“Since the world has existed, there has been injustice. But it is one world, the more so as it becomes smaller, more accessible. There is just no question that there is more obligation that those who have should give to those who have nothing.”– Audrey Hepburn, actress and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.
Critics, political opponents and foes have gone to social media to portray a gesture borne out of compassion into something laced with hatred and lack of empathy, confirming the wise quote of Audrey Hepburn, actress and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. While we admit that the Rivers State Governor Chief Nyesom Wike, allowed his compassionate side have the best of him. We should sit back in our quiet corners to reflect, the kind of man, our Governor truly is. Contrary to what has been said about him Governor Wike’s heart reflects that of a true leader. “The power of human empathy, leading to collective action, saves lives, and frees prisoners. Ordinary people, whose personal well-being and security are assured, join together in huge numbers to save people they do not know, and will never meet….Unlike any other creature on this planet, humans can learn and understand, without having experienced. They can think themselves into other people’s places….We do not need magic to change the world, we carry all the power we need inside ourselves already: we have the power to imagine better.” – J.K. Rowling, author, philanthropist, and founder of the children’s charity, Lumos That quote from J.K Rowling, I would say, is the only fault of Governor Wike, who went to far away Sokoto, to commiserate and show support to traders, whose means of livelihood and years of hard work were razed in the twinkle of an eye by fire; an act not their fault but an action that has or could change their lives forever. Over 10,000 shops with goods worth several millions of naira, were destroyed. Governor Wike being his brother’s keeper, went to repay a favour he had received in the past when a similar incident occurred at the popular MILE One Market. Traders lost goods worth millions. In reaction to the pains felt by these traders, on October 14, 2014, the PDP national chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, visited Rivers State for empowerment/distribution of relief materials to the Rumowoji traders at the popular Mile 1 Market in the Diobu area of Port Harcourt, which was gutted by fire in December 2013. Mu’azu made a donation of N250 million to the traders on behalf of the PDP and announced to them that President Goodluck Jonathan had promised to rebuild the market. (source: Information Nigeria). Being a beneficiary of such benevolence, he felt duty bound to reciprocate the gesture, definitely not at the detriment of Rivers people or the Pensioners in the state, as mischievously canvassed.
THE GIVING CULTURE AND GOVERNANCE:
There exist a thin line between Philanthropy and Governance. The two variables are intertwined to the extent that states and nations depend on the support they can get during times of need, thus the development and nurturing of mutual relationships. Rivers State known for hospitality and referred to as the Garden city or Treasure base of the Nation, enjoys the benefit of spreading her charm throughout the country, maybe because on the Nigerian Map, she appears to be the pillar that holds the states together. In the history of Rivers State, it is on record that from 1999 when the political era began till 2015, when Wike took his oath of office to serve and protect Rivers people, past administrations have engaged in massive humanitarian activities within and outside Nigeria..
The administration of his predecessor and current Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, did not allow boundaries stop their humanitarian efforts, when in January 2010, Rivers State government announced the donation of five million syringes valued at N45 million, and $1 million cash to the victims of Haiti earthquake through the Clinton and Bush Foundation in support of the relief efforts in that country.
