Opinion I One Word On Melaye's Certificate Conundrum

ONE WORD ON MELAYE’S CERTIFICATE CONUNDRUM

       

The last time I checked, the Nigeria’s eight National Assembly – particularly its Red Chamber – had been characterized by series of distractions, that, any observer could insinuate that all is not well with the country’s current polity. One of the distractions emanated from the recent allegation leveled against the Member representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Mr. Dino Melaye by the online news outfit Sahara Reporters, stating that the senator never graduated from the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, Kaduna State as claimed by the legislator.

       

It’s pertinent to acknowledge that Sen. Melaye’s political career hasn’t been spared of various controversies cum accusations. Sometime ago, it was alleged that he continued to operate a checking and savings account with a US-based bank, in violation of Nigeria’s extant law. It’s noteworthy that the Nigeria’s Code of Conduct Bureau prohibits the use of foreign accounts by elected and public officials. Melaye criticized the former Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole for ‘importing his wife’ rather than marrying a Nigerian woman. Sometime penultimate year, he threatened to beat up one of his female colleagues Sen. Oluremi Tinubu on the floor of the Senate.

         

Sen. Melaye’s claims not only did he graduate legitimately from ABU, but had successfully earned seven degrees from various other institutions across the globe to include the revered Harvard’s University Kennedy School for Educational Leadership, and the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE); a claim that had been refuted by both institutions, with the former alleging that Melaye only presented himself for a week-long professional development course in late 2016, whilst LSE alleged there was no evidence on its database that the lawmaker ever obtained any degree from the institution.

        

Regarding that of ABU, Sen. Melaye was cleared by the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the university Prof. Ibrahim Garba who appeared before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions on Monday 27^th March 2017, to confirm that the embattled senator graduated from the institution, though under a different name ‘Daniel Jonah Melaye’. There are intriguing factors that ought to be closely considered towards clearing all elements of suspicion.

        

It was disclosed by Prof. Garba that Sen. Melaye graduated from ABU but with a different name, which implies that he was enrolled into the university with a name he is not currently bearing. Since the lawmaker had testified at the floor of the Senate that he once had a change of name, we need to inquire from him what actually informed the decision. Also, Melaye reportedly secured admission with only three credit passes as against five credit passes usually required by virtually every institution of higher learning ab initio. Although he had refuted the allegation, claiming he had up to five credit passes, I think it would be wise to consult the West African Examination Council (WAEC) for onward clarification.

        

It was equally gathered that Sen. Melaye underwent his National Youth Service in 1999 whereas record has it that he had his first degree in 2000. This implies that he did his NYSC programme prior to his graduation. How do we reconcile this? It is saddening that the VC didn’t use the occasion to throw more light on this complication. Maybe the Senate Committee equally needs to invite the NYSC for clarifications.

        

These things have to be well explained by all concerned towards quenching some lingering doubts completely. Besides, was the VC in better position to appear before the Senate Committee than the Registrar of the university? We are strongly not unaware that issues pertaining to admission procurement as well as graduation have to do with Office of the Registrar, thus I saw no reason the VC chose to hold brief for the University’s Registrar.

         

However, I’m of the view that it’s high time authorities in Nigeria stopped attaching so much importance and relevance to a mere paper qualification. A certificate does not in any way guarantees one’s competence and reliability; rather, what he/she has upstairs. Paper qualification should only be seen as a means of identification, and not a symbol for the bearer’s ability or prowess.

       

Believing so much in certificates has been the sole reason several Nigerians have resorted to indulging in all sorts of social-vices, including examination malpractices, admission racketeering, impersonation, forgery, and what have you, in order to acquire a degree certificate, thereby unleashing mockery and disgust on the country’s polity. I want to state unequivocally that several of our present public servants never visited the four-walls of any higher citadel of learning let alone obtaining a degree certificate, which they purportedly have in their respective possessions.

        

In view of this, it’s only Sen. Dino Melaye’s ‘course mates’ that can prove to Nigerians beyond doubts that the legislator truly attended as well as graduated from ABU, among the other institutions he claim attendance. Meanwhile, now that Sen. Ali Ndume who supported the blown whistle had been outrightly suspended by the Senate, thereby making him share similar fate with Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin of the lower chamber, what next? Think about it!

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ShortStory I Life's Intrigues (III)

LIFE’S INTRIGUES (III)

      “Meaning that first year female students are always glad to receive the hand of a guy in upper level, “Chinwe responded hesitantly as she sat on the foam. “Especially a final year student.” She added in a jiffy.

       Damilola, ‘Dami’ as she was fondly called, was speechless, sat on a plastic reading-chair positioned directly opposite where her roommate was seated.

       “So tell me,” quoth Chinwe. “What level is he?”

