Opinion

QUITE FRANKLY – A Column

By AbdulWasiu Oladipo Sanusi

COULD YOU BE LOVED? (Apology to Bob Marley)

I can’t but share with you, dear readers, my feeling of being loved which actually prompted the subject matter of this column. Like every other festivals and special commemorations, the last Sallah gave me another opportunity to reflect on my relationship with people – friends (young and old), old school mates, roles models, former teachers, mentors, professional colleagues, godsons and daughters, my staff, acquaintances, well wishers – and how it feels for so many of them to try to outdo one another in their quest to show how much they love, adore and are concerned about me.

One thing, however, made the last Eid-el-fitri celebration unique: Apart from receiving a total of 86 text messages (on Thursday Oct. 11 alone) wishing me Barka da Sallah and praying for successes in my endeavours while admonishing me to continue upholding those principles of life many of them confessed had endeared them to me; these good wishes came from 33 states of the federation, Europe and the United States of America.

After the initial feeling of pleasant surprise at this deluge of SMS, I went into a deep thought of the how’s and why’s of the entire Nigeria having my phone number and sparing a thought for me when I am not Musa Yar’Adua. I am not also remotely related to any tangible connection in the corridors of power which could make anyone want to associate with me to get favours. My identity can not be mistaken for the Ahmadu Ali’s, Yakubu Gowon’s, Ibrahim Babangida’s of this world. Or, Sani Abacha (God forbid!).

As an Ibadan man, I do not come from a royal family, so, I am only related to the Olubadan as much as any Oluyole child will lay claim to him. I therefore concluded that those individuals who chose to send the messages of love – and more than half of them do so from time to time – are people whose relationship with me was more than the ordinary. When I also realised that my hobby remains making new friends and retaining them, I said to myself: “This experience can only get better and bigger”!

I pondered further that to know what this could have meant if I am one influential politician; and the genuineness of such a great number of SMS would have been doubtful. With politics come sycophants, counterfeiters hoping to profit from their choreographic obeisance to the powers-that-be behind the rosy roomlets. At least this will put food on their tables and they are assured of monopoly of the crumbs that fall from the tables of their benefactors.

This brings to the fore the substance of this column: Leadership and passion for excellent performance to touch on the lives of the followers, which eventually make the latter to lay their lives for their nation and its leaders.

Why on earth are the present generation of leaders in Nigeria so hated by the people they claim to be leading? No one can dispute the fact that political leaders of yesteryears enjoyed tremendous love and reverence, almost in the mould of the gods from their followers and the generality of Nigerians. Perhaps those leaders were truly servant leaders who put the interest of the people over and above theirs, an attribute that is in short supply in today’s politics if it is available at all.

How do you think a bona fide Nigerian, toiling day and night, yet who does not have a roof over his head or the one who has been served with a quit notice by his landlord for defaulting in his house rent would feel to hear that another Nigerian, an Etteh for that matter, is spending a whopping N628 million on mere renovation of her official quarters just because a small community tucked away in Osun State sent her to represent them at a village square meeting in Abuja?

And more disappointingly, the pedicure service provider, Etteh, has not in any way, secretly or openly (at least never that I heard about) shown remorse for the go-slow her uncivilized ostentatious living has caused the business of legislation in the current dispensation. More and more people express disgust at Madam Speaker’s recalcitrant stance not to tow the path of ‘honour’ by stepping down her stained seat while the Idoko panel report is debated on the floor of the House. Who could have thought an Etteh tumbling down and fast too, would still remain adamant.

Can anyone also risk telling me a Nigerian leader who has not boldly looked at all of us in the face and told us blatant lies? In my forty odds years, I know of many of them. From the now born again Yakubu Gowon to the chicken farmer who reluctantly relinquished power recently, Segun Obasanjo, Nigerians have suffered a worse treatment than those of the animals in Manor farm. Our leaders have slapped us in the face several times and dared us to show feeling of pains. My parents always told me in Yoruba that eni ti o ba paro maa ja’le meaning whoever tells lies will also steal. Having made lies their pastime, it is therefore not surprising that we have stealers of our commonwealth at the helms of affairs of our nation. The inference I am drawing from this analogy is that Nigerians can not risk placing their trusts in leaders who lied to get to office and continue to sustain their deceptive status by telling bigger lies. Now tell me, who on earth will respect, let alone love, such leaders? It does not just go together!

