For some time now, the Nigerian media have been inundated with stories of corruption allegation levelled against the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, concerning an unverified claim that the Minister masterminded the procurement of two bulletproof cars through the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, one of the agencies she supervises.
The way and manner this story has been hitting the front pages of national newspapers only proved that there was more to it than meet the eye.
Anyway, the focus of this article is really on the flip side, the unquantifiable damage of the whole gimmicks of corruption allegation in Nigeria. Is it not now very clear that some politicians and never-do-wells who, by misadventure, have found themselves at certain areas of our national economy, aviation inclusive, wish to remain there even in their unproductive age?
I have listened to one of them, Captain Dele Ore, during a conference in Lagos. He has maintained and continues to emphasize that aviation is all about getting the human capital right. Then, he confused his standpoint as he advocated and still advocates that politicians should not be allowed to head Aviation Ministry and agencies.
Here is the error: Is Capt. Ore saying that if an aviation expert delves into politics, he should hands off aviation matters? But again, is Ore apolitical? I think his stand does not hold water. The world over, you cannot separate economics from politics. The Aviation Round Table expert, Capt.Ore, should have known that the two are inseparable partners.
So, this Captain might just be seeking for something he is not getting in aviation sector and Nigerians now know that he will continue to move around the table (Aviation Round Table!) until he gets it. And what does he want? Like the Biblical Herodias, the head of any Aviation Minister he did not appoint! Anyway, we cannot continue to live in the past with this man’s outdated argument in aviation matters.
The nation has clamoured overtime that her best abroad should return home to facilitate development. President Jonathan has harkened to this clarion call. Then there was Prof. Bath Nnaji! Did he find his feet in the murky politics of position and grandstanding bedevilling our body politics?
What of Prof. Adenike Grange, the first female Minister of Health during the late President Yar’Adua’s administration? She was said to have held many strategic international positions where she has distinguished herself at the apogee of health sector management and administration. But did she survive the corruption allegation missile, which has become the modern tool of political witch-hunting in Nigeria? We can go on and on! And this tactics is being used against the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah today.
Nigerians must begin to unravel the intents of those who accuse others of corruption before joining the bandwagon. Yes, it is true that Nigerians have suffered mismanagement of bad rulers who pounced on our collective wealth like the hungry lion in the past.
But should we then kill today’s cook on account of yesterday’s hunger if she was not responsible for it? This is my point: If we cannot determine the purpose for which such allegations are instituted, it is incumbent on us to jettison them for the general good of the society.
I say this because the Aviation Ministry brouhaha has clearly shown that most of these accusations are generated from questionable quarters, more especially from those who have lost a bid to illegally enrich themselves from our common wealth at the detriment of the Nigerian people. This trend of mouthing corruption against the nation’s finest, who have made a success in their various careers in life, must stop if Nigeria must attract her best home to contribute their quota for accelerated national development.
Mr Muhammed Olayinka, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Ibadan Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Mr. Muhammed, thank you for this article. My question to you is that are they invited to come and waste our resources or help to build the nation? If they know what to do, why they are in their respective offices and have a clean bill of stewardship they will not join the bandwagon of the corrupt politician or take the advantage of the faulty and weak systems of governance that is in place in Nigeria. They have held positions internationally and have good records but that does not mean or prove that they don't have corrupt tendencies, because the systems put in place over there do not give room for corrupt practices. As we all know, that the ultimate measure of man's character is what he will do when he knows or feels that no one will question or investigate him and nobody is watching him. So brother, don't let us attach sentiments to sensitive and serious issues like this one. Just follow the leadings of the committee setup by themselves and the process/procedure of buying those vehicles and the documents tendered by Cossharis motors. You will see that the deal is well packaged.
ReplyDeleteBless u guy
DeleteBless u guy
DeleteNa thief be that woman jooi
ReplyDeleteBRAVO!!! Good write-up. i will appoint u the deputy minister of the aviation sect. IDIOT.
ReplyDeleteMr Ola if you have been paid to write this, you cannot decieve Nigeria. The other cars bought by FAAN, who is using it? Can only she use the four vehicle? How can there be a minister in the ministry and agency under her watch are acquiring expensive vehicle for no just cause while nigerian are suffering.
ReplyDeleteMr Muhammed, tnx for ds piece. Never mind d comments of these NEVER DO WELLS. If put into power, they wl do no better than Stella.
ReplyDeleteWhen absurdity is the norm people like mohammed can afford to dance naked for the of brown envilop
ReplyDeleteMr muhammed or whatever u call urself u are a goat, I believe she has opened her legs 4 you. Or you are also a thief. Pls we don't want to see your writeup anymore. GEJ, what are you still waiting 4. We want Oduah sacked.
ReplyDeleteWell it's a pitty if such an amount of millions can be waste on just a male cars wHich can't be count as proties while our fellow youths graduate n the rest of that are outside there crying 4 just a job yet nothing positively Is been done abt it after spending years in Skul stodying to come out n take a stand in order to recover all that he or she hast lost yet no one seems to help is a pitty. May God help Nigeria!
ReplyDeleteWhat is this! Is it anger or you don't really know how to punctuate your sentences? Please try to make sense when u comment.Its not by force.
DeleteI wonder Oº°˚˚˚°!!! See local trouble for that long sentence void of meaning.