         Damilola dished out a dazzling smile, overwhelmed though. “You have said it all.” She said.

        “Meaning?”

        “Final year.” She eventually revealed.

        “Hmm…” murmured Chinwe. “I am happy for you.” She uttered. “But, you have to be very careful.”

         Damilola was quiet, remained attentive.

        “I mean, extremely careful.” Chinwe supplemented.

        “How?” verified Damilola. “Why?”

        “Not all that glitters is gold, of course.”

          Damilola became thoughtful and jittery. “Alright.” she assented. “I appreciate, because I know you are talking from experience …”

         “And experience remains the best teacher.” Chinwe interrupted.

          The conversation continued for over forty minutes till they became exhausted, thus retired to the kitchen to fetch their dinner.

         As days unfolded, the 25-year-old Chukwudi, and Damilola who was 20, became best of friends that they couldn’t do anything on the campus without involving each other. The pleasant scenario proceeded to the delight of everyone including Chinwe, the second year student of Marketing department who was all along acting as a special adviser to the latter. But, at a point she (Chinwe) became apparently jealous of the relationship, which could be best described as divine.

   * * * * * *

      “You are indeed beautiful.” Chukwudi teased.

      “Thank you.” Chinwe responded cheerfully. “You are handsome too.” She added.

        “Sure?”

        “Of course.”

         The two were having a good time at Chukwudi’s residence. They agreed to meet via phone call the previous day. Chinwe – Damilola’s roommate – had succeeded in luring the dude into her net during one of his numerous visits to their lodge. She had tried seducing him on one fateful day; the seduction was informed by Damilola’s exit to the kitchen section; in that occasion, Chinwe sat loosely on their foam so she could trap Chukwudi who was seated in a plastic chair sited opposite her. She knew she caught his attention by the move, thus therein demanded for his phone number to enable them seal the deal thereafter and the chap never hesitated in complying with the silly request. Barely twenty-four hours after the scene took place, Chinwe found her way into his one-bedroom apartment situated about ten kilometres away from their lodge.

       “I am just hearing it for the first time.” said Chukwudi who sat on his foam right in his room.

       “That you are handsome?’ verified the 22-year-old Chinwe who was seated on a chair positioned directly opposite the host.

        “Yes.”

        “You lied.”

        “Why did you say so?”

        “Because, your handsomeness is obvious.” She reiterated, stylishly trying to chew her lips in a move to further seduce the dude.

        “Really?”

         Definitely.” She said as she remained on the seat clad in a tight mini-skirt, pink sexy top and black high-heeled slippers.

        Her wears were all doing what they were assigned to do. Every part of her private parts was relatively visible. Almost half of her moderately large boobs were outside her bra, and the section that was inside was yet transparent. Spectacles weren’t needed to see the colour of the bra, which was equally pink. In the same vein, her panties could be widely seen from where the host sat as a result of how loosely she was seated coupled with the fact that the skirt was almost showing every part of her succulently-looking thighs. To assert the least, her virtually nude body supplemented to her apparent natural beauty, though could be described as irritating by any decent and respectable man.

       Chukwudi who couldn’t withstand his sight, stepped to where she sat, squatted, and began to roll his both hands on the nude laps. She assented to the gesture, considering her countenance and reaction. Against this backdrop, the dude stood up, calmly lifted her up and within a twinkle of an eye, she was lying on his foam. It was when she lay that he saw the other part of her, which was earlier hidden; the shape of her bum-bum was ‘splendid’ and controversial – well curved. In fifteen minutes interval, they were through with the tango, thus they lay nakedly beside each other right on the foam. No doubt, her mission had been duly accomplished.

        Afterwards, the secret affair lingered unabated, with only the knowledge of the sky. The least Damilola could imagine, let alone think about, was that her seeming lovely and loving roommate cum adviser was never for her good. Similarly, the least she could dream of was that Chukwudi ‘of all people’ was cheating on her let alone with her supposed best friend who could equally be described as her sister.

        The forsaken drama proceeded till one fateful day when she caught them red-handed right in their (the ladies’) room. On that day, Chukwudi, as usual, had come to check on Damilola without prior notice not knowing that she wasn’t home. When he was told by Chinwe that Damilola was yet to return from school, he made a move to take his leave with the intention of returning later in the day, but Chinwe insisted that he stayed back. He was left with no choice, hence, he succumbed to the persuasion. One thing led to another, they initiated a tango right on the innocent foam, and in the process Damilola walked in.

        The funniest part was that they didn’t even remember to keep the door locked, perhaps due to the inevitable tempo of the sensation that emanated from the uncalled and unscheduled football match.

        “What…?” Damilola shouted the moment she sighted the scene that could best be described as warfront having kept the door open.

