20th April, 2015
By Moses Iloh
On the historical issue of the likely destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah: It is written “Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city; will THOU also destroy and not spare the place for fifty righteous that are therein?” Mr President-elect, there are fifty righteous in Nigeria. The LORD has commanded peace over Nigeria. Take full advantage of that blessing. I am suggesting some issues that should be on your priority agenda. 1. The FIFTY RIGHTEOUS IN NIGERIA are among those who may never have the opportunity of being recognized for their integrity, honesty, humility and dignity. They will never be able to lobby nor be lobbied for. The unrighteous will inadvertently be placed in positions of trust where they will defraud Nigeria. Doubtless there is some hot lobbying and falsification of integrity going on. My suggestion in this regard is that you set up a Special Bureau for purpose of vetting and authenticating the integrity of such distinct, special and unknown persons; confirming their sterling and outstanding qualities; and their impeachable credentials and letting Nigeria benefit from their services. This is one sure way of inhibiting the fraudulent infiltration of the chronically corrupt bunch into your government.
2. Doubtless Nigerians have earmarked some states as having assiduously worked against your election to the position of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I suggest that your urgent developmental actions start from those states, no matter how minimal they may be; to show your broadmindedness and determination to be a blessing to Nigeria and Nigerians by way of giving equal attention to all and sundry.
3. PENSIONS: Nothing morally justifies the granting of pension to governors for serving Nigeria extravagantly for two or four years. What qualifies an ex-governor of a state in Nigeria to earn a pension – no matter under what guise? Hard working and dedicated Nigerians do serve Nigeria faithfully and are led to death at old age by the wickedness of our government who grudge them pittance as pension. Most senior citizens are told that they do not qualify for any pension. Some die painfully waiting for the pittance known as pension. Suggestion: All ex-governors who already earn such pension should be compelled to return all they have so far earned.
4. There is this incredible flaw in our constitution. It is the granting of LUDICROUS IMMUNITY to the President and serving governors. Suggestion: That you encourage the removal of such incredible criminal temptation that energetically entrench and sustain the reprehensible culture of impunity.
5. ACCOUNTABILITY: Currently a president and serving governors are compelled to defraud the nation in the name of being assigned the responsibility of Chief Security Officers and therefore exempted from accounting for security funds. Security funds to such officials should not be made to serve as deliberate temptation to uphold the tradition of impunity and dishonesty. Suggestion: Deliver our President and Governors from this temptation and evil by making them fully accountable.
6. OFFICIAL FORMS: Currently, Tribe and Religion feature prominently on all official forms to be completed by Nigerians. Suggestion: Could Mr. President kindly consider influencing the expunging of TRIBE and RELIGION from all official forms to be completed by Nigerian Citizens?
7. OFFICIAL DESIGNATION OF ELECTED, APPOINTED GOVERNMENT FUNCTIONARIES AND LAWMAKERS. Currently, the designation of these office holders etc. are as follows: Excellency; Distinguished Senators, Honourable members and Ministers. Suggestion: These should be out rightly done away with and the pattern of just “Mr. President” emulated.
8. ELECTRICITY SUPPLY: Mr President-elect: needless delving into this painful issue as I know that you are also a victim of the cruelty of lack of adequate supply of electricity to all and sundry in Nigeria. Suggestion: Refuse being hoodwinked into the criminal myth of impossibility engendered by some supposedly very powerful and invincible cartel – surrounding the provision of electricity to Nigerians. Please go ahead in this regard, break this myth with every official powers you can muster and do to us as you would it be done unto you.
•Rev. (Dr.) Iloh, a Senior Citizen, wrote in from Lagos.