Can we meet you sir?
I am Isiaq
Oladeji Hammed; a graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University. Currently a
Graduate Assistant at Adekunle Ajasin
University, Akungba and now in Saudi Arabia on a Master's Degree program in
French Translation.
1 What is the greatest problem
confronting Nigeria today (please give instances of such) and how can it be
solved?
They are numerous.Among the many problems
facing us as a nation are bad governance, corruption, nepotism, ethno-religious
bigotry and intolerance. When you hear some of our so called leaders, you wonder how they
got to power. For verily, they are round pegs in rectangular holes. In saner
climes, they only present tested, trusted and capable heads to lead them. Also,
you get what you deserve according to what you know and not who you know. They
place emphasis on MERIT and not mediocrity. You are hired and fired not
according to your "God-fathers" but according to what you have
offered and can offer.
Let me give you a practical instance here, in this era of Boko
Haram where defenseless citizens are slaughtered day in day out, no serious
nation will have the likes of Erelu Obada or Labaran Maku as Defense Ministers.
I mean DEFENSE!!!
We will only move forward as a people if we have a NATIONAL
REBIRTH. By that I mean attitudinal changes from the top to the bottom strata
of the society. We have to start acting right and demanding always that things
be done right. We have to start seeing ourselves as Nigerians and never again from
the ethnic or religious lens. We have to care for and love our fellow
countrymen especially the less privileged; tolerate one another and live in
peace.
1 Members
of the Nigeria House of Representatives are reportedly making moves to
increase their quarterly allowance from #27million to 45million, what is your
take on it?
Laughs... These
peoples will not stop to amuse me. I don't even think that their quarterly
take-home is #27million before. They have a whole lot of other sources: aside
their salaries, they get constituency project allowance, oversight functions
allocations and bribes etc. You wonder why they hold their emoluments in top
secrecy. You can't really ascertain how much they collect. I wonder what works
they are doing to warrant those bogus pays in a country where the minimum wage
is #18, 000. Both arms of the federal legislature receive a lump sum of 150
billion naira annually to run its affairs with no breakdown or accountable
means of understanding how this sum is spent. You remember Lamido Sanusi
challenged them a couple of years that 25% of our annual budget ends in their
pockets and which they could not deny.
In short, this latest attempt at increment is an affront on our
conscience. It is the peak of insensitivity on their part to the plights of
thousands of our Colleges of education and Polytechnic students who have been
at home and wandering like Fulani cattle on our streets for close to a year
now. These same people blocked and killed a bill that would have fetched our
many unemployed youths a social security allowance of just #20, 000.
Personally, I don't see them as representing me or the people.
1
What
are the implications of this move?
The
implications? Very simple, more money to their pockets and less to the people
they swore to represent. That is tantamount to an increase in recurrent
expenditures and less for capital resources that could better the lots of me
and you. I suspect they want their share of the stolen #20 billion especially
as the 2015 elections are fast approaching. You know they need money to oil
their electioneering campaign machineries.Laughs!!!
1
How
do you think Nigerians can stop this?
You see I don't
believe Obasanjo, Jonathan, Tinubu, Babangida etc will stoop so low as to start
carrying and stealing ballot boxes and stuffing it with ballot papers. They use
fellow Nigerians like me and you, who are so daft to sell their destiny over
bottles of ‘Ogogoro’ and therefore suffer for the next four years or more. Do
you see their own children on election days? My people will say "Omo olomo
la ran nise de toru toru".
Until we start being very active before, during and after
elections, I don't see us getting free from this bondage. The youths especially need to
stop political apathy. And take active roles in our national politics.
1
What
are your personal efforts in ensuring a new nation?
I have been sensitizing my fellow youths for some times now on the
social media and at any public forum, formal or informal. To make sure I also work the
talk, I have joined a number of NGOs and change oriented bodies like Hope
Rising Foundation (HRF), Nigerian Youths Movement, Intellectual Circle, Change
Movement Nigeria etc. In fact, I had to partake actively in a protest that took
place last year against the ASUU strike in Osogbo, Osun State even though I was
no longer in the university. Right now, I am nurturing the idea of going for an
elective post come 2019, by God's grace. Our people deserve better and more
youthful leaders!
What
is your advice for the Nigerian Youth on the need to participate in achieving
the New NIGERIA?
Like I said, we
need a national renaissance. And the drivers of that rebirth should be the
youths. In
politics, we should stop being passive and play active roles in our national
destiny. Serve your fellow human beings with accountability and
humility, either in executive capacity or as a follower. In our national
rebirth, we are first and foremost Nigerians. And nothing but Nigerians! We
should fight corruption to a standstill, criticize
and humiliate the corrupt among us. We should also preach and practice LOVE,
TOLERANCE, PATRIOTISM AND SACRIFICE so that once again we will be proud
NIGERIANS…
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