Dr Jaana Nwafor-Orizu, daughter of former Acting President and
Commander-in-Chief of the Nigeria Armed Forces, is a fearless political
commentator. She is canvassing for the reintroduction of the War Against
Corruption and other key areas within Buhari’s 100 days in office. In
this interview, she warned that the call for change by the APC-led
government would remain a far cry if people of questionable characters
are entrusted with national responsibilities.
You lamented the poor recognition accorded your late dad, the first Nigerian Acting President, Dr Nwafor Orizu, by the federal and state governments. What has been the response of the Jonathan administration so far?
The word lamented gives a very false impression of self-pity. This is a question of belief in truth and that truth crushed to earth must rise again. It is an attitude of resilience. Just like the fight against corruption in Nigeria should be continuous until majority get reasonably on cue, so should the cry against such denials continue until such anomalies cease in Nigeria. Such efforts have started to yield results. Concerted efforts have been made by the family to call the attention of government at the federal and state levels. Only recently, and for the first time, the Federal government in remembering our past heroes, included in certain terms, the name Dr A. A. Nwafor Orizu, the First Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who in his capacity as the first Acting President of Nigeria handed over power to Aguiyi Ironsi at the close of the first Republic. Recently, the government named after him the Ring Road 11(Outer Southern Expressway from Area One Roundabout to Galadimawa Roundabout). This is a welcome development from President Goodluck Jonathan.
The late Orizu was given formal recognition during the last centenary celebration organized by President Jonathan. What do you want the incoming government to do to address this historical blunder?
There should be a constitutional and official inclusion and straightening of the historic events that brought about the first military government on January 16, 1966. Who is responsible for this historical “vacuum”. I mean, the President should necessarily set up an unbiased and incorruptible committee to fish out the written and video recordings of the first handover to a military government in Nigeria. The 92 days His Excellency, Rt Hon Prince Dr Akwaeke Abyssinia Nwafor Orizu was the President of this great country (albeit in acting capacity) should be given a constitutional definition. Due diligence and due process should include the process of a nation’s historical records. If this matter continues to be unattended to, Nigerian history will never be complete. I sincerely believe that the president –elect is a no-nonsense man and as I welcome him to the onerous task ahead, I believe that this area could be attended to as it is a denial to the Igbo race. It will also enhance unity.
Apart from the state burial accorded your dad when he died in 1999, has there been any benefit paid to the family by the government?
It is unbelievable, but it is absolutely true. My father has virtually got nothing for serving Nigeria. The family will be happy not to suffer the same fate. I therefore, call on President Goodluck Jonathan to start processes that will once and for all correct this anomaly. The incoming President, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) can continue from where he stops.
By the way, many of my siblings are in successful creative, private and public endeavors. We have been contributing to the society in no small ways. We are service -oriented. I believe that government should take a step to redress this.
Looking at the last general elections, Nigerians overwhelmingly voted for change. Were you surprised by the poll results?
The only thing constant in life is change. Politics is a part of life, and political change happens. The focus of true Nigerians should be on the milestones that can be achieved through the contribution of every Nigerian to move the country forward. Well-meaning citizens of this country should be very positive about the future of this country and give all necessary support to the incoming administration to avoid distractive engagements. To me, it is not a question of change per se. It is actually a question of continuity. Why do I say this? I said this because it is not a question of new country about to be inhabited by brand new citizens manufactured outside a new national entity, and configured in a brand new socio-economic, and geo-political structures. We must admit that Nigeria is not an easy country to govern. There is simply no easy process of changing the country by any magic wand. We must realize that we are undergoing a normal process of political, economic and social growth. Democracy has been taking its due process in Nigeria. Progress has been going on. If you put a candid graph on the economic, social and political map of Nigeria, you will see a steady growth with successive governments. Corruption is a natural outgrowth that will take its toll and die naturally. When many other processes are put in place, corruption will reduce drastically. It’s very ironic that the electronic voting system was introduced to cub electoral fraud, but what ‘actually’ happened? I remember a saying that one computer is more efficient than 20 men, but one smart man is more intelligent than a thousand computers.
What is your confidence rating of Buhari? Do you think he will live up to the expectations of Nigerian people in a democratic setting?
