JONATHAN: THIS MESSIAH IS SPENDING FAR TOO MUCH

JONATHAN: THIS MESSIAH IS SPENDING FAR TOO MUCH 

                                                                                              December, 2010.

       

By the time Jonathan finish his term maybe next year or 2015, and some of his ‘achievements’ are assessed, some Nigerians will do what they know how to do best; lament after a deed is done. Rarely do you find Nigerians taking on government when it is in power. It happened in the first republic when everyone knew that our politicians then were spending far too much than their salaries, but no one complained. The greatest African writer, Chinua Achebe, in his novel, A Man of the People, chronicled this period. When the military took over in 1966, everyone started talking about the profligacy of the previous government, the obvious corruption and other vices of the defunct government.

This also happened during the last Obasanjo’s regime. When Obasanjo was in power, everyone was talking about this achievement or that one. Only the opposition parties and some journalists voiced concern. But when Obasanjo left, all Nigerians became public commentator over night lamenting the excessive corruption of the regime. The reason why this happens will be a discussion for another day.

 This is what is happening again now. In our euphoria of celebration of the coming of our ‘saviour’, messiah and God’s sent prophet, all of us are turning the other eye to the extravagance of this administration. Though the spending of this abysmal public fund started during Yar’adua’s rule, Goodluck has continued on a higher and dangerous note.

Today, Nigeria foreign reserve is highly depleted. Our local debt is over $32 Billion which is actually more than the Paris Club’s debt Nigeria was forgiven during Obasanjo’s period. The respected World Bank managing director, Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, recently admonished the government to arrest this trend. So did Charles Soludo (who government later ‘named’ prophet of doom). But instead of government arresting this terrible situation, government came out and gave a rosy picture of the economy. Government said the present debt level of Nigeria is just 16% of the GDP and until the debt is 25% of the GDP no one can say the economy is choked. Few days later, government said it was planning to borrow more than $4 billion from various donor agencies.  With this, one would tend to believe that Goodluck is bent on squandering all of our reserves and acquire debt for the coming generation just like Babangida did.

We wouldn’t have had any right to criticize the government for borrowing if those monies have been used in developmental projects. But findings show that only 20% of the money has gone into capital projects, the remaining was shared among the three tiers of government.  The inflation rate is not decreasing and is well over 10%. The unemployment rate is very much alarming and businesses are dying every day. Even the power project the government claimed it is spending on is anything but improving. The sector is riddled with unnecessary controversies. So the question we should all be asking now is how we are spending the money. Or rather how are they spending our money?

But you can certainly trust Nigerians; no one will ask any question now. We are all busy marvelling at the political career of Jonathan. Nigerians, young and old, are singing the song of our messiah has come. Just because Goodluck Jonathan has prospered at the expense of two his boss made most Nigerians see him as a special person. Our rather unfortunate belief in luck has continued to be our undoing. No country has ever been run on luck. It takes far more than that. When some people accuse Goodluck of inexperience, one tends to agree with them. His conduct in office since May has been anything but inspiring and if we were under a saner clime he wouldn’t be thinking about contesting for any election.

Let me conclude by saying that Nigerians should acquire the courage of critically assessing the government of the day. We should learn not to allow our emotion and religious belief to over cloud our sense of judgement. If Goodluck is the messiah then he is spending far too much for a messiah. GOD SAVE THE FEDERATION!!!

This article was earlier published in the NATION newspaper of december 30, 2010

TOWARDS A DEMOCRACY THAT DELIVER

TOWARDS A DEMOCRACY THAT DELIVER

                                                                                                           JUNE 2010.

1.0  Introduction

Today, democracy is the most popular type of government in the world. Democracy, defined by the immortal 16^th United States President, Abraham Lincoln as the government of the people by the people and for the people, has continued to attract new countries.

The practice of democracy can be traced back to the early Greek civilization. Dr Oyebade Olowogboyega in his lecture at a public symposium  organised by the Osun State Council of Nigeria Union of  Journalists on may 29, 2010 remarks   ‘ Greek enjoyed the pride of place in the early advent of human civilization particularly the advent of democracy in 6^th Century BC by the Greek Athenians...’  Since the early days, democracy has continued to grow. Presently, more than 70 percent of the world population is living under some kinds of democracy.  It can be argued that the best of example of an ideal democracy is practiced in the United States, which started practising democracy some 220 years ago.

Despite the obvious preference for this type government in the world today, discontentment and disappointment among people living under democracy is not negligible. Even in the United States, there are reported cases of disillusionment about democracy, election and governments among people.  What are the things people living under democratic governments usually expect from their governments? What are those things that make democracy an ideal government? Why are people getting disappointed about democracy? What are those things that can be done to make democracy work properly so that its dividends can reach everyone? These and others questions we intend to answer in this essay.    

