Ifa has cleared the path for Femi Falana who has also become a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and the most popular CSO voice in Nigeria today after the death of Fawehinmi. His wife is also a SAN.

Fáshọlá means, Ifá makes wealth. And God made Babatunde Fashola governor of Lagos state and Minister of the Federal Republic.

My mother’s name till her passing was ‘Uwhanye’, meaning Barren. Yet she saw her great grand children before she died.

Yet, we have seen so many people bearing Blessing, who have never been blessed. We have seen those bearing Abundance, who are living in lack. We have seen those bearing Marvelous, who are dangerous.

Whether anyone will succeed in this life is dependent on the level of work you put in and the grace of God that waters the work. It also depends on the knowledge you acquire and how you are able to use it to the benefit of the world. The meaning, the spelling, the sound or texture of your name has nothing to do with it unless in a nepotistic country like Nigeria where your ethnic group and your name is what determines whether you will succeed or not.

Yours sincerely,
Citizen Agba Jalingo.

Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author, Agba Jalingo, and does not represent TheLumineNews, its agent or the organization the author works for

September 12, 2024
Dear Minister Ojo, As You Investigate Afokang Prison…. BY AGBA JALINGO

Thank you for giving prompt attention to the situation in Afokang Prison in Calabar. As the investigation panel you have set up begins their work, I believe there are problems within the prison system that you already know.

I do not believe that the photos that our news platform, CrossRiverWatch, obtained from Afokang prison are a shock to you or that you are not aware that inmates are going through same and even worse conditions in different prisons across the country.

A combination of inadequate budgetary provision, corruption and low morale amongst personnel, has exposed inmates to some of the most terrible prison conditions in the whole world.

As you investigate Sir, my own suggestions on inmates feeding will be that:

1. Presently, inmates feeding is covered by procurement laws. Because of its nature, and the security implication it poses, inmates feeding should be done directly from the office of the CG of the Correctional Service, under Direct Contract Award, DCA. Should anything go wrong, we know who to hold accountable. This will reduce the pilfering in the present situation where top guns in the service share inmate’s feeding contracts amongst themselves and then resell, while some get kick backs before approving for a contractor.

2. The current approved cost of inmate ration is N1,125 per inmate, per day. Divide that by three square meals and it amounts to N375 per meal. With the very high cost of food items in the market now, it is common knowledge that N375, cannot afford a good meal in Nigeria today. They has to be supplementary appropriation to capture the rise in food prices.

3. Most of the ration contractors who supply food to the Correctional facilities are serving and/or retired top officers of the service and their cronies. They decide what to send to the officers heading various prisons who are usually called – “In-charge Stations”, to use for the purchase of inmates’ ration on a monthly basis. Having run stations as In-charges before, these ration contractors know the sharp practices involved and are aware that sometimes, public spirited individuals and organizations donate raw food items for inmates. This has to be corrected.

4. Out of the N1,125 per meal, per inmate, appropriated, most ration contractors give In-charge stations, a paltry N280 to N300 per meal per inmate.

5. Morale amongst the service personnel is so low due to low pay. They are poorly paid. Which is one of the reasons they continue to share inmates ration amongst themselves and facilitate trafficking of banned items into prison yards.

6. Officers are promoted without placement for more than a year. And when they are finally placed, promotional arrears are not paid. No training or course allowances, no transfer allowance. They print their ID cards in business centers. They don’t have uniformed IDs. They buy and sew their uniforms from the open markets.

7. The only time the service personnel see extra income is when they are made in-charge stations, and are close to retirement. And that becomes an opportunity to amass every available funds to settle themselves knowing that at retirement, their pension is nothing to write home about.

8. As a long term measure, the Correction Service should begin thinking of putting their various farm centers into maximum use so they can produce food that would be used to feed inmates.

Yours sincerely,
Citizen Agba Jalingo.

Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author, Agba Jalingo, and does not represent TheLumineNews, its agent or the organization the author works for

September 9, 2024
You Are Not Meant To Remain A Decorator Of Other People For Life; Others Will Also Decorate You And It Is Your God That Says So Not Man BY PETER OBELE ABUE

EPHPHATHA!

