Who Is Nuhu Ribadu And The EFCC?

By

Abubakar Adamu, MSc, MCILT.

England, UK.

Adamu5@aol.com

 

 

There are good guys and bad guys in every society. That is why I try my best at an opportunity to appreciate and praise the goodness in some people. Those who choose to be bad should be pitied but not ignored and guide and wish them to turn good. It is in human nature that those who do well are always remembered with fond memory for a very long time. The bad guys are cursed in our prayers forever because they harm and changes individuals or society development. Those who suffer in Uganda under Idi Amin will curse him forever.  And equally those who suffer under various bad leaders in Nigeria will curse them forever.

 

I celebrate even the smallest kindness shown to me by a Man or a Woman. I found Nigerians to be a unique set of human species among the children of Adam and Eve family. Nigerians are good critiques and slow to appreciate and praise well some good things. Some of my compatriots enjoying insulting other people, we are beginning to forget the tradition of celebrating and praising those who uplifts our or the community spirits or progress a little bit. We have the pretence of innocence and naivety of hoping to change ourselves or leaders but underneath aiding and abetting our downfalls and uplifting the leaders’ personal gains.

 

Most Nigerians have the appearance, looks of sophistication and wise, the attitudes of ME know-it-all or play a fool to fool a benefactor. I once read a poster in my Uncle Office in Nigeria, which contained some words like, “…those who do not know that they do not know, do not know they do not know …” The smartness and manipulation of the 419-ners tells you if a Nigerian put his or her mind to do something, an impossible task becomes possible. Nigerians are resilient and shrewd. You read how clever and meticulous the 419 thieves operate and if the energy and planning are use for positives, Nigeria will be ranking a developed Country. Some of the 419 thieves flitters into politics and have easy access to government treasury.

 

The ingenuity with which the government officials used to steal money if use to implement development programmes, the story about Nigeria will be different. People like Dariye of Plateau State and ‘Madam’ Alami of Balyesa State (ex-governor) are typical 419 guys entrusted with government treasury and caught red-handed looting. Machiavelli (a political/government thinker) often quotes and misquotes by analysts and political mischief, warned public fund looters, if a Public Officer steals public wealth or abused their women; he or she will loose peoples respect and their wrath.

 

Sometimes, I think many Nigerians waste a lot of energy and intellect on issues that demand less use of energy and debates. The recent so-called ‘death’ of Third-term agenda was an overblown and over the top hypes. But I have predicted that the so-called third-term will fail before it was killed, I gave my reasons: - www.kwenu.com/publications/adamu/obasanjo_praise.htm

Armed robberies are now public nuisance, lack of electricity and other social amenities are people daily concern, yet there are no intensive debates and head-banging. Apart from the ‘elites’ and ruling groups, an average Nigerian now do not care who is the President as long as he or she serve the people. People have had enough of tribal, regional or religious allegiance and end up worse off and the ‘leaders’ and their family always gains the power/influence and material benefits/security. So who is fooling who?

 

President Olusegun Obasanjo (aka Obj) has achieved a lot during his tenure and I wish him once again the best of everything on his retirement from active politics. I wish he remains relevant as others on Nigeria politics as a Statesman. Obj brought some best Nigerians brains into his administration, especially the quartets of el-Rufai, Okonjo-Iweala, Akunyili and Ribadu. If those guys were appreciated, given cooperation and encouragement, Nigeria would have yields the results of their work. Nigeria is a damaged Country; to have some group of people with power and influence admitting we have problems and try to do something about is praiseworthy. Obj is not perfect and cannot solve all of our problems but history will be kind to him and say he tried his best. However when it come to Human Right abuse, we must not compromise to any leader, our dignity and self-respect is the only personal thing an individual has even if he or she is rich or poor.

 

I choose to pick on work of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and EFCC (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission). Because Nigeria problems in the main include corruption and indiscipline, corruption is not only government officials stealing public/government monies but may include favouritism, given jobs or appointments to people who may be incapable to perform the duties. Almost every Nigerian you meet complaints about corruption and other vices of our society, even those who are practising the corruption. My Igbo people would say, “If you no sabi catch thief, thief go say na you bi thief”

 

One would think when Obj created EFCC and appointed Ribadu and others to check-mate corrupt people, Nigerians would be happy. Ribadu alone cannot change Nigeria but he is playing his part to effect change and a step forward for our development. Ribadu was accused as an Obj’s WMD (Weapon of Mass Destruction) the critiques say; Ribadu and Company only pursues Obj political enemies. Those are not fair comments. If Obj enemies are corrupt, should they be left alone? Are former Police Chief Tafa Balogun and one Mr. Sunday (his Class-mate?) not Obj friends? If Obj friends or his enemies are caught in the net and are not corrupt, the charges will not stick. And if Ribadu fail to touch Obj friends now, the next President may pursues the others. Therefore, as a start the EFCC can go round the houses and put fear into corrupt people’s minds. No good crying corruption and when something is being done, people are crying foul! I beg comot for my face. No one should underestimate the power and influence of Ribadu.

 

Nuhu Ribadu’s father was a Minister for Lagos, Minister for Works and the first Defence Minister under Prime Minister Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa when Nigeria gained its Independence in 1960. Alhaji Muhammadu Ribadu, a highly respected politician and was among the Inner-Circle of Sir Ahmadu Bello, the most powerful individual in the history of the then Northern Nigeria. Ribadu is therefore not an opportunist or hungry for power. As part of Northern elite and ruling class, Ribadu has a political and administrative pedigree. I guess he learnt early about hard work, public service and not to be corrupt or abuse power.

 

Many Nigeria politicians and public servants gives us illusion not solution but mere promises and deceits. Every government will invent its spin to what they are doing or not doing; sensible people know reality and delusion. My fellow Nigerians, let us give credit when a credit is due. If we are serious about attacking corruption to enable us have sustainable development, let us praise President Olusegun Obasanjo initiative on the EFCC project and support Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and EFCC team.

 

Abubakar Adamu is a Transport Logistician and Freelance Researcher