What we have witnessed since the gruesome slaughter of the Second Republic by Buhari’s gang is more of an unfortunate nation seized by the jugular by groups of renegade brigand.

As if enough battering has not been done to our psyche with their political assegai, Nigeria’s political leaders conspired to openly suck the nation dry and hide under immunity clause which some of their own, with a ‘benefit’ of foresight, helped them to smuggle into our statute book.

I must however acknowledge that there are a few good ones whose voices are often drowned by the lousy majority who rant and rave to line their private pockets. For things to take shape in the country, the place of love in the relationship between the leaders and the led cannot be over-emphasised. If we have leaders who enjoy our love, we will, on our own volition, pray for them to succeed; not the type of seasonal inter-denominational prayers declared through government press releases.

Nigerians are, no doubt, faithful people. Under normal circumstances, an average Nigerian will willingly include the leaders in his prayer points. But it will be a generosity too many if after amassing all the wealth of the nation to themselves, their families and cronnies, the suffering masses already on their knees permanently are still coerced to go further down in supplication for a long life for a reckless bunch who spare no thought for the down trodden.

However, Nigerians are good people. We still go out of our way to wish our leaders well. Why? As religious people; that is what our religions profess. May be, just may be this spiritual alternatives can break the stone heart of the heartless. For me Sallah celebration is still on as I find it difficult to offload the lovely lines of messages I received from friends and well wishers.

Yobe Public express opinion on their expectation from Supreme Court

Vox Pop conducted by ‘Bukola Olasupo and Bolaji Sanusi

The Supreme Court verdict and reinstatement of Rotimi Amaechi as governor of Rivers State is a good development for democracy. As for Yobe, I pray the Almighty to put the right person in the Government House. It is God that knows the truly right person.

- Kantudu, grocery seller

I am not happy that Omehia was removed. This is because he was doing well. Since the same thing applies to Yobe State, I want MAL to remain because he has really uprooted the rot and corruption in the state. Well, one should follow the law but…

-Donald, carpenter

The PDP is a terrible party. They want to make Nigeria a one-party country. It is not good. I am happy that the law has taken its course in Rivers State. My prayer for Yobe is that the truth should prevail.

- Adebayo Sunday, Restauranteer

For Rivers State; that is ok. But the question for Yobe is: Did Albishir contest. Did he not submit to being corrupt at the EFCC? Well, let November 20 come. I know the Supreme Court will do justice. But for a state like Yobe, Albishir is a bad omen.

- Biba, D., housewife

I am too delighted with the Supreme Court judgement for Amaechi. Imagine he lost at the appeal court twice. This is democracy in action. I am eagerly awaiting Albishir to be sworn in as Yobe governor because the case here is just exactly the same as that of Rivers State.

- Aide to former Gov Bukar Abba Ibrahim

What happened in Rivers State is a delightful news for all Nigerians. At least the law has undone all the mago mago which Obasanjo and PDP did. As for Yobe, I am looking forward to the exit of MAL, because of the untold hardship his regime has brought to businesses and civil servants in the state.

- Bulama M., civil servant

I can’t wait to see MAL go. I like what happened in Rivers State too.

- Mahmud, printer

Let MAL go. Let justice be done. If Albishir is the rightful person let him be sworn in. For that of Rivers State, only the people there can tell you if it’s okay or not.

- Madu A., trader

I am happy about the situation in Rivers State. It shows that no matter how long it takes, the truth will eventually prevail. Although the Rivers and Yobe cases look similar, I would prefer MAL to remain in Yobe but he should not be too harsh and suspicious of everyone. He should try and settle legitimate and outstanding debts inherited from the last administration.