By giving full attention to a deaf man and finally commanding that his ears “be open”, Jesus fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah on him through the pronouncement of Ephphatha (which means ‘Open up’). “He took him away by himself, away from the crowd… looked up to heaven and with a groan said: Ephphatha! (Mk 7:33). Here, the old order has passed away; a person long abandoned, who was depressed and dispirited has come back to life. To this very person, the Prophet Isaiah had foretold that “the eyes of the blind will be opened, the ears of the deaf will be unsealed, the lame will leap like a deer and the tongue of the dumb sing for joy” (Is.35: 4-7).

Today, Ephphatha will be a heavenly pronouncement on you. The period of lack in your life is ended and God will finally bring you into a season of abundance. To you who has been waiting for so long… your era of lack has come to an end. Whether it is that period you have been waiting and no one seem bothered about you, or the period when sickness, joblessness, barrenness and even sin seem to have enveloped and blinded you to the extent that you failed to see God’s light clearly enough to plot a new path for yourself in life, Jesus says “Ephphata” to you! Open up that path that someone is blocking for you in your office, your life’s calling, your family, village or organization; wherever you find yourself.

You are not meant to remain a decorator of other people for life; others will also decorate you and it is your God that says so not man. You are that very special case in God’s hands; the one Jesus would “take off by himself away from the crowd… look up to heaven and with a groan say: Ephphatha!. All you need is trust in the saving power of God, go on your knees and put your doubts aside . Remember, it is not by power or might, nor is it by your wisdom or influence. God is in total control of your life, so “Be strong. Do not be afraid…your God is coming to save you” (Is. 35: 4).

Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author, Peter Obele Abue PhD, and does not represent TheLumineNews, its agent or the organization the author works for.

September 9, 2024
President Tinubu, Let The Poor Breathe BY INYALI PETER

Nigeria, blessed with an abundance of mineral resources, stands as one of the richest nations in the world. Yet, in a cruel twist of fate, it seems that when destiny endowed the country with these gifts, it overlooked the crucial element of commensurate leadership, leaving Nigeria to struggle in harnessing its vast human and mineral resources to achieve its rightful place as a great nation and giant of Africa.

Since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999, each successive administration has brought its own unique set of frustrations. Rather than building upon the progress of their predecessors, each president’s performance has been marked by a decline from the previous administration, with every government leaving the country in a more precarious state than when they took office.

When President Bola Tinubu campaigned on ‘Renewed Hope’ in 2023, Nigerians expected a leader who would revitalize their faith in the country. Given his successful tenure as Lagos governor from 1999-2007, many anticipated similar success nationwide. However, just over a year into his presidency, he has led Nigeria into one of its worst periods of hardship since the civil war, contradicting the lofty expectations that followed his inauguration.

The economic crisis has become suffocating, leaving citizens gasping for air despite the President’s promise to let the poor ‘breathe’. Hunger, anger, and hopelessness are strangling the nation, as everything that brings discomfort continues to rise. Workers can no longer feed their families, and unemployment is skyrocketing. The National Bureau of Statistics last Labour Force Survey shows a surge in unemployment, from 4.2% to 5.0% in just one quarter. With businesses collapsing and jobs being lost daily due to harsh economic policies, this is projected to continue to rise.

The private sector has however tried to bridge the gap but it’s not been enough as a large chunk of people are still struggling to survive because of unemployment or underemployment. The cultural reliance on relatives for support is also being stretched to the limit due to inflationary economy. Today, the concept of social class that assumes three general economic categories is utupia as the middle class is going extinct. The powerful rich upper class and the helpless lower class are the two categories that exist now in Nigeria.

Besides, before the enactment of the new national minimum wage act of N70,000, about fifteen states failed to implement the old one of N30,000. It is unlikely that these states that could not pay N30,000 would be willing to pay the new one which represents a 134% increase. Workers at all levels have become vulnerable because prices of goods and services keep rising while their pay remain largely stagnant.

