Emmanuel Ogar|19 February 2016|2:07pm
Governor Ben Ayade is the luckiest politician in Nigeria for having dedicated aides at his beck and call without monthly stipend; sorry salary or employment, ah, appointment letter for over ten (10) whopping months. I hope I’m not trying to cry more than the bereaved?
At the wee hours of today, as usual, I was cogitating about the welfare of Nigerians in the face of the monstrous vicissitude hammering us as a people; and the moribund and omnishambles economy of our dear country. Even how I could effect positive changes in my little capacity didn’t stray away. Where were we coming from and how we got here equally found an expression too. Which action did we take or didn’t take was another issues of my contemplation. Did we ply the wrong route? I asked. Like a still harmonious voice, something reverberated in my consciousness thus: all ways; steps, routes, or roads leads to a destination. These were the bugging mist in my mind.
While still floating on that instantaneous buoyancy in the above reference state of cognizance, there was an oscillatory moves towards the actions or inactions of the occupants of Cross River State government as it concerns the wellbeing of the governor’s aides. Why bother yourself? This is because some of the aides are people I know and had in one time or the other shared common interest together. Therefore, I should be concerned and show solidarity to them because whatsoever that touches the eyes equally affect the nose.
Most of them are doing tremendous jobs. Especially the Online Media Team (OMT). The mega joules of energies dissipated on a daily basis and the rigor of trying to paint this seemingly faceless government beautifully bright is indeed a Herculean task. Sometimes, such dedication goes beyond sheer sycophancy. Maybe, it must be enthusiasm. It baffled me when I authoritatively confirmed that these guys haven’t been paid or given appointments letters. In fact, of all the numerous appointments, only a minuscule of about five (5) persons have gotten the letter, namely: Chief-of-staff, SSG, SA on Security, Head of Service and … you may add the fifth portfolio. Some of these media men have had their faces severally and severely punctured by the jabs thrown at the garrulous governor.
Conversely, their social conditions aren’t descent. Shamefully enough, the intransigent governor is unrepentantly less-concerned about their quandary. So sorry brethren! Maybe like the teachers, your reward is great in heaven if and only if you make it there. Please kindly accept the assurances of my deepest sympathy.
Government under the superintendency of Liyel Imoke, you remember that huge, soft spoken man, the only man that was born with silver-spoon but wasn't spoon-fed? Huh! He attached an official car and a driver to each of his boy-boy. I vividly remember seeing Hilary Bisong, you should know him ‘nah’ the then PA to the governor on Students’ Affairs that destroyed the sanctity of students’ unionism and NACRISS-World Wide in particular? He was always enjoying the owner’s seat.
What about our hi-tech governor? Well, the governor is religiously junketing around with over 50 glamorous cars and about six outlandish power bikes in his convoy. While his younger brother whom political pundits christened the defacto governor is equally competing with his elder brother in gallivanting the metropolis in the paraphernalia of a governor. The competition is stiff. No one knows when this madness will stop.
Their SAs and Pas are trekking long distances to work. The airwave was recently saturated on how a boutique owner was embarrassing one in the public for the pair of suits he bought on credit that he was yet to pay. O’ what’s happening? Lord have mercy!
Sometimes, I don’t even blame the governor because even the said aides aren’t helping matter at all. They propagate propaganda in all available trajectories and the man feels he’s doing well. How often the State Executive Council meeting does holds per month? They will tell us that the governor has slashed his salary by 50% because they believe that the masses will swallow hook, line and the sinker they’re putting forward. Who is fooling who? You need not be told that Liyel Imoke is biting his tongue and chopping off his finger over mistaken choice of the professor. Go ask him if you doubt me.
The Queen can do no wrong is to the British. The reverse is the case in our clime. Someone should remind the governor that he’s in a Queer Street. Perhaps, he doesn’t understand that the proof of the pudding is in the eating (people are judged by their actions). I repeat again, a labourer is worthy of his wage. Those who plough the sands for you should be rewarded earnestly without delaying. These same media aides reported you pay civil servants on or before the 20th of every month—why won’t you extend this kind gesture to them too? Well, I don’t know your plans. But take notice of the fact that he that will not when he may, when he will, he shall have nay.
As usual, may God bless the governor, protect him and his family; grant him knowledge, wisdom and understanding to pilot the affairs of our state in line with his electioneering promises.
Let wise counsel prevail.
Comr. Ogar, Emmanuel O.
*Is a friend of the oppressed, abused and downtrodden. *Coordinator, Youths Alliance for Northern Cross River Dreams (YANCRID). Modern League of Classical Experimental Writers(MLCEW).