DeleteWell it's a pitty if such an amount of millions can be waste on just a male cars wHich can't be count as proties while our fellow youths graduate n the rest of that are outside there crying 4 just a job yet nothing positively Is been done abt it after spending years in Skul stodying to come out n take a stand in order to recover all that he or she hast lost yet no one seems to help is a pitty. May God help Nigeria!
ReplyDeleteGEJ, pls sack Oduah. EFCC wait n deal wth her appropriately.we cant continue like dis anymore. REVOLUTION is looming d air in 9ja.
ReplyDeleteIt's clear that this writer was definitely paid to do this or he's one of the Numerous Sycophant's traversing the corridors of government in search of their selfish Interest. You need to hide your head in shame;you and your Principal ....She should take a cue from what happens in Normal countries and resign her appointment before she's disgraced out of office.
ReplyDeleteWhat an apologist!
ReplyDeleteMr writer, a miniter was prosecuted and jailed for attempting to take bribe in Australia, must we wait till our resources go down the drain? If a minister requires a bullet proof BMW car for protection what do we say of the President Commander in Chief, why didn't the ministry go thru due process to acquire this. It is only God that grant safe. He has our life in the hollow of his hand. I think we should look @ how to better the industry, bring down the sky rocketing price of transport in the system. One thing is key, we shall stand to give account before God.
ReplyDeleteTruth and change are the only two things which are constant. In the case of Oduah, sentiments apart the truth has prevailed. No concrete evidence against her and so all these hatred should stop. If the investigation finds her guilty beyond all reasonable doubt let her go. But for you to call for her head just because you hate GEJ, Her or PDP and wants APC to win by every means will not work. Use of blackmail against GEJ and the government will no longer be condoned nor work. Enough of using fabricated lie and blackmail through the hired/paid press such as punch, without proper verification/investigation. Though many Nigerians fall to this trick and quickly join the bandwagon to criticize without waiting to hear from all the sides, as long as a perceived enemy is involved. This is too bad for the nation. You attack Mohammed because he is not bias nor bigotry and sees things from neutral spectrum. He should be applauded for his courage to tell the truth in mist of bias and lopsided critics and press.
ReplyDeletethis is a very useless article. is the writer oblivious of the poverty pervading the nation and the outrageous level of unemployment. has he also juxtaposed the cost of each of those vehicles intended to be used by a MINISTER to that used by the PRIME MINISTER of the UK and several other world leaders? even if those cars were bought using the laid down process by the procurement Act is the cost morally justified in the face of the poverty in the nation and decay in the aviation industry? that money could have been put in perimeter fencing of most if not all our airports or lightening of all run ways or other pressing needs in the economy. Mr Olayinka, I think you should put your literary efforts into more productive ventures if you have run out of ideas on what to write about, do not make Nigerians look stupid and foolish
ReplyDeleteIt is obvious that This is a sponsored article. The minister is fighting back and she is using the media. Afterall this whole thing started from the media. I'm very disappointed that NE allowed itself to be used by the minister and her cronies.
ReplyDeleteThe writer mentioned Prof Grange & Prof Nnaji in the article. Were they accused falsely?. I honestly don't understand why these 2 people that were minding their own business jeje had to be brought into this.
It would be nice if the minister can follow the path of honour and resign.
There is no excuse for Stella.
DeleteIf she is truely honourable and innocent,she should resign and apologise for this "MISTAKE".
Why was Stella made Aviation Minister? We need aviation experts for this sensitive position
the writer has a right to his opinion, we should not crucify him. let us be patient and wait for the committee's final report and recommendation.But judging from d testimonies posited during d committee's sitting she over stretched her powers, so snd should b ready to take d consequences when meted out.
ReplyDeleteOne is not a thief if he or She has opportunity to steal but did not,One can have all the good records because He has not seen opportunity to steal,The problem with all these diaspora is that the are exposed to high class life and cannot afford to leave in the Nigeria economic situation,They should be giving positions of technical partners or coach and placed on contract so that when the work is done they leave ,in this way they will expose all the wrongs in the system rather than being part of the wrong,I believe something is wrong in this our land, good people come over here they become devils,This is spiritual manipulation, Its not ordinary cos this woman was clean to the core before, how come,God help Nigeria,we need prayers
ReplyDeleteGo and take a back seat in hell for this stupid write up. How much was stolen with the pancake airport renovation? You should know. Mumu. Stella is a thief.
ReplyDeleteNigerias finest indeed.Is she anything close to Prof Adenike Grange and Osuji that got disgraced for no just cause in this same country?This seems to me a paid write up but we cannot be fooled.She got there not because of her track record but because she campaigned for Jona
ReplyDeleteNo smoke without fire.
ReplyDeleteIf they are as intelligent as you say, they will resign, allow proper investigation. Didn't they learn anything from traveling out?
The other time Iweala was shuttling China in express trains. Yet she goes about in convoy in Naa je rai(nigeria)
let the truth b said, if the national assembly did not denie bugdeting such mony for cars to b used for a span of five yrs for d ministry so as to convay forigne expacts y den do pple get so bitterd on her or is that they want to believe wat they want to believ, anyway wateve they believe the truth will stil b the truth. Nick
ReplyDelete