The recent fuel price hike would only exacerbate the situation, with prices of building materials, rents, transport fares, food, and other essentials increasing overnight. It’s hard to see how workers as well as people without a steady income or viable business can survive in this environment. Even when the new minimum wage is fully implemented, it value will be limited; already a bag of rice, for example, is heading towards N100,000, a loaf of bread is over N2,000 while a basin of Garri costs around N50,000. How can Nigerians afford these basic necessities?

According to Statista 2022 report released a few months ago, 88.4 million Nigerians are living in extreme poverty. These numbers have not improved since the last report, and the government’s policies seem to be making things worse as the poverty level have deepened in the last one year. Rather than finding solutions, government seems to be interested only in raising revenue that are likely to be mismanaged or revolve around the pockets of a few greedy individuals.

However, as some people have said, there’s still enough time for the President to turn things around as he’s just a year and few months into his four-year term. But the decisions to drastically improve things must be taken urgently. For instance , there’s an urgent need to reduce the price of petroleum products, lower taxes on individuals and food items, reduce cost of the unavailable electricity, suspend Covid-19 loan recovery, defend the naira against foreign currencies, amongst others.

The psychological, emotional, social, and mental pressure on the poor masses have become unbearable. If more effort is not put into addressing the crisis and urgently too, the country may completely collapse. Section 14 (b) of the 1999 constitution says government exists purposely for the security and the welfare of the people, not the other way round, therefore, President Tinubu must allow the poor masses breathe.

-Inyali Peter, Ph.D.

September 6, 2024
Gov Umo Of Akwa Ibom State Is Certainly The Kind Of Leaders Nigeria Need To Take Her Out Of The Present Miasmas And Doldrum BY OKOI OBONO-OBLA

His Excellency, Governor, Pastor Bassey Eno Umo of Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria, is an exceptionally good man and a true clergy man, leader.

He is indeed a phenomenal and emerging Nigerian leader. He is humble,simple, and down to earth.
He is also kind and help those who need help without minding where they come from.

Today, Governor Bassey Uno will be visiting Ugep, Yakurr, Cross River State to commission a house he built for Mr Ubi Abam Obono.

Mr Ubi Abam Obono is the father of Miss Arit Abam Ubi. Miss Arit Abam Ubi was an NYSC member.
When she passed out of NYSC, she returned home smartly dressed and matched generically and majestically to salute her father smartly to thank him for all his efforts in seeing her through school.

A bewildered Mr. Abam Ubi Obono emerged out of his derelict and dilapidated house to welcome his daughter with subdued excitement.
Unknown to father and his daughter, the drama was recorded by a member of the household.

The video went viral and caught the attention of Governor Umo, who instantly decided to build a house for Mr Ubi Abam Obono out of compassion.

His Excellency, Governor Umo, is certainly the kind of leaders, Nigeria need to take her out of the present miasma and doldrum.
Let give Governor Umo,15 gbosas!!

September 4, 2024
Death In Jail, A Call To Action… BY AGBA JALINGO

Two awaiting trial inmates in Afokang Prison, in Calabar, Mr. Ntiero Effiong and Mr. Okon Eke, died two Wednesdays ago in their cells due to illnesses related to malnutrition. Another awaiting trial inmate died today Sunday in Cell A1, a cell holding over 79 inmates. The third inmate, an elderly man, was brought in since 2021 in good shape, but due to malnutrition, he developed multiple illnesses that saw parts of his body decaying.

It is worthy of note that all three dead inmates are awaiting trial detainees who were never convicted by any court, of the alleged crime(s) that took them to Afokang prison. They were still presumed innocent until proven otherwise. But they have died without a chance to defend themselves. Whether they were guilty or not, their friends, neighbours, family members and the world, would conclude that they committed crimes and were sent to go and die in jail. The guilt will live with their loved ones forever, yet they weren’t given a chance to defend themselves.

The new trending pictures and videos of what is served to inmates in Afokang Prison as food are horrible, to say the least. Higher authorities have to intervene and do something promptly. The federal government budgeted N24,447,582,237 for the feeding and welfare of inmates in 2024. The prison authorities also complained that the money isn’t adequate for the needs of the inmates. As at 26th of August 2024, the month that just ended yesterday, the total number of inmates in all the prisons in Nigeria was 84,575 and only 26,913 have been convicted. The remaining 57,662 are awaiting trial inmates and I can bet that more than 50 percent of them are innocent based on previous conviction statistics.

