LETTER TO MY COUNTRYMEN...

LETTER TO STATE MEN

          I, a fellow man, sharing the soreness and calamity of democracy with you; I who also share in the agony that has been, that is, and that is to come. I am a courier of truth and philosophies. So many times have I been persecuted and victimized because I murmur the truth to my people; and because I put in the picture the truth to my leaders. I am the commoner. I am the messenger. I am a person that constitutes a people. Once again I salute you all in the names of our fallen heroes and heroines. May their hallow blood; pursue those whom have slain them for settling of scores.

          This I write to you all today, because I authentically see the need, and that is why I have taken the lead to direct my fellow state men on their optimism for democracy. It is of no doubt that my country, nation or let call it state, is passing through the realm of forces that are inevitably linked with the metaphysical world. And it is without denial that anybody will say that the governance of my country is in the anchor of the men of power, I mean, the power of darkness.

          At this point in time, comes in a philosophical question of whether, there really exist some sort of super natural powers or forces that really govern the world? The world itself is so big and un-comprehensible for any man to come and bam-booze human race with his or her own theories. My society has degraded and de-generated to the highest level of low intellectual logic eminence. This I say without missing words, because, as at the early 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and early 90’s, my fellow countrymen understood the idyllic actions and programmes of intellectual display. But at the realization of the new millennium; maybe one of the unseen millennium degenerating goals, my fellow statesmen, refused to confiscate the difference between an intellectually needed driven society, and a morally driven society.

          Though as Africans, we cannot shy away from our cultural and traditional faith in God as the one who controls the affairs of the world. But at the same time, all the religion that exist, confirms the fact that men are endowed with powers, gifts or let say talents and aptitude to control their own affairs.           Today, we all yell for a new society. We all want to dance and sing to the form of society driven government. We all are reading motivational books and listening to motivational speakers; when a society of men have refused to understand that there is a large gap of conformity, between the realm of the living and the realm of the meta physical, then there is no how those who belong to these metaphysical realm will not oppress us with their in-human and un-Godly purpose. The present form of government in my country now, is nothing but a civilian government. Perhaps, you all reading this piece think the author of this, probably is insane. When Galileo Galilei, told the church as at the medieval ages, they told him to his face that he was mad. But centuries have after, said he was one of the most sane that has lived in the history of mankind. Pretty sure I am, that someone will then ask, that; what is the difference between a civilian form of government and democracy?

          A civilian form of government, means a noncombatant, citizen, private and public governance. While a democratic form of governance means, a representative, public, self governing of the people by themselves, free, independent and uncensored government. Now, we say we are exercising democratic governance in my country, but the few rich are the ones controlling the affairs of my country. The workers, who are the people, upon which the nation’s wealth is built and hung, are toiling like elephant and ripping like a church rat.

          Today, education is underfunded. Tomorrow, health will not be funded at all. Next days, agriculture will be under funded too. But Aso Rock Villa, where they control the affairs of my country under the influence of pepper soup and alcohol with the aid of commercial sex workers, will be over funded.

          Moreover, my religious leaders are not helping issues, instead of them to talk and be crucified for the sake of God and truth; they are laconic for the sake of wealth of this realm. Instead of my fellow Nigerian students to fight for the emancipation of salvation of justice and good democratic governance, they are busy contesting for tiresome ceremonial post of power; they level to the ground for those corruption filled pot- bellied leaders, they are muted by fear of victimization; some children who ought to carry out the voice of salvation to men, are busy trying to get rich by bribery.

          What then is there in to fight for and die for in the world? When those whom you fight for and labor for, are those who will still go ahead to plan evil for one; what a pity?

          I am a Pan –Africanist. I hold that idea for this physical realm of the mortals. I am a Christian. I hold this idea for both the physical realm and the spiritual realm. All the theories and philosophies, propounded by men of past ages have failed. But I have failed to realize that what I have in my “SOKOTO, is what have gone to search for in SOKOTO”.

          Christianity is being the only idea founded by a man who was confirmed dead and resurrected again. Fellow statesmen, I bring to you an idea, which is not only religious, but also political, social and very ideological------------- CHRISTIANITY.