Amaechi had announced to journalists that the State Executive Council had made the decision to assist the Haiti earthquake victims. His words: “We got an e-mail from one Robin Bullock to the Managing Director of Rivers State Government Syringe Factory, requesting for assistance to help our brothers in Haiti, so, the Executive Council Meeting decided that we would give them syringes from our factory, but we would pay for the syringes, because we had commercialised the factory.” (Source: Nairaland)
Similarly, on January 19, 2010, the Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola announced a donation of $1million. “According to a press statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele, the State Executive Council under the Chairmanship of Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) took the decision after a review of the plight of Haitians in the aftermath of the recent devastating earthquake in the country. The Statement said the fund will be lodged at the Skye Bank Plc for subsequent transmission to the on-going aid programmes in Haiti adding that members of the State Executive Council have also made individual donations of N150,000 each in support of the fund while all well meaning members of the public and corporate organizations are also encouraged to support the fund. Meanwhile, Nigerian Eagle Airlines, formerly Virgin Nigeria Airways, is to introduce special on board envelopes on flights across its route network, to raise funds to support the ongoing humanitarian and rescue activities in Haiti. This, the airline said, is an integral part of its corporate social responsibility to help curtail the devastating effect of the earthquake, which affected Port-au-Prince and other neighbouring cities in Haiti. (Source: Nairaland)
“In the broad international mobilization to help the stricken people of Haiti, Africa is not lagging behind. Government officials, religious leaders, students, artists and many other Africans responded to the news of the devastating earthquake of 12 January with an immediate outpouring of support and solidarity. They sent messages of condolence and compassion and donated money and goods. By early February, some 21 countries in Africa had either donated or pledged more than $51 mn for Haitian relief efforts, according to available reports. That was just a tiny fraction of the total of $2 bn given or promised worldwide, but notable nonetheless for the continent with the world’s highest poverty rates. Among the biggest governmental contributors in Africa are: Morocco, which pledged some $33 mn in humanitarian assistance; Ghana, with $3 mn in emergency relief; the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which has promised $2.5 mn; and Equatorial Guinea, with a pledge of $2 mn. Nigeria, which has a contingent of more than 120 police serving with MINUSTAH, is giving $1.5 mn worth of humanitarian aid. “As the international community mobilizes in aid of Haiti,” said Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan, “it can count on Nigeria’s support.” Jean Ping, chairperson of the Commission of the African Union, the continent’s political body, urged all AU member states to provide assistance. Algeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Gambia, Namibia, Senegal and Tunisia have each donated $1 mn so far, and other countries are gearing up their own efforts. Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade in addition offered fertile land to any Haitians who wished to be “repatriated” to Africa.” (Source: Africa renewal)
Earlier in 2004, the United State announced that: “The United States is pledging $350 million to help tsunami victims, a tenfold increase over its first wave of aid, President Bush announced Friday. The U.S. aid contribution could rise even beyond that, if needed, Secretary of State Colin Powell said later in the day. That sum will provide a substantial boost to the overall international aid effort to areas stricken by Sunday’s tsunami. As of Thursday, nations had donated about $500 million toward the world’s largest-ever relief effort, including $250 million from the World Bank, but U.N. chief Kofi Annan said even more was needed. (NBC News, December 29, 2004)
In 2013, a popular producer and songwriter, Babatunde Okungbowa, aka OJB Jezreel, received $100,000 from Amaechi, for a kidney transplant (source: The Nigerian voice). Other former Governors, such as Owelle Rochas Okorocha, Senator Godswill Akpabio and several others, have made donations to individuals and states to the extent that they had come under fire for their benevolence. Reacting to one of such criticism, Akpabio, had told the wailers that the donations were captured in the budget, which makes the expenditure a part of the obligations of his government. His press secretary, Anietie Ukpe, wrote: ”six reasons why Governor Akpabio is not a reckless money spender. Please read them and tell us what you think:
1. All the money so far spent was budgeted and did not in any way negatively impact on the fortunes of Akwa Ibom and the people of the state.
2. The governor promised and actually donated only one Toyota Prado SUV to Tuface Idibia and his wife, Annie Macaulay, not two such vehicles, as was wrongly reported. When the most respected Highlife living legend, Dr. Victor Abimbola Olaiya, was honoured with the latest model of Toyota Avensis saloon car by Governor Fayemi of Ekiti State to mark his 80th birthday, did anybody complain?
3. The Governor promised to give twenty relatives of the bride, Annie Macaulay, who is an Akwa Ibom daughter, return tickets to Dubai to attend the wedding. The entire cost of these return tickets came down to just N3 million. Was that enough for such pent up fury?
4. On the donation of N6 million to the state chapter chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party at Port Harcourt, in the 2013 budget, there is a provision for Hospitality, Grants and Donations by the Governor under Section 467/169. This provision is not peculiar to Akwa Ibom State; it is an intrinsic part of all government budgets in the world. How leaders decide on donations is not subject to legislative scrutiny or control, just as the legislature does not control how the provision for the security vote is spent.