So before you conclude those who go to prison are criminals that must be allowed to suffer and die, you need those figures to get clarity that many of those who are there are actually there for no reason. Yours sincerely has been to several prisons for no reason. All the courts I was taken to, said I didn’t do any wrong and acquitted me. But I went through several jails. Such is the fate of many locked behind those iron bars. And for many of them, they may never get a fair chance to defend themselves like the three that have died and many others dying in jails across the country.

Catering to the needs and welfare of people in prisons is an injunction written in every known holy book of all known religions. It is not a favor that those who are free are doing to those who are held, it is rather a command to mankind to be our brother’s keeper, knowing that anyone can be a victim of a decayed society where we don’t watch out for one another.

Yours sincerely,
Citizen Agba Jalingo.

September 4, 2024
Remember Magistrates Too: Why State Governors Must Address Remuneration BY CONFIDENCE MBANG

Remember Magistrates Too: Why State Governors Must Address Remuneration.

Over the years, many concerned lawyers and activists have lent their voices to the welfare of judicial officers, including calls for an increment in wages. While there have always been some considerations, what seems to be a concrete success was realized this year with the passage of the “Bill for an Act to Prescribe the Salaries, Allowances, and Fringe Benefits of Judicial Office Holders in Nigeria and for Related Matters.” This executive bill, passed by the Senate on June 5th, 2024, and assented to by the President, led to a significant 300% increment in the salaries and allowances of judicial officers. While this is a commendable step towards improving the overall welfare of the judiciary, one might be tempted to ask about the fate of judicial umpires in the lower courts. In other words, are Magistrates and District Court Judges not entitled to an increment in remuneration?

The importance of the judiciary as an arm of government cannot be overemphasized. The judiciary acts as a middleman between the executive and legislature; it is indeed an umpire among the other branches of government and custodian of our corpus Juris Nigeriane. For purposes of clarity, the term “Judicial Officer,” as provided by Section 318 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), applies/refers only to Justices and Judges of the Superior Courts of record. It does not refer to Magistrates and District Court Judges. Therefore, the recent increment does not include Magistrates and other inferior officers.

The role of Magistrates in our justice system cannot be overemphasized. Empirical analysis reveals that it is not uncommon for a Magistrate to preside over a litany of cases in a single day’s sitting; I have appeared in court where the cause list had over 20 cases before a Magistrate. Although these courts have limited jurisdiction, it does not negate the fact that they handle most of the early cases from the common man in the society. To strengthen these officers, they require adequate remuneration for services rendered to the state. Indeed, they are the unsung heroes of the Judiciary.

Some Justices of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, and High Courts rose from the inferior courts, and they can attest to the financial and other challenges faced therein. Today, we celebrate the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Honourable Justice Kekere Ekun, who rose to the peak from being a Magistrate. I am most delighted because the CJN readily serves as a moral booster to serving Magistrates across the nation irrespective of the many challenges. Therefore, it would not be out of place to encourage Magistrates by reviewing their remuneration, the judiciary should not stop advocating now. The National Judicial Council (NJC), in collaboration with the State Judicial Service Commission, the Attorneys-General of the Federation and States, the NBA, the Magistrate Association of Nigeria (MAN), and other relevant stakeholders, should consider an increment in Magistrates’ remuneration. In 2008, the NJC recommended an increase in Magistrates’ salary, but same was never implemented. We hope that with the concerted efforts of the relevant stakeholders above, further recommendations would be considered.

In many states across the federation, Magistrates have been abandoned for several years to face their fate. In fact, I know of a state where 2007 was the last year the state government changed their official vehicles. Fast track to 2024, it has been over 15 years; many of these Magistrates are still in service – awaiting retirement, many now ride on bikes to court to preside over cases, some hire taxis, and some even miss sittings. It is unconscionable that the remuneration of Magistrates across states has lingered for close to two decades with no sign of improvement. Oh, when, how, where, and who will save our dear Magistrates? Do you know?