2.0  FEATURES OF AN IDEAL DEMOCRACY

Democracy has many attractive features. When compared with other type of government, democracy offers the best people based government. For countries that had been under military dictatorship, their peoples easily appreciate the opportunity democracy offers. That was why Nigerians, young and old, were so happy when Nigeria returned to democracy in 1999 after 16 years of military dictatorship. What are these features that attract people to democracy?

2.1 ELECTION

Under a democratic government, the people retain the power to elect their leaders. This is very unlike military and absolute monarchy governments. Elections give sense of belonging to all citizens. The election is usually ‘closed ballot’ where the voters can keep his/her vote secret.  In some democracies, elections are not used only for choosing leaders, it is also used in making other national choice like which bill to pass or not pass.

Equality in voting. Members of the dēmos have the opportunity to vote for or against the policy, and all votes are counted as equal. Informed electorate. Members of the dēmos have the opportunity, within a reasonable amount of time, to learn about the policy and about possible alternative policies and their likely consequences. (Robert A. Dahl, 2010)

2.2 DIVISION OF POWER AND PRINCIPLE OF CHECK AND BALANCE

Power in a democracy is not concentrated in one arm of government; it is rather divided among the three arms of government. The three arms are the The Executive headed by the President or Prime Minister or chancellor as applicable to different countries, The Legislative headed by the Speaker and Senate President, and The Judiciary under the auspice of the Chief Justice.

The Executive like the name suggests, executes and enforces laws made by the Legislative. The judiciary interpret such laws as made by the legislative. There is a form of check and balance in this process. Nobody in a democracy is allowed to have enormous power to avoid dictatorship. Though, more presidents have always find way to exert themselves more power than stated in the constitution. This is going to be discussed properly later.

2.3 FREEDOM OF SPEECH, DEBATE AND ENQUIRY

Alistair McConnachie (2003) indentifies five principle of democracy. Freedom of speech, debate and enquiry leads his pack. A democracy that denies its citizenry this freedom is no democracy. It is imperative that people in a country should be able to hold a contrary opinion to that of government on issues without fear. Mcconnaishe posits ‘the strongest power is that which forbids its own mentioning... anybody who attempts to suppress political debate should be suspected of trying to defend illegitimate power...’   This feature of democracy is best exemplified in more advanced democracies like United States and this feature attracted countries in the defunct Soviet Union and African to embrace democracy.

2.4 OPEN, DIVERSE AND INDEPENDENT MASS MEDIA

Another important feature of an ideal democracy is an independent, uncensored, diverse and open mass media. Mcconnaishe posits ‘it is the mass media which forms and validates most people’s understanding of what is ‘real’... it is the national mass media which holds key to reaching the millions of voters’ he continues ‘if you control the mass media... then you can control the whole the democratic process’

It is only those that have lived under dictatorial governments that can fully understand the consequences of government interference with mass media and its personnel. The independence of the mass media is imperative and a sine qua non to achieving good democracy.

2.5 EQUALITY BEFORE THE LAW

In an ideal democracy, the judicial system must be ‘blind’. This means that the laws and its administration must be no respecter of any person. Everybody must be treated equally in a court of law. The rule of law principle must also be held sacrosanct. Mcconnaishe opines that the rule of law means that ‘judgements are made in accordance with the written law, rather than in an arbitrary manner.’ This can only be achieved with an independent Judiciary and a good Constitution in place that can guarantee fair hearing to all.

2.6 ECONOMIC DEMOCARCY FOR ALL

Economic democracy is the democratization of economic power. This requires decentralising economic power and empowering economic power and economically empowering smaller units... whether it is the individual or the people collectively (Mcconnaishe, 2003). It is very important that economic policy of a country is people oriented. The people must always come first. A democracy must always strive to better the economic conditions of the people.

3.0  PEOPLE’S EXPECTATION OF DEMOCRACY

Now that we have illustrated the basic features and principle of democracy, we have to also understand the people’s expectation of democracy.  All human being living under any type of government always have some legitimate demands of their governments. This is truer of people living in a democratic country. New entrants into democracy always have high hopes about democracy. For a country coming out military dictatorship in 1999, Nigerians had high hope of better country.

According to the 1999 constitution of federal republic of Nigeria, it is the duty of the government to provide basic amenities in the country. This amenity includes provision of school, health services, roads, electricity among numerous others. I am certain that most other countries’ constitution have a similar provision. Though the provision of these amenities might not be limited to the government alone in most democratic countries, it is still expected that the governments provide enabling environment.

