Re: Open Letter To President Aliko Dangote IIByYushau A. Shuaibyashuaib@yahoo.comReading the third article of Abdul Isa Kofarmata on the above in gamji.com, the first as a reference to my earlier opinion titled “On President Aliko Dangote of Nigeria,” I feel a sense of responsibility to respond to his recent piece, which was too personal, offensive and failed to address core issues and proffer realistic solutions. While in my earlier writing I had to disagree with Dangote and his business alliance on attempted acquisitions of public assets, I admitted my admiration and tremendous respect for this young Northerner who treads where others have failed and remained consistent in pursuing his legitimate business in a dicey economic and political environment. The easiest thing in expressing an opinion is destructive criticism that has negative implications on the society. Instead of encouraging the targets to do the right things, a baseless condemnation hardens their heart and discourages them from social service. This rejoinder intends to take up on the issues raised by Kofarmata by quoting his exact words in the sequence of his outburst. In his first paragraph Kofarmata described ‘Dangote as Chief Financier of Obasanjo tenure elongation project’…and that ‘the president was ill-advised, misled or ignorantly misguided by some opportunist.’ Though Dangote might have been a financier of the political ambition of the President, he is known to support not only one party or an individual but other political parties and personalities too who seek his assistance. It is rather unfortunate that in our society today, to avoid treading the suicidal path, businesses have to support the government in many ways. We are witnesses to dwindled fortunes or closures of some financial institutions, transport businesses and factories due to alleged victimization from sensitive quarters on flimsy excuses. In the next paragraph he states that Dangote ‘who in the ordinary economic sense contributes nothing to our economy…’ and goes further to add that ‘our people are battling with the high cost of essential commodities such as sugar, flour, cement as masterminded by the president (Dangote)’ I do hope the writer lives in Nigeria and goes to the market for shopping. It is wrong not to appreciate the reality of Dangote products which are more affordable compared to other foreign products. Not only does he invest wisely and produce at home, his products are competitive and of international standard. Kofarmata points out that Dangote’s ‘actions and inactions have led into the present state of anguish, hunger and economic situation.’ Haba! This is highly scandalous and libelous to attribute those generalized ills to an individual who is neither a public institution nor a regulatory body that are required to address our national problems. In another paragraph he mentions that Dangote has received a lot of concession ‘as well the fraudulent purchase of our national assets without economic infrastructural development.’ While I am concerned about the selling of our assets to a few individuals (as I raised in that article), Dangote is known for exploring new and virgin conductive environment to set up businesses from foundation level. He didn’t acquire one of the largest cement companies in Africa Obajana; he founded it. He has similar factories, where he builds and deploys infrastructures, across the nation. It is undeniable fact that while his group acquired few public assets through competitive bidding, he was defeated in other acquisitions by local and multinational companies. In another breath, the writer castigates Intercontinental Bank for naming the hostel it built in Bayero University Kano, after Dangote. The writer needs to know that such gestures by corporate organizations are either made by the contribution of those honoured or their contribution towards such projects. So we should not be surprise if Dangote might have influenced the construction of the hostel in BUK. Probably the intension of the writer manifests in concluding paragraphs when he pleads with Dangote that ‘the good people of Kura Local government are daily yearning for investment in wheat irrigation and production’ he also mentioned that ‘many students in Alfindiki and Koki quarters are searching for a scholarship foundation similar to what Dr. Adenuga establishes in his hometown.’ This is an encouraging statement, which could have been made without necessarily being abusive. I am aware of a foundation Dangote established recently with eminent personalities in its board. The mission statement of that foundation, which was widely publicized in the media, is to address some of those issues The writer gives a moving account of Dangote textile workers in Kano ‘who demonstrated over the non-payment of their eight months salaries and other terminal benefits and similarly of about 300 staff (mostly northerners) recently sacked by Dangote group.’ He ended that paragraph with appeal to the millionaire ‘to embark on some social responsibility projects, especially PRISON renovation…where proper placement of individuals and corporate organization is forecasted using present situation in the country.’ This doesn’t really make sense. One must appeal to Dangote to consider the plights of his workers and address their grievances if the allegation in Kofarmata’s piece is true. But does imprisonment of an employer serve the workers any good, when we know what it takes to run a business today? It is also dishonest to fail to note that most of the textile firms in the Northern Nigeria have closed shop due to the economic crunch. It is even a miracle to hear of the existence of such companies in that part of the country due to the epileptic electricity supply and the antics of smugglers who made our genuine industrialists to be at disadvantage. It is saddening to recall Kano’s past glorious reputation as industrial state compares to the present situation of its popular industrial estates at Bompai, Sharada, Challawa etc that are more of ghost towns. While Kofarmata joins others who demand the boycott of products of pro-third-termers, he further calls on all the electronic media to campaign not only against Dangote as a person, but also ‘other Dangote products such as flour, Danvita, pasta, Dansa Juice, salt in addition to the cement.’ He even describes them as ‘poisonous Dangote products.’ In the subsequent paragraph, which is full of repetitions, he calls on ‘progressive governors and state houses of assemblies …to place embargo and ban all those products in their respective states.’ Any rational mind would know that this embarrassing call is unwarranted. I won’t blame the writer. Would that be his genuine advice if he and any member of his family work and earn their living in those companies? Please let’s put sentiments and pettiness aside and concentrate on constructive criticism that can bring about positive and realistic challenges. In his conclusion while commending some notable Northerners who are related to Dangote for their contribution to their community and religion, asks why the businessman should donate ‘N50million to the mosques rehabilitation and N200 million to the dubious presidential library.’ I love and respect my religion so much, I must therefore be cautious to avoid being misinterpreted. Unlike donation to public charity and CSR, contributions to spiritual programme/exercise don’t require one to shout to higher heaven. It is better to donate generously to religious activities in anonymity than make fictitious donations that are hardly redeemed afterward.
Last Word: We should encourage our people to do better without condemn them to unnecessarily public ridicule. As Kofarmata is very concerned about the “North” how come we couldn’t mobilize to save Bank of the North from extinction? And how come of all the 25 consolidated banks only about two (2) have northerners as chief executive (MDs)? Do you know that the FASTEST bill ever passed by National Assembly was the one that abolished ON-SHORE-OFFSHORE DICHOTOMY? And do you know the implication of the passage even though there were Northern members during the deliberation? Please we are all Nigerians let love one another and promote our best.
Yushau A. Shuaib Wuye Estate, Abuja |