- Ifiok E., businessman

I want MAL to remain in office. The ex-governor Bukar Abba’s regime was very corrupt. But for MAL, you work and earn what you deserve. All the fake and corrupt civil servants have been exposed.

- Richard Thakkma, surveyor

Since Bukar Abba Ibrahim left, there is progress in Yobe State. I don’t want MAL to go. As for Rivers that is the law and it is okay.

- Hammed Musa, banana seller

If God had destined you to be something, nothing can stop it. So, for Rotimi Amaechi, he is only fulfilling his destiny. In Yobe State, if God says it MAL, it will be and if God prefers Albishir, it will be.

- Zainab Umar, housewife

Sincerely when I heard the verdict of Amaechi-Omehia case, I was happy. Before now, there was nothing like the rule of law in Nigeria. But the present administration is upholding the rule of law. Concerning the November 20 case for Yobe; I feel it will favour the present government in the state. Let MAL stay.

- Adam Ibrahim, motorcycle mechanic

Ever since Omehia assumed office in Rivers State, it has been from one crisis to another. I am happy that Rotimi Amaechi is the new governor of the state. I hope the evil doers in the state will let him be. The case of Yobe is dicey. If I were to vote again, I will always vote out Albishir. I want MAL to continue

- Tuku Adams, civil servant

Ahaa that is justice! I like what happened in Rotimi Amaechi’s case. But for Yobe I want MAL to remain. This is because he has corrected the corrupt way of life in the state. I think MAL is the best for Yobe.

- Habeeb, livestock feed seller

I feel it is not easy for Omehia, and even Rotimi coming in as the governor. But that is God’s will. I want God’s will to prevail in Yobe too.

- Mariam, nurse

The Rivers issue is a welcomed development. If MAL will perform better for Yobe I feel he should continue. But I know justice will have its way eventually.

- Mariam, lecturer

I feel nice about the Omehia/Amaechi case verdict. And the good thing is that President Yar’adua is pursuing justice. If it were in the previous administration of Obasanjo, government will make sure that Omehia sits tight and manipulate things to his (Omehia’s) favour, doing injustice to Amaechi. On Yobe’s case, people are insulting Gov Mamman Ali for nothing. He is restructuring the state and his critics are not comfortable. Such people are just the ex-governor’s men who believe in the rich getting richer and the poor poorer. As for me, I wish the ruling would favour MAL who will continue his good work in Yobe.

- Polycarp D., teacher

What happened in Rivers is good. In Yobe State too, I want the present administration to leave. Things are too hard. For instance, people don’t come to make hair like before. They either complain of lack of money or unpaid salary. Even when they come, they end up owing me. Let this governor go, so that money will circulate very well in the state. At least this will help my business too.

- Bunmi O., hairdresser

The issue in Rivers State is quite different from that of Yobe. That of Rivers is justice. But in Yobe, during the primaries, Albishir just won the so-called ticket because the former governor Bukar wanted to hand over the state to him. I want the Supreme Court to take this into consideration. But as God will have it, there was an EFCC allegation on his neck so, the people voted for MAL. Right now, I, Bokoro Mai shoe shiner want MAL to remain. I know well-meaning Yobeans want him too. MAL has een washing Yobe and we know if he continues, he will wash the state clean of all corruption.

- Bokoro, shoe ‘shiner’

The majority are saying that what happened in Rivers will happen in Yobe. I am not an indigene of Yobe. I was just transferred to the state, so I can not say much. But for the past three months I have not seen anything on ground that MAL has done; nothing tangible. Look at Yar’adua he has done something that people can see and feel. MAL claims to have reserves but for what purpose? I am not in support of any one of them because I don’t really know them. Neither MAL nor Albishir has contributed anything to the growth of this state from the little I heard about them. So, let the will of God be done in the state.

- AbdulRaheem Usman, federal civil servant

The same thing can happen in Yobe state because the law that governs Rivers is still the same for Yobe. Afterall it is the same Nigeria. But I am not praying that this should happen in Yobe because people I have never seen in my office are now turning up for work. This is due to the verification exercise which the governor is carrying out in the civil service. More so, the state is now generating revenue unlike before. The reformation MAL is carrying out in the state is enough to move Yobe forward. I only want the money generated from the verification exercise to be put into something reasonable.