Most citizens do not expect government to give them money, but they expect government to provide means of getting money. People, especially in developing countries, expect governments to provide quality education to its citizens at no or little cost. In Nigeria, for example there is free education from primary to secondary school in government schools. This same is obtainable in the United States, Ghana, and Brazil among others. Higher institutions education in most countries is not free. But citizen expect the government to strive to alleviate the pressure by subsidising the school fees, giving scholarship to worthy students and granting interest free student loan.

Furthermore, the citizenry expect the government to provide quality and cheap health service. Government is expected to build well equipped hospital around the country. Government is also expected to eradicate deadly diseases in the country. Though in most countries, health at tertiary level is not free, but governments are usually expected to support citizens when necessary. There is now Health Insurance in some countries of the world, including the United States and Nigeria. This insurance usually comes to aid of patients at time of need. But usually poor people are unable to purchase the insurance policy. No wonder, President Barrack Obama pushed for health reforms in the states recently. Other countries should follow suit.

 Provision of infrastructure like road, sporting facilities among others is also the duty of government. People expect their government to develop their country so as to have a pride place in the comity of nations. An underdeveloped country is always looked down on.

Most importantly, citizens always expect their government to always rise to challenges facing them. They expect the government to always provide solutions and answers to all problems and questions. Most citizens’ demands always fell to this category of general and non specific demand.  For example, people always expect their governments to always keep their inflation rate at barest minimum. They expect government to always have a working economy plan. Government successfulness is always measured, among other thing, by its capability to address issues. Recently, President Barrack Obama was criticised for not quickly rising up to the BP oil spill in the Pacific Ocean. The oil spill is capable of leading to death of man, animal and plants of unimaginable magnitude. Americans believed the government responded too slowly. The same was complained of President George Bush during Hurricane Katrina.

It is understandable that citizens usually have high demands of their government. The politicians when campaigning for election do not usually help matter. They usually promise ‘heaven and earth’ only to do nothing when they get to power.

4.0HAS DEMOCRACY FAILED?

Let me bring in an excerpt of a work I edited, in the Pathfinder in 2009. It is about local government in Nigeria.

‘We may all agree that the public functions of the local governments are to maintain local roads, local markets, motor parks, slaughter houses, slaughter slabs,  health standards in public restaurants and food stalls, provision  and maintenance of primary, adult and vocational education, and health services in collaboration with State Government, provision  and maintenance of public conveniences, sewage and refuse disposal, construction and maintenance of street lightings, drains and other public roads, parks, gardens, open spaces, and so on, as prescribed by THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REBULIC OF NIGERIAL, 1999.  Without mincing words, over the past decade, under the elected civilian administration, local government councils, throughout the country have received huge amount revenue allocations without the provision of the commensurate services to the public, without any meaningful infrastructural development. The research conducted by Afrobarometr, in 2008, have shown this clearly that:

The public clearly consider that the local governments have failed in the In the performance of their primary duties, namely service delivery and resource mobilization ( collection of fees and rates). On both dimensions, the public assessed performance poorly. This is not isolated from the fact that failure of the various levels of government in the country to collect rates and fee has been generally attributed to availability of oil revenues, which are allocated to the levels of government.’(Dr Yemi Atanda , 2009)    

This assessment of the local governments in Nigeria is no less true of the state and federal government. This is also what is obtainable in some countries. The situation in Nigeria is more appalling. Critics have argued that democracy is too costly in Nigeria. As at 2009, the National Assembly of the country has spent about 534.4 billion to enact just 532 laws in 10 years. In other word one bill has cost the citizen about 1 billion naira (90million US dollar), in a country with 70 percent of its citizens living below a dollar a day, this totally unacceptable.

So when you ask an average Nigeria the question is democracy working, the answer is no. In a research carried by this writer in 2008 in Iwo, Nigeria showed that 8 in 10 Nigerians between age 18- 25 believe Nigeria democracy has been a failure. 6 in 10 between age 30-50 believe democracy is not working right. In an ongoing research in Ilorin spearheaded by this writer, so far more than 70percent of all respondents believe there is nothing to celebrate in Nigeria 50 years anniversary. Their anger is understandable. Despite the huge revenue that has accrued to the pocket of Nigeria government in the last 11 years, the level poverty and underdevelopment in the country is totally unacceptable. I sincerely apologized for ‘Nigerialising’ the problems of democracy. But I feel that it is better to look at democracy from the eye of new entrant-country.

Even in the United States people complain about their government. Only recently, the republican and democrat slugged it out for like seven month on the president Obama health reform bill. Some Americans on CNN and other media described the situation as ‘government business on pause’. 

5.0 WHY HAS DEMOCRACY FAILED IN SOME COUNTRIES?

Why is that people who hitherto believe in democracy are now complaining? Why does it seem that democracy is not working? The problem is not really with democracy. Democracy if practised to the letter is the best type of government on earth. If democracy is not the problem then what is the problem. To answer this question, let’s go poetic.