Nigerians prayed for the will of God during the anxious period of the presidential elections. I believe God answered our prayers. Our role now is to think of how each and every one of us will make Nigeria that ideal nation state we so much clamor for. The job of cleansing Nigeria is a collective responsibility. For when a president happens to be saddled with people of questionable traits, the call for real change may be a far cry. Nigerians are capable of learning. If the incoming president will be allowed without undue pressure and distraction, Nigeria will still move a long way from where it is today. One thing must be clear; we should all see ourselves as responsible to the fate of our dear motherland. I believe that is a subtle but effective way to be a good Nigerian. Great expectations can follow.
The people of South East put their eggs in one basket and lost woefully in the last election. We saw the alliance of the South West and the North to dislodge power at the center. What would the people of the South East and South South do to gain political relevance in the Buhari administration?
This is begging the issue. Nigeria is one indivisible entity and will always be governed by one man who will be the president of Nigeria and not a geo-political zone or any tribal alliance. I like to seize this opportunity to express the view that many may not like to air even though it is the truth. The outcome of the last elections may never truly be the yardstick of measuring the reality of the political situation in Nigeria. Let us not overheat the polity by some inexcusable assumptions. I strongly believe that every section of Nigeria remains relevant. Let us not over pre-empt the incoming President. He will become the president and father of the nation. Why not, if not? Again, it is absolutely necessary to trust your president. I believe GMB will not want Nigeria to disintegrate under any guise. His patriotic zeal even as an elder statesman is for all Nigerians. I believe he will balance his actions in such ways as to ensure equity, fair play and balance. Let us look forward and do our bits.
Looking at the many problems of Nigeria, what are the key areas you would urge the new administration to address within their first 100 Days in Office?
Since fight against corruption is one of the high points in GMB’s agenda, there should be an initial diagnostic compendium critically x-raying this decease, including its symptoms in all aspects and at all levels without fear or favor. As soon as we read how corruption works in Nigeria in a written form, more people than you can imagine will realize they have been part of this problem, without knowing. This book of facts will also proffer solutions in writing and this will be spread to all institutions and agencies nay, to every Nigerian- that is awareness and national reorientation.
Secondly, there must be more job creation opportunities for our teeming youths. Specific number of unemployed people must be made to leave the streets by direct or indirect employment. Thirdly, non-oil based revenue must be encouraged by increasing soft loans opportunities for other creative endeavors.
Again, there must be reduction of man-hour wastage by possibly completing and building alternate routes on all major roots in the country. Imagine a situation where the entire Nigerians have used the Niger Bridge for 50 years. Think of the man hours that have gone on both sides of the bridge for 50 years. This is a tip of the iceberg considering other such situations in almost all parts of Nigeria. The government can take definite steps in this direction.
Moreover, the new railway systems being introduced in the country should be given priority to help decongest the roads and save man-hours and improve productivity. The waterways should be dredged to help decongest the existing wharfs and increase business and employment.
Another very critical area is the reintroduction and improvement of War Against Indiscipline. Also, for a start, the new administration should aim at achieving full current 24/7 light for the first 100 days. Credible and sustainable measures must be put in place to bring the dollar closer to the Naira at the international market.
In addition the entire school system should experience a new lease on life. The last but not the least; the prices of food must start dropping even as the gap between the rich and the poor should clearly start closing. This may start by a new salary and tax reform.
What are those specific areas you would like the incoming government to address to reposition Nigeria and strengthen people’s faith in national unity.
I like to observe that I am fully aware that so much has been done in the area of setting agenda for a better Nigeria in all aspects. We have the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). We have the Transformation Agenda. When these ideals are put in full practice, I bet you Nigeria will look like our dream nation state. What we need might be certain policies that can bring about some positive shift towards national unity. Let me, therefore, enumerate some here for serious consideration and adoption by the incoming government.
There is absolute need to inculcate the spirit of oneness in all Nigerians.
PDP is like a sinking ship, rocked by internal crises. Do you foresee an imminent end to the party that once prided itself as the largest in Africa?
The decrease in the strength of a political party should not be the end of its life. In western democracies, ruling parties change from era to era and so it continues. Nigerians must also outgrow the must-win or do-or-die attitude to elections. Failure should be a lesson for future strength. The APC victory today is a result of lessons learnt from almost two decades of disillusionment. I don’t see why PDP should not sit up and face the challenges ahead. The outside world must continue to see us as mature. Nigeria has come of age and should be seen as such. GEJ has given them the lead that he is a real democrat that believes in politics without bitterness.