In light of the foregoing, the level of lack and want amongst Magistrates is responsible for their insecurity, lack of patriotism in service, bribery, and corruption, among other issues. The remuneration of Judges was enhanced, among other reasons, to curb bribery and corruption, strengthen the bench, and reinstate the confidence and patriotism of the bench. And I ask, why bathe a baby from the waist to the head? What happened to the legs? Better put, why not purge the entire judiciary instead of just a cadre of it?

Therefore, this is a clarion call to state governors and league of stakeholders to remember Magistrates in the scheme of things, increase their remuneration (salaries and allowances), and provide conducive environments for justice delivery. The good gesture towards our learned Judges should be extended to Magistrates. With these, we are sure of improved welfare, enhanced independence, attraction and retention of legal talents, boost morale and productivity, and reduction of corruption.

Confidence Mbang is an Abuja-based lawyer. ([email protected]

September 4, 2024
God Doesn’t Want Your Tithe; He Wants All You Have! BY FRED ABUA

For over twenty years, I’ve preached and taught that tithing is not a Christian practice. When I first made a vocal stand against this principle, some people left the church because they believed that I had suddenly become a heretic. Some stayed but assumed my stance meant they no longer needed to give at all. This reaction was disheartening, revealing a deep-seated adherence to dogma rather than an openness to biblical truth. I felt more so because some of these men and women, who I believed had trusted my teachings for so long – and should have known my heart – ignored the wealth of evidence supporting my new position.

Jesus never espoused the doctrine of tithing. Paul, despite dedicating two chapters (II Corinthians. 8,9) to the subject of giving in the church, never mentioned tithing – which you could say would have been a surer way of getting money from the believers. None of the apostles promoted it.

In Acts 5, when Ananias and Sapphira lied about their giving, they were struck dead. This incident underscores God’s demand for full accountability, not just for 10%, but for 100% of what we have.

A Christian must be accountable for all their wealth, whether it is spent for education, medical expenses, housing, helping the poor, or supporting their church/minister. The New Testament provides no basis for the modern practice of tithing. Instead, it emphasizes freewill offerings.

This giving that has become a hot topic in Christianity is clearly driven by greed and survival instincts. Only the seminaries founded by these prosperity teachers offer ‘Giving’ as a course. It is not taught in any of the conventional Bible Colleges as a course. It was only when I decided to drop the inherited dogma about giving that I learned from my father’s denomination that I began to see clearly those issues I had not asked questions about. It was then I understood what the tithing system in the Old Testament was all about. It was then I learned what the true biblical stance on Christian giving ought to be.

Tithing in the New Testament
The New Testament does not command Christians to tithe. The few mentions of tithing are historical references, often critical of the practice:
Jesus criticized the Pharisees for their tithing practices (Matthew 23:23).
A Pharisee bragged about his tithing in Luke 18:9-14.
Hebrews 7:5-10 mentions Abraham’s one-time tithe to Melchizedek, a freewill act from the spoils of war, not a recurring practice.

It is curious how the New Testament, largely written by practicing Jews who were familiar with Old Covenant laws, never commands tithing for Christians. If tithing were necessary, surely it would have been mentioned when discussing giving, especially in II Corinthians 8,9. But it was was not!

Old Testament Tithing
Old Testament tithing was a tax system for Israel, a theocratic nation. Jews paid three taxes/tithes:
1. The Levites’ Tithe: An annual 10% tax on all they produced. It was used to support the Levites, who had no land inheritance and so no other source of income (Leviticus 27:30-33, Deuteronomy 14:22-29).
2. Festival Tithe: An annual tax to fund religious festivals (Deuteronomy 14:22-27).
3. Poor Tithe: A tax/tithe that was paid every three years to support the poor (Deuteronomy 14:28-29).

These taxes/tithes totaled about 23.33% annually, plus additional taxes like the temple tax and requirements to leave fields unharvested for the poor to glean (Leviticus 19:9). Non-Jewish believers were never subjected to these tithes. The Jerusalem Council that deliberated what aspects to require from Gentile Christians said “It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities.…” They then only required the Gentile Christians (that is, us) to abstain from certain practices such as abstaining from foods sacrificed to idols, from blood, from strangled animals, and from sexual immorality (Acts 15:28-29).