5. Concerning the donation of N230 million (N10 million per state) by twenty-three PDP states for developmental projects in Mr President’s immediate community, the projects involved included cancer diagnostic centre, nursery school, primary school, secondary school, skill acquisition centre, hostel for NYSC youths posted to Bayelsa, and a deanery for prayers. All those who are upset about this donation have the option to channel their own donations towards the building of shrines, or even to Satan.
6. There are also issues with the Governor saying that he “once gave a cash gift of N10m to the national Under-17 football team, the Golden Eaglets, for beating Mali in a first leg African Under-17 Championship qualifier in Calabar last November.” Not true! Governor Akpabio met the kids a few weeks earlier at Abuja Airport and on interaction learnt of their financial handicap in prosecuting major competitions outside Nigeria. He pledged N10 million support to the team and redeemed same at Calabar after the team’s match with Mali. Signed, Chief Press Secretary/Senior Special Assistant to Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Anietie Ukpe.” (source: Bella Naija)
THE PENSIONERS’ STORY
It is stupefying that most people develop selective amnesia when it comes to issues that bother on the reputation and integrity of others. The sad tale of the senior citizens of Rivers State dates back to 2003, years before the birth of the Wike led administration. Pensioners had to embark on protests, in order to register their demands. This had continued over the years, but when Wike took over from his predecessor, three months arrears owed these senior citizens, who had served the state meritoriously, were paid.
Despite not contesting for the Governorship position in 2023, political rivals are making frantic efforts at their smear game, just to paint a wrong image of a Governor who has outperformed other democratically elected Governors in the state, since its creation, while the facts are glaring for all to see.
”The governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike, has ordered the Accountant General of the state to pay pensioners their three months arrears owed them by the previous administration of Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. The governor, who gave the directive on Friday, said it was callous and insensitive to owe pensioners who have served the state creditably. All entreaties from the senior citizens to get Amaechi to pay them fell on deaf ears and did not yield positive results as the administration complained of lack of funds and depreciated revenue from the federation account. Some of the pensioners even died in penury and out of frustration. (source- PM news, July 2015)
While rumor mongers and talebearers continue with their agenda, the pensioners blamed the immediate past administration of the state for their plight.
“The administration preceding Wike enacted the contributory pension without preparations and plans for smooth take off; this has caused us untold hardship and even deaths,” they said.
The group, however, thanked Wike for repealing the pension law but pleaded with him to come to their aid by paying the arrears. (Pulse August 11, 2020).
In another publication, made by the State Chairman , Nigerian Union of Pensioners, Rivers State Chapter, Mr. Edward Festus-Abibo, and Secretary, Mr. Joseph Agbo, they wrote: “We regret to inform you that senior citizens of this state have not been paid their monthly pension allowance since January, 2015 to date (three months).
“We are suffering untold hardship under the midst of plenty. This kind of ugly situation has never occurred in the history of Rivers State. It is unbelievable that Rivers State Government owes pensioners when politicians and other workers have been paid up to March 2015.
“What evil have we committed that warrant this type of punishment? Before we were paid December, 2014, we protested twice and lost two of our members during the protest.
“What an ugly situation! Presently, some of our members had been sent to their grave because of lack of medical care and starvation.”
“Recently, pension increase of 33 percent has been approved with effect from 1st July, 2010 and the State Government had not implemented it.
“We therefore, call on the state government to pay our monthly pension allowances for the months of January, February and March 2015 and other outstanding increases on pensions from 2003 to date before the end of this month (April).” (Source Nairaland, April 20, 2015)
No matter how hard anyone tries to hide the facts, they are as bright as the morning sun and too sacred to be manipulated. While I do not have the authority to speak on behalf of the Governor of the State, as an individual who believes in objectivity and fairness, I have put my pen to paper. Or should I say, put my fingers to my computer. Gloria Boma Harry writes from Rivers State