GOD SAVE NIGERIA

(For a country bedevilled with man- made problems)

God save Nigeria

From people who take her to ransom

The rich and the powerful of status quo school.

God save Nigeria               

From small men with small ideas in big position

And their crook ways of doing things

God save Nigeria

From sick leaders with poor health

Poor health of mind, soul and body.

God save Nigeria

From some invisible but deadly cabal

Who always work against the interest of the nation.

God save Nigeria

From citizens who always shut their eyes to the truth

And their heroes worshipping of corrupt leaders.

God save Nigeria                                                                                                                      From some compromised journalists and writers                                                        Who are always pawns in the hand of the corrupt.                                                         God save Nigeria                                                                                                                From some of her own lawmakers and civil servants                                                                     Who are useless and redundant.                                                                           Ultimately God save Nigeria                                                                                        From the lapses and ineffectiveness of her constitution                                                And our learned people who interpret it for us.                                                                                                                    (ALABI, SODIQ, 2009)

Problems facing Nigeria can be said to have been captured in this simple and self explaining  poem. Our major problem in Nigeria and in other democracies is bad leadership. Though sometimes, the president might be a good leader but the people he would have to work it might be corrupt. Corruption is the greatest problem facing Nigeria and most African countries. This corruption stems from bad leadership but it does not end there. Recently, the Nigeria government was reported to have planned to build the world costliest airport runway at about N64 billion ($600million). Tens of Billions of dollars (more than what was used to rebuild Europe after Second World War ) have been stolen in Nigeria, according to Economic and Financial Corruption Commission (EFCC) in fifty years. This Money should have gone into providing amenities.  The extravagance and corruption coupled with lack of visionary government has relegated Nigeria to the back seat in the comity of nations.

In other realms, as in Nigeria also, politics is another problem. The political parties in most countries sometimes get carried away with election and forget about the country. Most times, partisan politics usually take over and the country would be ground to halt. That was what happened recently in the US.

Another major problem facing democracy especially developing democracies is free and fair election. The last general elections in Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Kenya are the examples of what an election should not be. There were cases of violence, rigging and other malpractices. When the choice of the people is subverted, can we even lay claim to practising democracy? Unless the choice of people counts, bad leaders and corruption will continue to dominate.

6.0 WAY OUT

So far we have indentified the expectations of people about democracy and reason why these expectations are not frequently met. In order not to fall to the syndrome common with critics of outlining problems  without providing solutions, we are going to recommend ways in which democratic dividend can be made to reach everywhere

6.1 Eradication of Corruption, Favouritism and Cronyism

Democracy can never work in an atmosphere of corruption and cronyism. These malaise need to be eradicated. This will allow government to effectively execute project.  Establishment of anti corruption agencies as obtained in Nigeria is important.

6.2 Involving the People

A government that want to succeed must listen to the people. With due respect to Plato, his idea of philosopher kings can no longer work. Nobody is a reservoir of knowledge. The people of an area are in the best position to know what they want. Government should always consider public opinion before taking any action. The opinion of people representatives in a national assembly may most reflect that of their parties’ than that of their constituency. The representatives cannot always be depended on. Until government learn to listen to people, gulf of difference between leaders and followers will continue to widen. Like in Nigeria today, the citizen are less concerned about building but they are certainly concerned about uninterrupted electricity supply. So instead of the government building 64 billion naira runways, the government should try to provide electricity.

6.3 Visionary Government

To providing the dividend of democracy, government must be visionary. Government must understand what their people want and how to get it. The economic policy of a country must be clearly spelt out and followed accordingly. The people should always rank first.

6.4 Prioritised Projects

 The government should be able to prioritise its projects. The principle of opportunity cost comes to bear here.

6.5 Elections That Counts

Before a democracy can deliver, the election must first count. Unless there is free and friar election, there can be no good leaders. Without good leaders democracy cannot work.

4.0   YOUTH AND DEMOCRACY

Youths also have roles to play in making democracy work. Youth should always participate in democratic processes positively. Youth in some African countries are often used to rig election. This rigging usually brings in bad leaders. Youth should not sell their future for loaf of bread. This is the moral duty of youth. . Benjamin Haydon (1786-1846) said “Never suffer youth to be an excuse for inadequacy nor age or fame to be an excuse for indolency”.   And like Hafsat Abiola said, youth are enough to change the world.  If youth are truly the future of the world, they must be ready to safeguard that future.

Youth can also form themselves into democracy watch group. These groups will be like kind of watch dogs on government in their locale. During the colonial days, youth were at the helms of struggling for independence then. But since independence youth have abandoned politics and governance.