Copyright: The Sun
You lamented the poor recognition accorded your late dad, the first Nigerian Acting President, Dr Nwafor Orizu, by the federal and state governments. What has been the response of the Jonathan administration so far?
The word lamented gives a very false impression of self-pity. This is a question of belief in truth and that truth crushed to earth must rise again. It is an attitude of resilience. Just like the fight against corruption in Nigeria should be continuous until majority get reasonably on cue, so should the cry against such denials continue until such anomalies cease in Nigeria. Such efforts have started to yield results. Concerted efforts have been made by the family to call the attention of government at the federal and state levels. Only recently, and for the first time, the Federal government in remembering our past heroes, included in certain terms, the name Dr A. A. Nwafor Orizu, the First Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who in his capacity as the first Acting President of Nigeria handed over power to Aguiyi Ironsi at the close of the first Republic. Recently, the government named after him the Ring Road 11(Outer Southern Expressway from Area One Roundabout to Galadimawa Roundabout). This is a welcome development from President Goodluck Jonathan.
The late Orizu was given formal recognition during the last centenary celebration organized by President Jonathan. What do you want the incoming government to do to address this historical blunder?
There should be a constitutional and official inclusion and straightening of the historic events that brought about the first military government on January 16, 1966. Who is responsible for this historical “vacuum”. I mean, the President should necessarily set up an unbiased and incorruptible committee to fish out the written and video recordings of the first handover to a military government in Nigeria. The 92 days His Excellency, Rt Hon Prince Dr Akwaeke Abyssinia Nwafor Orizu was the President of this great country (albeit in acting capacity) should be given a constitutional definition. Due diligence and due process should include the process of a nation’s historical records. If this matter continues to be unattended to, Nigerian history will never be complete. I sincerely believe that the president –elect is a no-nonsense man and as I welcome him to the onerous task ahead, I believe that this area could be attended to as it is a denial to the Igbo race. It will also enhance unity.
Apart from the state burial accorded your dad when he died in 1999, has there been any benefit paid to the family by the government?
It is unbelievable, but it is absolutely true. My father has virtually got nothing for serving Nigeria. The family will be happy not to suffer the same fate. I therefore, call on President Goodluck Jonathan to start processes that will once and for all correct this anomaly. The incoming President, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) can continue from where he stops.
By the way, many of my siblings are in successful creative, private and public endeavors. We have been contributing to the society in no small ways. We are service -oriented. I believe that government should take a step to redress this.
Looking at the last general elections, Nigerians overwhelmingly voted for change. Were you surprised by the poll results?
The only thing constant in life is change. Politics is a part of life, and political change happens. The focus of true Nigerians should be on the milestones that can be achieved through the contribution of every Nigerian to move the country forward. Well-meaning citizens of this country should be very positive about the future of this country and give all necessary support to the incoming administration to avoid distractive engagements. To me, it is not a question of change per se. It is actually a question of continuity. Why do I say this? I said this because it is not a question of new country about to be inhabited by brand new citizens manufactured outside a new national entity, and configured in a brand new socio-economic, and geo-political structures. We must admit that Nigeria is not an easy country to govern. There is simply no easy process of changing the country by any magic wand. We must realize that we are undergoing a normal process of political, economic and social growth. Democracy has been taking its due process in Nigeria. Progress has been going on. If you put a candid graph on the economic, social and political map of Nigeria, you will see a steady growth with successive governments. Corruption is a natural outgrowth that will take its toll and die naturally. When many other processes are put in place, corruption will reduce drastically. It’s very ironic that the electronic voting system was introduced to cub electoral fraud, but what ‘actually’ happened? I remember a saying that one computer is more efficient than 20 men, but one smart man is more intelligent than a thousand computers.
What is your confidence rating of Buhari? Do you think he will live up to the expectations of Nigerian people in a democratic setting?