          It is quite political. It’s then left unto you to use part of what you want from it. In its constitution, I mean the bible are very cumbersome and intellectually grounded ideas which will perfect the work of emancipation of justice and good democratic government, and also had values to the perforated places in the Pan –African Socialism, which few of us who are left of the past generation still preach. Set aside your previous thoughts and digested words from the pages of books written by men of sage. But settle your mind like you are, in an inquisitive position to know a new thing, to grab a new idea and knowledge from a book of life that not only lights your spiritual path, but also your physical path, which involve, politics, writing, speaking, education, health and so on. Fellow statesmen, think well, fight well, die well and live well forever.

YOURS IN STRUGGLE,

ENOCH OJOTISA.

LETTER TO MY COUNTRYMEN...

LETTER TO COUNTRY MEN ON

2011 AND STUDENTS’ UNIONISM IN NIGERIA.

I

t is true that the year 2011 has become a sound of hastening intuition of news everywhere in the country. But, it seems as if the students at all levels; most especially those at the tertiary level are quiet about it and are feeling soothing. Students’ unionism has over the years been eaten by the cancerous disease battling the human race; fear. A lot of our students are living in the realm of carefree stance to the helm of the state of the political farce of the country.

I say this with all apprehension and good yearning for the movement of my country and the students’ struggle pressure group. While some will surely say that what is the students’ movement? Or what in question constitutes the students’ movement? It is bestowed on me as a person, as a Law student and as a Pan-African Socialist, to explain to you all (students and the public), what is meant by students’ movement and what in actuality, history and also by conduct constitutes a students’ movement.

Maybe I should start from explaining what unionism entails; what is meant by saying Students’ unionism. But, I think it will be very apt for me to even start from the very point of relating and also defining what a union is.

“A union is an institutional expression of the basic political tension and collectivity of the community and value of people who constitute it as a body.”

It is primarily a political organ. Its sense of duty and structure is majorly political. The bona fide quintessence of a Students’ union is not only over the welfare of her students; but also over the political movement in the country. And this was precise enough in the early 70s’ to late 90s’. But due to the fact that the society is fast derailing from the intellectual society to the moral society: the studentry and the masses are bagging the nuts and bolts of collective movement that hold our interest.  The union of the students, is by definition and function, an opposition to the anti-students’ policies and actions of the government in the country. The students’ union as a body of collective strength, cannot abandon its opposition value without also neglecting its function for its members. And the greatest threat to a Union of allegiance is the accusation that such a union has probably sold out to the management or the government of the day. So to say a union is an institution, it is thus a political body built for materialist reasons and provisions of her members; its behavior must be determined by its survival needs. And its survival needs as a matter of fact and necessity, depend upon the political struggles, so as to maintain its survival, rather than becoming a mere body of social association. The basic lie that has served well as a political propaganda against our students’ movements in the country has been by the management of tertiary institutions and by both the federal and state government. And that propaganda has been the word called ‘STRIKE’.

When the movement of students calls for strike, it is never a means of disrupting the academic calendar of the various institutions; rather, it is the last resort of weapon, used by this pressure group, called Students’ union. The general propaganda against the students’ movement in Nigeria is that those who constitute the leadership of such collective and dependable bodies of students’ movements are thugs or rogues: and maybe that is why they normally embark on strike. But that is not the case.

Fellow men and women, you the people of this country called Nigeria, till when are we going to smile and laugh in the face of chameleonic civilian rule? The country generates more than billions of naira within a week and they allocate more than usual and enough for public political officers who are not even sincere with the society. The Nigerian society is that which has got no regards for education and health. If truly our health sector is sound like those of our contemporaries in overseas as it is usually posed on media, why are the rich ones going to fetch for themselves health care in the overseas? If truly the educational sector is something to write home about, why are their children schooling in overseas? If truly our education is more than that of ABC, why are they sending their wards to private and expensive tertiary institutions?