 Youth should also outline ways in which government can work better and present same to their government. Youth should make these groups into a pressure group, effective, efficient and positively fearful group.

5.0  CONCLUSION

As we have shown above, democracy is a great government if practised accordingly. But when practiced wrongly it could be a bad system.  All hands must be on deck to make democracy works in all countries of the world. Leaders in newly democratised countries like Nigeria should understand that they owe it as duty to their people to deliver and to avoid the return of military government.

THE CARETAKER (a short story)

The Caretaker

Rafiu Tedun is popularly known as Baba Lagos in the village of Fagun. Though in Nigerian parlance, Fagun is no village. How could anyone call a settlement with more down 80 houses a village? The small town is at the outskirt of Itoro. Itoro is one of the largest cities in the north central of the country. Baba Lagos left the town when he was twenty years old after dropping out of school, after just a year in the Primary school.  How could one sit in a room for six hours only to listen to some boring chaps called teachers? He argued. He also left the Arabic School his father put him for, according to him, cruelty of his tutors. He wandered the length and breadth of the town and environ for five good years before running away to Lagos, the then capital of Nigeria.
Lagos, as people say, has been a safe haven to all. Hard workers, lazy people, thugs, thieves among others can be found in Lagos. So Lagos was the best place for Rafiu Tedun. In those golden days of Nigeria, jobs were easily got in Lagos. It took Rafiu no time in getting a labourer job. The job was really repaying and Rafiu was even able to build a six room house in his home town after just thirty years in the service. Something some funny looking so called civil servant couldn’t pull off. Well he is no servant, he thought to himself. He retired from the job after a glorious forty years of meritorious service. He went back to his hometown. Many people had forgotten the little troublesome lad that ran away from home, what they now saw was a great been to Lagos man. He was highly revered. 
After two years of showing off as a rich man in the town, his little wealth was running down. He quickly started the business of meat selling. He was selling the raw meat while his wife Modun, was frying and selling the fried meat.
This morning, he was taking his breakfast of bread and tea (with blue band butter of course). He was practically the richest man in the whole town presently, or so he believed. Why wouldn’t he be? He deserved to be. He made about twelve thousand naira everyday. And he was going to make it for a whole month. He had been making such money for five year. Who says odd number is bad luck? Isn’t it in the ninth month of every year that he had been grossing about three hundred thousand naira? He thought. He had always been lucky in his life; luck must be my other name. Like Goodluck Jonathan? He laughed. He had come home just in time to being the only caretaker agent in the town and his environ. The job had been repaying, to say the least. How did Baba Lagos come by this once in every year jackpot? Well, it was simple.
The number of non indigene students in the Fagun Grammar School had increased in the late 90s due to the popular belief that the dreaded West African Examination Council (WAEC) examinations (which some lazy students dubbed, though wrongly, wicked and callous) can only be passed in rural schools. This influx of students turned Fagun from a ‘rent free’ town to a ‘rent full’ town. Before, people were just giving houses for accommodation in the town free of charge. Since most of the houses in the town were built by indigenes of the town abroad and were scarcely inhabited, nobody thought of making money out of giving someone a roof to his or her head.
But the influx of students coincided with the return of the wisest man in the town, His Honour, Been To Lagos Rufai Tedun aka Baba Lagos who at a Palace meeting singly raised and defended the motion for charging of a little money for rent. Money for maintenance of those houses, he said. Whatever that meant, people thought. The people not knowing how to go about the rent palaver unanimously handed over the job to the most civilised among them which coincided again to be Baba Lagos. He was given full autonomy on the houses. Thus Baba Lagos added to the numerous numbers of jobs he had done the job of a caretaker. Though he couldn’t read nor write but what do reading and writing have to do with getting someone a room and getting paid for that? What?
He started charging One Hundred Naira for each room per month making One Thousand Two Hundred Naira for a year. He was also charging three hundred for his own enormous task. But that was ten years ago, that period now seemed like a millennium ago to him. That was until he hit his real jackpot. That was until the arrival of University of Itoro students. That was when his life changed. He had within a period of seven years increased rent and of course his own commission five times. He presently charge 50 percent of the rent for his commission, a record price some mischievous students campaigned. He had since seven years ago been grossing minimum of Hundred Thousand Naira at every academic year resumption. The money is small comparing to the job he is doing, he once told a friend, but he was just doing the work to help his community and obviously the students.
He finished his breakfast and called to his wife. ‘Isn’t my chicken ready’
‘It is about to be ready’ Modun, his wife of thirty years, replied him. ‘And you don’t need to shout for the whole town to know what you take for breakfast’ she added.
‘What if I shouted? Who cares? Just bring it and stop dropping your saliva in it’
Baba Lagos had declared the month of September as month of chicken eating. For himself only, of course. He used to eat a whole chicken every day. His wife once asked him ‘Why punish poor chicken for your success?’
‘Who else should I punish?’ he rhetorically asked in a tone of finality.
He left his parlour and moved to his office where he attended to his numerous client. His office was no place other than the front of his house. One of his few friends had one time advised him to use one of the rooms in his house as office. But he had argued that, why waste a whole room in the name of some useless office while some helpless students are looking for accommodation? He had in his spirit of philanthropy rented four of his six rooms to students.
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‘Hello’ Soji said into his phone mouthpiece.
‘Hey man, I don get the house. Come and meet me at my place so that we can go to Baba’ Sola on the other end said, not waiting for reply, he dropped the call.