Nigerians prayed for the will of God during the anxious period of the presidential elections. I believe God answered our prayers. Our role now is to think of how each and every one of us will make Nigeria that ideal nation state we so much clamor for. The job of cleansing Nigeria is a collective responsibility. For when a president happens to be saddled with people of questionable traits, the call for real change may be a far cry. Nigerians are capable of learning. If the incoming president will be allowed without undue pressure and distraction, Nigeria will still move a long way from where it is today. One thing must be clear; we should all see ourselves as responsible to the fate of our dear motherland. I believe that is a subtle but effective way to be a good Nigerian. Great expectations can follow.
The people of South East put their eggs in one basket and lost woefully in the last election. We saw the alliance of the South West and the North to dislodge power at the center. What would the people of the South East and South South do to gain political relevance in the Buhari administration?
This is begging the issue. Nigeria is one indivisible entity and will always be governed by one man who will be the president of Nigeria and not a geo-political zone or any tribal alliance. I like to seize this opportunity to express the view that many may not like to air even though it is the truth. The outcome of the last elections may never truly be the yardstick of measuring the reality of the political situation in Nigeria. Let us not overheat the polity by some inexcusable assumptions. I strongly believe that every section of Nigeria remains relevant. Let us not over pre-empt the incoming President. He will become the president and father of the nation. Why not, if not? Again, it is absolutely necessary to trust your president. I believe GMB will not want Nigeria to disintegrate under any guise. His patriotic zeal even as an elder statesman is for all Nigerians. I believe he will balance his actions in such ways as to ensure equity, fair play and balance. Let us look forward and do our bits.
Looking at the many problems of Nigeria, what are the key areas you would urge the new administration to address within their first 100 Days in Office?
Since fight against corruption is one of the high points in GMB’s agenda, there should be an initial diagnostic compendium critically x-raying this decease, including its symptoms in all aspects and at all levels without fear or favor. As soon as we read how corruption works in Nigeria in a written form, more people than you can imagine will realize they have been part of this problem, without knowing. This book of facts will also proffer solutions in writing and this will be spread to all institutions and agencies nay, to every Nigerian- that is awareness and national reorientation.
Secondly, there must be more job creation opportunities for our teeming youths. Specific number of unemployed people must be made to leave the streets by direct or indirect employment. Thirdly, non-oil based revenue must be encouraged by increasing soft loans opportunities for other creative endeavors.
Again, there must be reduction of man-hour wastage by possibly completing and building alternate routes on all major roots in the country. Imagine a situation where the entire Nigerians have used the Niger Bridge for 50 years. Think of the man hours that have gone on both sides of the bridge for 50 years. This is a tip of the iceberg considering other such situations in almost all parts of Nigeria. The government can take definite steps in this direction.
Moreover, the new railway systems being introduced in the country should be given priority to help decongest the roads and save man-hours and improve productivity. The waterways should be dredged to help decongest the existing wharfs and increase business and employment.
Another very critical area is the reintroduction and improvement of War Against Indiscipline. Also, for a start, the new administration should aim at achieving full current 24/7 light for the first 100 days. Credible and sustainable measures must be put in place to bring the dollar closer to the Naira at the international market.
In addition the entire school system should experience a new lease on life. The last but not the least; the prices of food must start dropping even as the gap between the rich and the poor should clearly start closing. This may start by a new salary and tax reform.
What are those specific areas you would like the incoming government to address to reposition Nigeria and strengthen people’s faith in national unity.
I like to observe that I am fully aware that so much has been done in the area of setting agenda for a better Nigeria in all aspects. We have the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). We have the Transformation Agenda. When these ideals are put in full practice, I bet you Nigeria will look like our dream nation state. What we need might be certain policies that can bring about some positive shift towards national unity. Let me, therefore, enumerate some here for serious consideration and adoption by the incoming government.
There is absolute need to inculcate the spirit of oneness in all Nigerians.
PDP is like a sinking ship, rocked by internal crises. Do you foresee an imminent end to the party that once prided itself as the largest in Africa?
The decrease in the strength of a political party should not be the end of its life. In western democracies, ruling parties change from era to era and so it continues. Nigerians must also outgrow the must-win or do-or-die attitude to elections. Failure should be a lesson for future strength. The APC victory today is a result of lessons learnt from almost two decades of disillusionment. I don’t see why PDP should not sit up and face the challenges ahead. The outside world must continue to see us as mature. Nigeria has come of age and should be seen as such. GEJ has given them the lead that he is a real democrat that believes in politics without bitterness.
Copyright: The Sun
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