These are what the public should ask themselves. When dialogue can no longer give one what is necessary, then left of one, is nothing but the use of resistance against such a misdeed. I whole-heartedly borrow from that revolutionary anthem of Great Ife, which says,

“ALUTA AGAINST ALL OPPRESSION…”

Strike, is the main political weapon of any union; it is the emotional affirmation of union solidarity and of the common cause of the workers and students, which constitute most what is called the masses. An old adage of the students’ union says,

“No strike is ever lost.”

What the above aphorism means is that, it is true that not all the strike embarked upon can really fetch the students’ movement the answer to what is demanded. But there is a strong belief in the fact that, if we (students)  fight against the bad policies and governance, we may win or lose; what is most important is that, we seek the conquest of justice and good governance. It is true that when there is a protest, an agitation for what ought to be done and then neglected, some persons who are agents of the underworld in power, will try as far as possible to blackmail and perforate such a movement, it is then of utmost importance, for the leadership of such a struggle, to keep the mob/masses in control: for only in the face of struggles, protests and persecutions that the attitude of true leadership of the students’ movement is shown and demonstrated.  And if the leadership of such movement can try to keep the movement in boundary, then the evil political propaganda of the evil public men will be as useless as they are. Even a protest can be done without the leadership of the students’ movement, if such students’ movement is not sincere with its self and its members. If a movement of students is jeopardized by the insincerity of their leaders, then such movement will be trampled upon as we have mostly on present day Nigerian campuses. The Nigerian studentry have failed in all ramifications towards the continuity and ideal faithfulness to students’ unionism and the state of the nation.

N

ow to 2011: I am pretty sure that people reading this piece will think I am about to make a full critical analysis of the electoral saga that betroths the 2011.  But the purpose of commenting on 2011 aside it being as a topic is to possibly decipher what 2011 should be and would be for the people of the country and for all unions in the country.

The pregnant year, 2011, is a season in history that will epitomize the new pages of history in the country. Permit me to use these literary words that, the new pages maybe comic ended or tragedy ended. 2011, is a year that will set a new pace and findings for the country; most especially in the political dominion of the country. It is either, there is a continuation of the present bourgeoisie parties or let say, it is either the government of the rich and the influential ones continues, or there is a radical change in the system of the governance of the people. This I mean by the fact that, it is either the masses, the workers rule the country. I want us not to have the likes of the governor of Edo state in mind, because, he has displayed total betrayal and personal avariciousness and nothing less. He is merely driven by ambition. Though I am as neutral as the constitution thinks of a civil servant to be in the political realm in the country; but I am concerned with the political situation in my country as a students’ activist. Oshiomole is a man driven by position, power, fame and money; and who does not know that Ibrahim Babangida does not worth to become the president of this nation once again? But power and money has made an Oshiomole to lick the foot of an IBB; oh I remember, one man, one vote (one man, one poverty and one corruption).

If truly the students of this nation want to save themselves from the continuous suffering and poor/underfunding of education, they should try as much as possible to stop an IBB and that confused/political sycophant, called ATIKU. These are men of corruption, shame, greediness, unfaithfulness and gross social misconducts.

And it is at this juncture that I will like to seriously and genuinely advice the Nigerian youths. In the sense that, the national body that seems to represent the interest of the students, is far from what it ought to do. And I am talking about that corrupt and thuggish organization called NANS. The original duty of NANS, which is to conscientize the Nigerian youths about the political situations in the country, has not been fulfilled.  This body called NANS is a pressure group and that was why I explained supra, the functions and definitions of a collective body of an enterprise of a group of people.

If truly NANS were to be sincere with their original course, how come they were nowhere to be found during the four months strike that held our students, lecturers and workers to ransom?  They are not sincere with us. The only time you hear that NANS exists is when they congratulate a PDP politician on radio or television or on the pages of newspapers, so as to have individual connection and recognition from such a person or administration. The first thing to note, is that this same body, that claims to be fighting for the Nigerian students at large, have not in the recent years staged a national protest against the extortive and oppressive policies of the Nigerian government. The truth is bitter they say. But it is an open wound, which only conscience will surely heal. The leadership of NANS has finally betrayed the Nigerian students at large. They have proved to us that NANS has compromised the interest of the Nigerian students; and that NANS is now an annex political party; and also an arsenal of thuggery and gangsterism for those pot-bellied, corrupt politicians in our country, Nigeria.