Soji quickly put a finishing touch to a poem he was writing. Soji, a twenty one years old undergraduate of the University of Itoro (UNITORO), mischievously called UNISORO by students (meaning university of problems), was a son of Chief Kola Zubair. Chief Zubair was a fearless journalist turned politician. He was among the few honest politicians in Nigeria. That could explain why after many years in active politics he had only one house and a car. But he was a contended man. These traits of Nationalism, Honesty, Bravery and Contentment were all manifested in all his children. Soji was no exemption. He had been holding one post or the other in various development, progressive and youth’s associations since his teen. Though he was in Sciences, he wrote actively poems and articles. To some of his friends he was some sort of genius. Or how else could you explain someone who was very brilliant in science and who also possessed immense knowledge of literature, commerce, current affairs and geography? His friend queried.  Despite his numerous gifts, Soji was cool headed and humble but had little patience for oppression and corruption. He had been part of his school Students Union since admission.

UNITORO, like every other government establishment in the country, had its fair share of the country’s problems. One of the numerous problems facing the school was inadequate accommodation for his students. Eighty percent of the students lived off campus. Living off campus also caused another major problem for the school; transportation. No part of Itoro was walkable to the school. It was believed that Universities should be sited as far as possible from the corrupt society so that the distinguished members of the Ivory Tower will not be corrupted, and it seemed founders of UNITORO were leading believers of that notion, or so most students alleged. The village of Fagun was discovered by some students of the school seven years ago. The village among other thing is just a thirty minute walk to the school. Since then about three hundred students had been living in the place; mostly indigent students or sometimes students who couldn’t cope with the stress of transport to the city everyday.

Among the present students living in Fagun was Soji, who after getting admission found it difficult to get accommodation in the city and impossible in the school hostel. He had been taken to Fagun by another student. He was taken to Baba Lagos ( shortened to Baba by the students).
‘You had come late’ Baba had said ‘but notwithstanding I will do everything to help you get a room. I also have children, that is why I take it as my duty to help youths’. As promised, Baba got him a room at Lajokun, just a fifteen minutes walk from Fagun. Baba had collected only three thousand naira only for his task. Soji had earlier paid six thousand naira for a year rent. Baba also promised to get him a room at Fagun next year.

True to his word, Baba got Soji a room at Fagun in the next year.(Baba as a way of getting new blood to the town had devised a means of sending out some irresponsible students. Irresponsibility in Baba dictionary had a personalised meaning, people claimed. Some had also misunderstood this well intended scheme of the old man, they claimed  the motive for it was for Baba to make more money on caretaker commission.). Soji paid Seven Thousand Two Hundred Naira for only a year rent of the room. He also paid Three Thousand Six Hundred Naira for the caretaker commission.  Baba had been, in the last three years, increasing the house rent. This was justifiable because Nigeria government had been increasing the price of petroleum incessantly and that had increased the cost of house maintenance, Baba claimed.

