Yesterday, the national distraction single: Ngozi Okonjo Iweala for World Bank Presidency was thrown out of the shelves. The World Bank’s board preferred to ride with Obama’s nominee Mr. J. Kim who will fill the position incumbent president Mr. Robert Zollick will vacate come June this year.
At a time when key national issues pressed hard and sought maximum attention, the federal government led by a former lecturer thought it wise to distract Nigerians and released a single: Ngozi Okonjo Iweala for World Bank presidency. And like a Tuface release, it hit the airwaves and had everyone singing it. The media was awash with tales of her profile and the possibility of her taking over an organization that has forever been run by Americans. A common feature in Nigeria is the thought that the wishbone will replace the backbone or to say it another way, hopeless optimism.
It is this hopeless optimism that makes Nigerians believe against the odds, that her Super Eagles will qualify for the World Cup when the results is not in their favour. They bring up scientific calculators and use the word ‘if’ as though it were some magic word that brings unmerited success. The Nigerian believes it his right to have everything go his way whether or not he deserves it. When the Nigerian looses, they are awakened to sudden reality, there will be no moving into that castle built in the air.
Mrs. Iweala though has surprised many in congratulating her rival and sending messages of goodwill. Most Nigerian politicians are still in court challenging victories of opponents and will remain bitter and adamant for months to come but not Nigeria’s minister of finance. But while analysts were writing pieces to praise her spirit, she went ahead to assert that her loss was as a result of favoritism and not merit, in other words, the board had done what we call in street parlance “ojoro.”
With that distraction out of the way and from our newspapers, we will face an issue that has bedeviled Nigeria without mercy, corruption. The judiciary here in Nigeria for reasons known to their lordships have never been able to convict ex governors or ministers sufficiently. Sloppy prosecution, lack of evidence, political influence, smiling in the dock as though it were your graduation from university have been some of the reasons for such a failure to convict as many corrupt ex politicians. The Southwark Crown Court in London will have none of these though. James Ibori will not be let free or given the term of a juvenile.
Sorry but there will not be an “ojoro” in this case.
But what is curious is the obvious attempt by Ibori to bring ojoro into the case by having his lawyer Mr. Purnell introduce former footballer John Fashanu who gave a character witness testimony to the court. Fashanu told the court that Ibori had before now built stadiums where rooky players have grown to become internationally acclaimed footballers. Fash as he is also called told the court in no small terms that one such rooky turned player is Austin Jay Jay Okocha. Ibori’s path to sainthood is being perfected there in Southwark. The verdict will be released shortly.
Time has come when they who will be champions must rise and work like champions. There is no wishing and using ifs or expecting to use ojoro to get things when things do not go our way. But just what is our sense of justice centered on with Fashanu’s testimony this morning? Our judiciary must be able to show true character while those who prosecute corrupt officials must show a passion worthy of emulation. No society can advance where the people fail to face their issues.
At a time when key national issues pressed hard and sought maximum attention, the federal government led by a former lecturer thought it wise to distract Nigerians and released a single: Ngozi Okonjo Iweala for World Bank presidency. And like a Tuface release, it hit the airwaves and had everyone singing it. The media was awash with tales of her profile and the possibility of her taking over an organization that has forever been run by Americans. A common feature in Nigeria is the thought that the wishbone will replace the backbone or to say it another way, hopeless optimism.
It is this hopeless optimism that makes Nigerians believe against the odds, that her Super Eagles will qualify for the World Cup when the results is not in their favour. They bring up scientific calculators and use the word ‘if’ as though it were some magic word that brings unmerited success. The Nigerian believes it his right to have everything go his way whether or not he deserves it. When the Nigerian looses, they are awakened to sudden reality, there will be no moving into that castle built in the air.
Mrs. Iweala though has surprised many in congratulating her rival and sending messages of goodwill. Most Nigerian politicians are still in court challenging victories of opponents and will remain bitter and adamant for months to come but not Nigeria’s minister of finance. But while analysts were writing pieces to praise her spirit, she went ahead to assert that her loss was as a result of favoritism and not merit, in other words, the board had done what we call in street parlance “ojoro.”
With that distraction out of the way and from our newspapers, we will face an issue that has bedeviled Nigeria without mercy, corruption. The judiciary here in Nigeria for reasons known to their lordships have never been able to convict ex governors or ministers sufficiently. Sloppy prosecution, lack of evidence, political influence, smiling in the dock as though it were your graduation from university have been some of the reasons for such a failure to convict as many corrupt ex politicians. The Southwark Crown Court in London will have none of these though. James Ibori will not be let free or given the term of a juvenile.
Sorry but there will not be an “ojoro” in this case.
But what is curious is the obvious attempt by Ibori to bring ojoro into the case by having his lawyer Mr. Purnell introduce former footballer John Fashanu who gave a character witness testimony to the court. Fashanu told the court that Ibori had before now built stadiums where rooky players have grown to become internationally acclaimed footballers. Fash as he is also called told the court in no small terms that one such rooky turned player is Austin Jay Jay Okocha. Ibori’s path to sainthood is being perfected there in Southwark. The verdict will be released shortly.
Time has come when they who will be champions must rise and work like champions. There is no wishing and using ifs or expecting to use ojoro to get things when things do not go our way. But just what is our sense of justice centered on with Fashanu’s testimony this morning? Our judiciary must be able to show true character while those who prosecute corrupt officials must show a passion worthy of emulation. No society can advance where the people fail to face their issues.
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