I must also press forward on the issue of NANS that, if truly NANS has been sincere and it is still sincere, why has it not stopped the Hell Fire of VICTIMIZATION OF STUDENTS’ ACTIVISTS on Nigerian campuses?  If truly NANS is objective and dedicated to the course of struggle, why have they not done something to the increment in the school fees of both the state and federal tertiary institutions? I say, if it is true that NANS is still the political body which is still in support of the Nigerian students and not anti-students, why are they not pressing both the federal and state governments to pay the bursaries to the Nigerian students on campus? Even the U.S that has less significance to trade unions , still pay monthly  allowance to her students, because they know and they are not blind to see that a society without education is not yet and may never be civilized enough to progress in all sectors.

Fellow Nigerian students, during the four months break, a body which has not yet even gained solidarity from Nigerian students, but which has a genuine course of Nigerian students in mind, was the one that issued press statements, conferences and protests throughout the whole nation, signifying that NANS has ceased to function and that there is an urgent need to revitalize the genuine spirit of students’ unionism in the country. That body that was part of those that helped negotiates and restores the victory:  named, EDUCATION RIGHTS CAMPAIGN (ERC). It is true this organization started from my citadel of learning, OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY (OAU); but it does not connote that we are trying to seize control of students’ unionism as some political intellectual vegetables and neophytes will say. The truth is that, the interest of the Nigerian students matters a lot to the country herself.

Lastly fellow Nigerian students: since NANS has failed us for so many years, I humbly implore you all that NANS which has displayed total un-commitment to the course of the Nigerian students and youths, should be dumped and trampled upon by the Nigerian students because they have failed the Nigerian youths and students. Let us deliberate, should EDUCATION RIGHTS’ CAMPAIGN (ERC) be adopted as the new national body of Nigerian students, or should there be an avenue for deliberations and submissions to form a new true and sincere collective body that will fight for Nigerian students?

STUDENTS OF ALL NATIONS; FIGHT FOR STANDARD AND QUALITATIVE EDUCATION!

ENOCH OJOTISA (COMRADE ORACLE)

FACULTY OF LAW, OAU

poetojotisa@yahoo.com ; 07031816797

LETTER TO MY COUNTRYMEN...

LETTER TO MY COUNTRYMEN

FELLOW NIGERIANS…

PHONE: 07031816797 E-MAIL: poetojotisa@yahoo.com POET ENOCH AMANDLA   AWETU NOTHING SHALL DISCOURAGE US

                It is with dutiful heart as a countryman of this nation that I pen this on this paper. But more of importance of what am about to divulge is better glued to your inner pinnacle of your memory than just to be read and accredited of grammatical pureness. For what we do today will forever be reckoned with and referred to. What am saying in totality, is not for us to just say that what I have printed on this paper is true; rather, let us put into action what has already been longed planned for in our society. What we do about this issue will last for a thousand and thousand years!           

This day 29^th of May, 2011; this Geographical entity, which is composed of various amalgamated cultural groups, celebrates her “DEMOCRACY DAY”. And not only that, but gives the veil of authority to the President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan led administration. Though the whole process is being done and celebrated under the semblance of pretence of full scale security; whereas where there is in fact nothing called guaranteed security welfare in this unit called a state.

If I would be pardoned by my readers, I am constrained, yet but convinced by the full fletched historical and socio-political happens, that have over the years proven Late SIR LUGARD wrong over his amalgamation theory of the Northern and Southern protectorates. With all due respect to those who have been before me in stringent line of poetic and political thought of procession; the course of uniting the various cultural geo-political lands into one fused nation had the course of commendable state of confusion for this element of Africa.

God favored West-Africa with sound weather system. The British officer favored us with the evil passion of “ONE NATION”.