New Testament Giving
The New Testament pattern of giving aligns with the Old Testament practice of freewill offerings. Unlike taxes, freewill offerings are voluntary and motivated by grace and love. In II Corinthians 8-9, Paul commended the Macedonian church, which gave generously despite their severe poverty.

In this passage, the believers are instructed (in 9:7) that each person should give as they have decided in their heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion. This directive emphasizes internal motivation over external obligation. Giving is a matter of the heart, not the wallet. If God has our hearts, He will have our wallets (Matthew 6:21).

But a preacher who wants to control your wallet will not let you think about the biblical basis for the position in this writeup.

Conclusion
Freedom from Old Testament tithing is not freedom to give less. It is freedom to give in ways that reflect our love for God and the gratitude in our hearts. Our giving should mirror the sacrificial love God showed by sending His Son. We are free to make love offerings, not just pay a religious tax.

If this knowledge makes you give less, then you were never motivated by grace but fear or greed. I say this because many Christians give so that God will protect what they have left while others give so that God can multiply what they have left! Both positions are funny and unbiblical. We give because God has already blessed us!

I will publish Part 2 soon. Selah

Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author, Fred Abua, and does not represent TheLumineNews, its agent or the organization the author works for.

August 26, 2024
Still On Obudu Chairmanship: Where Is Your Manifesto? BY AGBA JALINGO

The regular flyers that aspirants go to design and print in any business center usually have ambiguities on them, which usually include:

i. Beautiful studio pictures treated with apps. Even if the aspirant no fine, he or she will be fine in the picture.

ii. Youths and women empowerment.

iii. Job creation.

iv. Human capital development.

v. Peace and security.

vi. Social amenities.

The truth is that, none of those things are the core functions of the local government. Not even one of them.

There are specific functions of the LGAs that take their subheads.

1. Payment of salaries and allowances of primary health care workers.
2. Payment of salaries and allowances of primary school teachers.
3. Payment of salaries and allowances of traditional rulers.
4. Payment of salaries and allowances of LGA staff.
5. Payment of salaries and allowances of elected LGA officials and appointees.

Let’s even assume for instance that you claim you want to create jobs, which you should, you must break it down and let the voters know how those jobs will be created. Just writing job creation in your campaign poster doesn’t amount to anything. Tell us how you will achieve it.

Let me break it down further. Assuming I have the faintest interest in the office of the Obudu LGA Chair, if I write “Job Creation”, I will further tell you the sectors and projected numbers of jobs I intend to create within a set period of time.

For instance, it is the duty of local governments to register and regulate the operation of motor and bike parks. As Chairman of Council, I will first of all, deliberately saturate the 10 wards of Obudu LGA with open wifi hubs using Elon Musk’s Starlink Internet. It is presently the fastest Internet service available in the market and it works everywhere without a need to lay cables or build masts, because it is satellite internet. 20 of those devices and cell extenders will cost the council approximately N50m plus installation and control center, and that will put two devices in each of the ten Wards.

This will create the infrastructure for registration and capturing the over 10,000 commercial Okada bikes in Obudu LGA into a portal like “Gokada.” It will become a real time transport service similar to BOLT in operation, and the Council will formalize and standardize that sector and create at least 500 formal jobs, excluding the riders. The Council will also generate tens of millions of Naira from every ride and riders registration and boost the IGR of the LGA.

Every bike in Obudu will have a digital ID and if it is used for any crime or should a passenger lose any ware while on transit or gets missing or hurt, the bike and the rider will be easily tracked and brought to book. This can be achieved within six months.

It is also possible to identify locations in Ohong, Utugwang, Ofambe where men and women speak different languages, and other mini urban towns in Obudu and deliberately develop gardens with embedded rented shops and restaurants like “Jedy Garden” where we all relax when we go to Abuja. This will create another 500 direct jobs and revenue spots that will also up the IGR of the State. Tickets from visitors and off-the-pocket expenses will generate money for Council and locals.