‘How could an illiterate old man be milking the society just like that. He cant even write his own receipt. He cant even sign for God sake. And he is getting paid just for knowing the owners of the houses. He will even make you feel like he is doing you some sort of favour. That’s what I abhor most ’ Soji was saying to himself as he was wearing his shirt. He was preparing to go and meet Baba with his friend who had earlier called him some minutes ago. His landlord had through Baba told him to look elsewhere for accommodation since the house was to be overhauled.
‘The man is a beast , you know.’ Soji once told his friend AJ who was studying Analytical Chemistry along with him.
‘Well he’s got his meal let him eat’ AJ had replied sarcastically.
‘No one says an old man should not eat. But he is eating too much. His caretaker fee is too much. If the last students protest had succeeded, I believe the old man would have found another job to do. But getting fifty percent for just knowing the landlord is wrong in all its ramifications.’
‘Well, activist, this is Nigeria. People always maximize their opportunities’
‘Or well put, people always abuse their privilege.’ They both laughed.
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‘Baba, we have checked the room. We are going to take it.’ Began Sola.
‘No problem’ Baba replied.
‘This is my friend that’s taking the room.’ Sola said pointing to Soji.
Baba after a minute said ‘I am no more giving out the room’. The declaration came like a bombshell.
‘Why?’ chorused the two friend.
Baba after another minute explained ‘ I have been trying since coming to this town to help students especially you varsity students. When I started giving you campus students accommodation, the principal of our college was going around blackmailing me saying I will destroy his school. But I triumphed. Since then I have been doing favour for you people. But when you now came together and formed gang against me. You that I have been helping, now saying all sort of thing. You even organised riot against me. It  was painful. I was nearly beaten that day. But I was more disappointed that you Soji could be part of the scheme. But that’s history. You failed. And I will make sure all of you that spearheaded or even participated in the riot pay for your barbarism. I have also told Sam to pack out. So I am not going to give you too house.’
Sola and Soji exchanged glances. Soji didn’t participate in the protest Baba was referring to. He was not aware of it. He had only learnt of it when he returned from school the following day. But Baba had been under the wrong impression that Soji had participated. Soji really hated the turn of  event. How could this old man be so vindictive? He thought. He was about to react when his friend intervened.
‘ Soji didn’t participate in that protest. Even if he had participated , you have to forgive him.’
‘I was not in the protest, sir. Just help me with the accommodation’ Soji reluctantly pleaded.
‘He was there. I saw him. He was even in the front...’ that was Modun She was well known to always add fuel to every fire in the town.
‘Baba lets forget about everything. We are your son. Let him have the room’ Sola quickly put in before could Modun destroy everything
‘Since you said he was not there, no problem. I was under the impression he was there. Hmmm. Let him pay now because many people are after the room’ 
Soji dipped his hand into his pocket and paid Baba Eight Thousand Naira the latest house rent. Baba counted the money and replied that the money remained his own caretaker fee.
‘Baba, this is a different situation. You know Soji had paid you twice caretaker money and he is only changing his accommodation because of what you are also aware of. You should spare him the caretaker fee’
‘No! I am going to collect my caretaker fee. No caretaker, no room’ Baba finalised.
Soji seeing that there was no way out dipped his hand inside his pocket and gave the old man two thousand naira.
‘My money is four thousand naira. If you don’t have money, don’t waste my time. Aaro loja.’

Against all inclinations and the look on his friend face (Soji, a master at reading faces , knew his friend wanted him to pay the old man. His friend was a staunch believer of ‘give Caesar what is unto Caesar’.) he said ‘ Baba, this is all wrong. Hand me back my money. I cant  take your exploitation any longer. Four thousand naira on top eight thousand naira is nothing but greed’
Baba was stunned he had never been confronted individually like this before. He gently handed back the money to him. Sola was about to say something when Soji told him ‘Lets go’
‘Baba, this cannot surely continue. How can you be so greedy? You are exploiting children like you don’t have children.  ‘ Soji said while leaving.
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‘That was stupid, wasn’t it’ Said Sola after they got to Soji’s room.
‘It was stupid, right? Are you satisfied?’
‘No. That was not what I meant. You the genius, man. I just want to ask; do you know what you are doing? Cause man, I don’t know how you are going to live again in this town with what you just did. Do you know what you are doing?’
After some minutes, Soji said ‘I don’t know. I just don’t know…’ There was knocking on the  door and without waiting for reply, entered Jayjay and Kazim.
‘Hey men, what happened with you and Baba. He was cursing you all around and threatening to bring down the sky if you do not leave the town’ Kazim said.
Soji just was pacing down the room. And his friends looking at each other perhaps thinking he was crazy.
After some minutes he said ‘You guys, whatever happens, you got my back, right?’
‘Sure, genius’ chorused all the three. ‘What are friends for?’ added Kazim
‘Then we ve got some work to do’ he paused ‘ and stop looking at me like that.’ He added.