I am unrepentant in asking the  Western white man if he could continue to live all his life with another white  man from the Eastern part of the world; with a different human ideals and morals but yet with a common governance and political system? I am ravenous with no answer. And this struggle of vagueness of unity amongst us led to the late qualification of the so called NIGERIA for Independence. For those citizens of this so called only PAPER COUNTRY and not PEOPLE’S COUNTRY, you will agree pari-passu with me that, NIGERIA was due for independence as early as 1954 and then 1957 before we finally wrapped it up in 1960 out of shame of the remaining fiasco of the British government. Our nationalist fathers then could not arrive at a junction of unity because unity was not in consideration as at the time of “Berlin conference and the Amalgamation year of 1914”.

This is war! One with which we shall fight with the last drop of blood in our vein. A war of cleansing our nation from its foundational debris; for how can this state entity whose citizens are fast naturalizing into other nations are washed as white as snow?

The system of governance which was left by the British was far more open than the presidential and “Americana way of governance” which we now emulate. Though there was war of COUPS as from 1966. But can it be out rightly stated that the causes of these coups were due to fight against corruption? And if truly they were battles only taken in the military way to combat corruption, why then were some of the civilian politicians killed?

Some of them were killed because of their fraudulent and corrupt actions and character. But then, how come even in the so called regions, only the Western region and partially the Eastern region considered the augmentation of their people Agriculturally, Health-wisely, Educationally, Socially and Politically? How come the Northern region was briefed of all these social amenities given out by other region leaders to their people?

The answer is quite effortless and undeviating; such a political system which was left to the so called Nigerian people actually fitted into the cultural ideals of the Western region and its people and partially the Eastern region; but not into the Northern region. Take note! That is not in way against the cultural and traditional values and adequacy of the Northern brothers in this nation. It’s just so evidential that their society is a FASICIST culture.

Though, the regime of General Gowon was that which preached the message of “GO ON WITH ONE NATION”: which was an acronym for his name GOWON. But, such a message was only a paper-tiger message which was not in any way profitable to the nation at long run. It was after the civil war that the NYSC scheme was introduced as a means of securing UNITY for the state entity called NIGERIA. But of which it has over the years become the sacrificial period of our brilliant youths in the country.

The question am directing to all readers of this article is that, how can you and I go on with one Nigeria when the social amenities a country and a nation is meant to provide her citizens are no longer present?

Why and how should I accept this state entity as my nation when I can boldly state that the so called country as failed the definition of a Nation which means the sovereign gathering and rule of a homogenous people? Nigeria is HETEROGENOUS in our case brother!

Most of our fathers believe so much in their region rather than the country itself.  Will Nigeria survive as a country up till a certain number of years is a question of food for thought? This is because of the civil war that broke out in the country sometimes in 1967 to 1970.  Should Nigeria operate a CONFEDERAL SYSTEM like we closely had in the 70s’ or like other great nations of the world? Or should Nigeria be broken into OODUA NATION, AREWA NATION AND BIAFRA NATION? Or should we continue to sing chorus of pain and agony in an assuming nation called “NIGERIA”?

FIGHT FOR A NATION OF ONE MAN; ONE GOVERNMENT AND ONE PEOPLE. THE AFRICAN REVOLUTION BEGINS!

YET WE WILL DANCE AGAIN

When the chants of sorrow,

Gaol our rights like no morrow;

In our heritage we lament.

But there will be atonement.

For our oppression is not originated from our sins;

Rather, it has been destined since.

Tears flowing like river through red eyes

Washing down the lake of our face;

Oppression like ABIKU, says our divination lies.

We mourn our dance in our own place.

Yet we must not let our dance die.

Our dance is our culture ____to the foreigner we say bye.

Who can say that only time?

The time we will cease to dance to the foreigner’s mime.

Brothers! Our time to dance is come.

The dance of our heritage; can’t be lost in calculating its rhyme’s sum.

I shall stand not in his regalia.

My rib shall no longer be called like Priscilla;

She shall bear like a new African maiden.

We shall dance in our Africa’s night of white-red scarf test of pure maiden.