INITIATIVE FOR EQUAL CO-EXISTANCE
...show the love, care for all, build the nation...
IEC MEMBERS POSE FOR GROUP PHOTOGRAPH AFTER THE FAMILY CONFERENCE AT THE CENTRE FOR MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT IN SHANGISHA, LAGOS STATE.
INITIATIVE FOR EQUAL CO-EXISTENCE ( EXTRACT FROM THE PUNCH AUGUST 17, 2004 )
ON IBB 63rd BIRTHDAY
While some people love-to-hate him, some simply love him, but very few could afford to ignore him. That man is Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida "IBB". He is a publisher's delight anyday, not only for news, but for increased profit. We therefore wish to capture some contemporary issues during his (IBB) birthday.While some ask, "who killed Dele Giwa", a charismatic and brilliant journalist that was alleged to be blackmailing IBB on some dirty issue, we ask, "who killed Bola Ige", a visionary man who's only plan was to retain his zonal political leadership for advancement to national level ? In fact, we may further ask, "who killed Marshall, Dikibo, and a host of others ? While some maligning IBB for executing a "friend", Mamman Vatsa in it's failed attempt to bomb bridges and killed him (IBB) in a coup de-tat against the very administration that made him (VATSA) de-facto No 2 as FCT minister, we ask what kind of kiss they expected from IBB as the military man who survived the plot ? While some ask why IBB annulled June 12 elections, we ask what is "mad dog" constituency (apologies to MKO) would have had him do in the unfortunate situation that arose. Have we somehow investigated the role of our Kabiyesis in the saga ?While a murder accused won election without campaigning from jail, we at least have some relief that IBB has not been linked to that.The question then remains, "how did a murder accused win election from jail ?". This is equally as important as June 12.While some say IBB institionalised corruption, we wonder if there was a Federal Ministry of Corruption during his administration. In fact, we also wonder at the excuses our military used in sacking the administrations of Aguiyi Ironsi, Yakubu Gowon, Shehu Shagari and of course, Mohammed Buhari. Was it not these same corruption tag ? While IBB's corruption is now institutionalized, we wonder how that somehow infected our respectable activists who are publicly accusing themselves of embezzling NGO funds. Did IBB teach them to employ funds held in trust ?While we expect further flak from our respectable activists on IBB, we are amused that he has not been accused as major receiver of looted public funds which are regularly transferred abroad by our elected new "clean office holders".While IBB launched the People's bank in Ajegunle to alleviate the sufferings of the poor masses, and proceeded to hand the board Chairmanship to irrepressible and trustworthy Uncle Tai, we wonder if in the process of doing this, he also taught them some corruption strategies that eventually destroyed the bank.While our activists are also talking of the Pius Okigbo Commission that was setup by General Abacha to keep IBB in check and how he was indicted for mismanaging the Gulf war oil windfall, we wonder why most of those who worked in his administration are just average today compare to our new public officers, and whether mismanagement of fund now tantamount to embezzlement.While they are even accusing him of being "gay", we wonder if he was instrumental to the appointment of gays as Anglican Bishops in the UK. Infact, of all the leaders in these country to date, he has more claim to morality than many politicians combined together. We ask, "Apart from Gowon and ING's Shonekan who are Christians, his (IBB)) not the only Muslim leader with only one wife". Moral issues do not conflict, rather, they are complimentary.While his wife initiated the purposeful direction to the first ladyship position of this country by identifying with rural women, and he encouraged operations of financial firms to meet needs of the lower class, we wonder why critics have not seen the originality of those actions ( and more) and how the people were better off for it.From above, we submit that it is impossible for everybody to be President of this great country. As our leaders failed to fully satisfied our needs, we believe God still has an overriding say in choosing them not necessarily by what we feel is right ,but by what He designs. While Obasanjo was rejected by his own people, somehow God still got him there. If God wishes IBB to lead this country once again, then the best to do is get prepared.Whenever we think of improved leadership style ( or change ) in a heterogeneous setting like Nigeria ( constraints ), we could only project for better period ahead ( vision ). Whenever we project ahead, we must think of our children ( key factor ). Whenever we think of our children, we must think of our women ( operators ). Whenever we think of our women, we would be getting closer to the solution ( workouts ). It is all about equal opportunities, and we shall be writing more on this shortly.For emphasis, we state that IBB is not our problem, rather, he is part of the solution. While a messiah has not been forthcoming in this country, a God reformed St.Paul would suffice.We therefore urged IBB ( and his contestants ) to allow the God-factor formed the foundation of their campaign while alleviation of the peoples' suffering must be made a priority in their manifestoes.