Tinubu And Amnesty For Boko Haram

Sen. Tinubu Former Lagos State Governor

I was at pains not to think it was all political statement when former Lagos State governor, ACN national leader and promoter of APC (original APC, I mean), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, visited Kano during the week and canvassed support for amnesty for Boko Haram members. Hmmm! It may seem politically-correct today for Jagaban Tinubu to so say because whatever comes out of PDP or President Jonathan’s mouth is bad news as far as the opposition is concerned, but here is the question: is that position sound and correct, given the growing violence being perpetrated by Boko Haram, which is threatening to consume us all? Just see the latest attack in Kano and the fear of reprisals in Anambra. You may not like the way and manner President Jonathan said it, dismissively I think, that Boko Haram members are ghosts and you can’t grant amnesty to ghosts, but methinks that position is correct. If they want amnesty, Boko Haram members must first lay down their arms, spurn violence and come forward to embrace peace.  Chikena

STELLA ODUAH’S NEW LOOK
W hen in a piece on this page early last year or so I cited the jeans trousers and free flowing shirt Aviation Minister Stella Oduah wore to an event at Kano airport and noted that public officials need to be sensitive about what they wear to and what they say in certain places, some called me all sorts of names. Oduah was particularly unlucky that day as her visit to that airport coincided with Emir of Kano Ado Bayero’s return home from a trip abroad and a mammoth crowd, which included some Islamic clerics, had converged on the airport to receive him. But nothing untoward happened to anybody on that occasion. Though some Oduah’s overzealous aides called for my head, I was told the minister took my criticism in good faith.

Minister Oduah seems to have gotten the point. Just check the photograph below. I didn’t know how I missed it. It was my friend, Kunle Ogedemgbe, who read my article at the time that  drew my attention to Oduah’s dressing. Boy, I didn’t believe my eyes. I almost could not recognise the minister. It was at the inauguration last week of the remodeled Kano airport (the same airport, you might add). CBN Governor Sanusi Lamido, who performed the unveiling, poured encomiums endlessly on the minister. Indeed, Minister Oduah is doing a wonderful job giving our airports a big facelift here and there, and getting her politics and appearance right as well. Kudos madam minister.

BAYELSA CONTRIMAN GOVERNOR: CHASING SHADOWS
I laughed when I heard the Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson wants to rein in rumour mongering. He wants to put an end to the art of rumour mongering in the state. Chei! To actualise this, I’m told the Contriman Governor has set up a high-powered committee to address the disturbing trend. The committee will be tasked with the responsibility of not only finding a permanent solution to rumour mongering but also fishing out peddlers. My friend Daniel Iworiso-Markson, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, says rumour peddlers spread false and misleading information to the public.

I agree completely. Yes, rumour-mongers do serious damage, they try to turn back the hand of the clock. But moving to arrest the menace is like going on a wild goose chase. Can you ever stop rumour mongering! It’s a burgeoning industry; whereas the manufacturing industry is dying in the country, the rumour mill is growing. Stopping rumour mongering is like chasing shadows. Governor Dickson should stop this except he wants to vote some money for the boys to work in a committee that would achieve nothing.

 Culled from ThisDayLive