His friends were astonished. They had never seen him like that before. Soji briefed them on what he wanted done. He said he had studied why the last protest failed and had devised a way out. The organisers of the last protest didn’t carry along the Mogaji of the town, the University Security and the generality of the people of the community. Baba had run to the School security after the protest and misinformed the security. The security had called warned the students. This scared the students to the extent that they abandoned their cause. He said he wanted to organise another protest but a successful one.
‘How are we going to do it? No one is going to follow us for another protest.’ Put in Jayjay.
‘Well, we are going to try. We are going to call a meeting. We are going to inform the Security and the Nigeria Police and also the Mogaji. No one is going to stop us from exercising our fundamental rights. But we are only going to have problem if we fail to inform the necessary authority. The students will follow us if they know we have the authority behind us.’ Soji explained.
‘You ve figured everything out. So what’s the deal?’ that was Aj. 
‘AJ and Jayjay can you start informing students that there is going to be a meeting tomorrow? You take FESTAC hostel to MKO Lodge. Kazim and I will take FREEDOM Hostel to OBJ Cottage.’ Houses in the town had already been named by the students
They all set out.
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It was a week later when the protest was staged. Soji and his revolutionary team (as he called them) had little trouble convincing their colleagues and secondary school students. They all respected him and believed in him. Some important members of the community, including the Mogaji, had also been informed. Mogaji and Baba were, to say the least, not on good terms.  Soji had also gone to the school security and the school Students Affairs Unit. Both visits were successful as the Security unit had provided security personnel to make sure the peaceful protest does not turn violent. The Nigeria Police also provided two policemen. The school Students Union was also on ground to add voice to the protest.
One thing that was amazing was that Baba was oblivious of what was happening. It was too late when he learnt. It was only when the students were already on the road that he knew what was happening. But as a self styled warrior, he believed he was unshakeable. ‘Thousand of Sojis and his friends cannot shake me. I always dey kampe’ he had boasted to his wife when the latter informed him of the ongoing protest. He dashed inside like a soldier and came out with an amulet on his neck and hand. He believed that the amulets were most potent. Well, that’s justifiable, considering the number of wars he had won with them.
The protest had started in front of the Satellite Hostel. It was apparent that everyone wanted Baba gone. The turnout of the protesters was overwhelming. The protest was led by Soji and Lincoln, a representative of the Students Union. The protesters were carrying placard with various writing. ‘NO MORE CARETAKER’ ‘NO TO OPPRESSION’ ‘GREEDINESS IS UNGODLY’ ‘BABA STOP EXPLOITING US’ ETC. ‘STOP EXPLOITATION OR FACE DISASTER’
‘Of the greatest Nigerian Students’ shouted Lincoln at intervals, on top of his voice.
‘Yesooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo’ always replied the protesters.

When they got to Baba house, Baba tried talking to the students but to no avail. He was double marched to the Mogaji’ palace. The elders of the town asked students what they wanted. Soji spoke at length. Baba also spoke. After some deliberation, Baba was discharged of his duties. A three man committees was set up to oversee the issue of accommodation in the town; One representative from the students, one from the Mogaji Council, and one representing the landlords abroad. It was also agreed that only five hundred naira should be charged as development dues (in replacement of caretaker fee). The house rent was also pegged at six thousand naira per year.  Baba left the palace in shame and anger. Much of anger than shame. Anger at almost everyone; the students who are ingrate, the Mogaji council who are uncivilised and ignorant of modern practice of house rent, his herbalists who had assured him of the unfailing ability of the amulets and understandably  God who had left his side at the last minute.

Soji after the victory delivered a speech to the protesters ‘…This was not about the money. It was not because we hated an old man. But it was because what was happening was evil. Exploitation and corruption are all wrong. We cannot continue to sit and complain in silence about various injustices in our society. Leaders need to be checked, criticized and challenged. A situation where some people exploit us and flaunt their ill gotten wealth in our faces must a thing of past. We should not take the path of this present generation of Nigerians who are suffering and smiling (a la Fela). We must be the next generation of Nigeria, the generation of revolutionaries. Revolutions is not always about blood shedding. The Americans carried out a revolution last year by voting a black man as president. That was a bloodless revolution. We have just also carried out a revolution without violence. Nigerians should rise and save our nation from leaders who always abuse their position and power. Leaders do not necessarily mean political leaders. We have community leaders, religious leaders and the likes… We cannot continue to sit on the fence. We cannot continue complaining alone, we must act. Speech, symposium, write up and the like can only do little but it is until we drive home our points by any means possible but violence that things can change for better.  I thank you all for participating in this historic protest and I congratulate us for the victory.’
The students cheered after the speech and dispersed.
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Baba left the town the following month and relocated to Lajokun a neighbouring village where he engaged in farming until his death the following year. Some rumour mongers said he died from excess of fat while other said he died from natural causes. But the story of an illiterate and greedy caretaker will be told for years in the town of Fagun and neighbouring towns.

Disclaimer: all names of people  in this story are not real but a product of imagination of the writer. Any resemblance to any person living or dead is nothing but a mere coincidence. This is story is not a product of an event known to the writer. This is a pure work of fiction.

 LAY RITE, a member of International Poetry Society, USA, Young Writers Society, USA, Union of Campus Journalists and Unilorin Literacy Club, and the former Editorial Chairman, Pathfinder magazine, is presently studying for his first degree in Plant Biology at University Of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria. Ylfvision@yahoo.com, 2348067371273. (c) ALABI, Sodiq (2009)