Affordable fire proof prefab building materials can be brought in to couple at least 200 shops at the main Katube Market in Obudu town and 50 shops each, in Kazul, Udama, Lifembe and Ohong Markets. The prefab materials are not very expensive and they are readily available. This will modernize those markets and generate additional jobs and revenue for Council and empower local peasants.

This is not a campaign document. It is just a random maze on how to break the manifesto ambiguities down to the understanding of the voter so we can know where you stand and command thunder to fire you properly, when you refuse to keep your word.

So stop giving us bogus copy and paste campaign posters. Go to work and think and come back with sectorial and thematic details of what you wish to do as Obudu LGA Chairman. Una don pass 15 aspirants. If you have nothing in your head, abeg clear road and share the grace so that we can properly screw the serious ones.

I mean the next Obudu Chairman o. No be joke o.

Yours sincerely,
Citizen Agba Jalingo.

Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author, Agba Jalingo, and does not represent TheLumineNews, its agent or the organization the author works for.

August 26, 2024
Obudu LGA Chairman, Do You Still Want To Run? BY AGBA JALINGO

Our Governor has given assurances that LG elections will soon be conducted in Cross River State. He has also indicated that he will like to see people who are humble and desirous of serving their people emerge as Chairmen and not those who want to go and amass lucre. That is a good benchmark if you ask me. So all political parties should get ready.

If indeed, the allocations of the LGAs begin to go directly to the councils as directed by the Supreme Court, I wish to earnestly beg those who know nothing about governance, but want to enrich themselves from Council allocations, particularly in Obudu LGA, to desist from wasting their money on consultations and campaigns.

The reason is simply that, you won’t be able to steal. Even if you succeed in stealing, what you will pilfer won’t be much to make you rich. Because we will hold you accountable inch by inch. And let me tell you how. You may want to copy this in your LGA, if you find it useful.

1. Cross River State signed on to the Open Governance Project OGP, in 2020. That imposes a duty on government at all levels in the State to come clear on the activities of the government and put everything in the open.

2. LGA Chairmen do not have immunity. They can be sued while in office. They can even be jailed while in office.

3. We will track all income to the LGA from Abuja. All that information is available from the federal budget office and the office of the Accountant General of the Federation. All financial receipts to Obudu Council will be tracked diligently and meticulously.

4. We will officially write under the Freedom of Information FOI law, and demand for details of monthly FAAC allocations, monthly Internally Generated Revenue IGR, record of expenditure vis-a-vis, salaries and allowances of LG workers, political appointees, health and primary school workers, traditional rulers.

5. We will officially write under the Freedom of Information FOI law, and demand for forensic examination of the total number of people on the LGA payroll and what their statutory pay is.

6. We will officially write under the Freedom of Information FOI law, and demand records of expenditure on LGA projects and interventions.

7. We anticipate that the LGA Chairman will be recalcitrant to respond to our demands, so we are also working already with Firsts Baba Isa Esq and his team, to ensure that we sue the Chairman and ask the Court to compel the Council to make all details of the Council’s income and expenditure available to the public who own the money. We are prepared to file as many cases as can give us a victory on this. We believe that the courts will oblige. The judges aren’t dumb. God forbid!

8. We will create an Open Governance website and publicly document how the Chairman and his cabinet spend our money every month. Everyone from Obudu or anywhere in the world can simply log on to the portal any time of the day and see clearly how our money is working for us.

9. We will give real time, accurate, factual and objective reports of Obudu local government developmental strides and interventions.

10. If our money is misappropriated, embezzled or siphoned, we will drag the Obudu LGA Chairman to EFCC and ICPC. Remember the Chairman will not have immunity.

11. If the Chairman does well and develops Obudu, we will sing his or her praises to high heavens and roll the drums on the streets.

In my opinion, I think this is fair to the next Chairman of Obudu LGA. This will assist him or her to stay on track and concentrate on giving us value for money.

I hope you still want to run?

Yours sincerely,
Citizen Agba Jalingo.

Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author, Agba Jalingo, and does not represent TheLumineNews, its agent or the organization the author works for.

August 25, 2024