        They hastily separated on hearing the exclamation, got dressed and felt like retrieving the video as was shockingly taped by the victim of the circumstance. Chukwudi dashed out of the apartment and took his leave whilst the devil personified remained on the foam, felt electrocuted although looked hardened. The rest is history!

** The End **

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Opinion I Owelle, What Next For Pensioners?

      

OWELLE, WHAT NEXT FOR IMO PENSIONERS?

       

The last time I checked, the revered senior citizens of Imo State were once again ravaged by hunger, that, any observer could insinuate that they have been duped and dumped. Their current physiognomies have suggested for a candid and drastic rescue before the scenario degenerate into an untold and unbearable one.

        

If you don’t have a pensioner in your neighbourhood, please endeavour to take a walk to your vicinity towards ensuring that you embrace the presence of at least one. My last interaction with one of them took me to an unannounced sober mood, thereby made my person shed unimagined tears right before the ‘senior citizen’.

         

The retiree in question told me that after the enormous sacrifice they made to ensure that the government was no longer addressed as a debtor to the pensioners, the least he expected was that they would be seemingly forgotten thereafter. He decried that three months after they had a ‘cordial’ agreement with the government, nothing had been heard from the governor. In order to usher in hope which apparently had been lost, in my own capacity as a stakeholder, I told him that the governor Chief Rochas Okorocha meant well for them, thus he should exercise some patience.

         

It would be recalled that penultimate year, precisely in December 2016, the teeming Imo pensioners released a sigh of relieve. The juicy situation was not unconnected with the laudable gesture displayed by the Rescue Mission Administration led by Governor Okorocha, which necessitated a piece I published on this column titled ‘Owelle’s Yuletide hamper for the Imo pensioners’.

        

At the said era, the government outrightly cleared forty per cent (40%) of 13 months arrears of pension accruable to the retirees, based on the friendly agreement that transpired between the two stakeholders involved. Though the retirees sacrificed something tangible in return, the step taken by the governor was addressed as ‘commendable’ by everyone who means well for the state.

       

Since three months after the lofty scenario, the pensioners are yet to receive even half payment of their pensions form the governor they described as ‘amiable’ having showcased the December 2016 gesture, in spite of the fact that they were promised that as from January 2017, 100% of their entitlements would be regularly paid to them without hesitation. The retirees are presently of the view that they have been duped and relegated.

        

Let the governor not presume that excess money was given to the retirees months ago, thus do not need any dime at the moment. Contrary to such a presumption that might arise from any Imolite, particularly government officials, let it be noted that virtually all the pensioners used the funds to settle their creditors over the backlog of debts they owed. In fact, the funds weren’t even enough for most of them. I’m very close to some of them; hence, I’m in a better position to comprehend their actual plights.

        

Going by the way and manners pensioners are being treated in various quarters across the federation, one may begin to wonder if they are truly senior citizens as they are called by all and sundry. Being treated as second class citizens simply indicates that addressing them as ‘senior citizens’ is just a way of making mockery of their persons. In an organized society, they are invariably regarded as frontiers when it calls for decision-making as regards governance; but in Nigeria, among others, the reverse is obviously the case.

        

I personally weep for these people whenever I see them frantically begging for what they could afford if they are accorded the deserved honour. They have undoubtedly undergone colossal stress during the era they were meritoriously serving the country, thus don’t deserve another round of suffering. It becomes more saddening when realized that they are being deprived of their rights, not privileges; that they are being denied of what they assiduously laboured for; that they are begging for their entitlements.

        

Until we start differentiating categorically between one’s rights and privileges as stipulated in any extant constitution, we would definitely continue to get it wrongly. Till the Nigerian society started seeing salaries and pensioners as rights, and not privileges, the polity would continue to be awash with retrogressive issues when we are yearning for progressive ones. These are facts we must not take for granted.

        

I therefore sincerely use this medium to solicit for these revered citizens, because I’m strongly not unaware that they are passing through both physical and psychological traumas. If the Gov. Okorocha-led government isn’t a compassionate one, or one who detest seeing the masses suffering, I wouldn’t have come up with this critique or appeal in the first place; rather, I would have considered doing otherwise. Having understood that the governor shares the pains of these retirees, but owing to paucity of funds he is being trapped underneath, I thought it wise to use this avenue to ask him to start seeing other projects he is currently carrying out as secondary toward ensuring that payment of pensions is treated as a priority.

        

As much as I immensely appreciate Gov. Okorocha for ensuring that workers’ salaries are paid as and when due till date, he ought to equally acknowledge that these teeming pensioners are damn hungry and vulnerable, thus require absolute care and attention. We must note that a drop of tear from any of them in regard to the ongoing maltreatment could cause an unspeakable harm to the progress of the state at large. Think about it!

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