- Focus

The issue of Yobe state is different from Rivers. Albishir has more grounds that the Rivers governor, Omehia. The court ruled that his (Albishir’s) name was removed less than the stipulated 60 days to election. MAL was given the ticket in about 40 days to election. So, the same thing that happened in River will happen in this state. Look around you - is there anything going on in the state. People are suffering, civil servants are not enjoying like before. MAL’s government is like a military regime. Even during military era, things were moving. MAL will be removed.

Alhaji Suleiman Ibrahim, meat seller

MAL wants to repair the state but he has overdone it. He does not pay the workers salary on time. He stopped all contracts whereas he did not award any. He has a good intent but he should be careful. He said he wanted to work but we have not seen anything. He is using the money to take care of himself and his family, forgetting about the masses. Nothing is moving in the state. My prayer is that whoever will do well for the state should be the governor. But the truth is that Albishir can’t rule this state. MAL should put his house in order and let the masses feel his impact as the number one citizen of the state.

- Mr Thompson, crankshaft engineer

Albishir’s case is similar to that of Amaechi in Rivers State. So, the same thing can happen here. There is no money in this state; that is why people want MAL to go. The man is not doing anything. People are just suffering - no business and market is not moving. Everything is standstill.

- Emeka I.K., Bookshop owner

We are not permitted to dabble into politics as policemen. Our duty is to protect the peace of the state; no matter who is the governor and no matter what the court ruling is. Our concern is to make people abide by the ruling of the court and to maintain law and order.

- Police officer

Yobe money is not save if MAL is removed. Since he became governor of this state, anybody wey wan collect salary will come with his file to collect salary. All the people eating Yobe money have been checked. No more big man collecting 30 to 40 people’s salary. Everyone has cut his coat according to his size. Go and ask any of these big men for a common N2,000, he will tell you his own problems are more than yours. Those who married 4-5 wives during Bukar’s regime are now sending them packing because there is no money to maintain them.

- AbdulRazak, mechanic

I am not a politician. All I want from God is for Him to give us a governor who will do well for us. MAL has not done anything to be removed even though he has not fulfilled the aspiration of his people. But the truth is that there is always a beginning. And I want to believe that this is the beginning for Yobe. People should be patient with MAL. He will meet their needs. Albishir cannot rule this state – that is the truth.

- Usman Hassan, civil servant

MAL has tried. The first thing to do has been done. That is the verification exercise. You can’t leave your house on fire and go to sleep. He must first block the loopholes which had been used to siphon the state’s resources so that he can clearly see what is on ground. However, he must be fast about it because the people are getting impatient and want to see their governor putting something tangible on ground. He cannot afford to disappoint them.

- Nkiru Amaechi, federal civil servant

There is no money. Our business is not the same again. People cannot even buy kose (bean cake). MAL has not done anything for the masses but I hope things will change for the better; let him just release money for us to buy and sell.

- Maryam, bean cake seller

That is the ANPP problem. I am not familiar with the case. All I know is that Albishir is not capable of ruling this state. He should go and face his business. He is not even literate. Albishir’s government will be worse than Bukar’s regime. Those who are against MAL are the Alhajis who used to collect other people’s sweat, while sitting under the trees without doing anything. Their work is to patronize prostitutes take them to Kano or Maiduguri and return to Damaturu for more money.

- Mr Adetona, Federal Ministry of Housing

MAL should be removed. What is even your own business in the matter after all, this is not your state. There is no money. Let them bring somebody who will bring money for people to spend. There are thieves everywhere now stealing people’s property. During Bukar’s regime, things like these were not happening. Under MAL, we cannot sleep with our eyes closed. I am really counting on the day of judgement. All I want is that MAL should go.

- Mary Jackson, business woman

Our problem is that we don’t want change. We are always afraid of change, thinking it will not favour us. But we should be patient. There is going to be a positive change in this state. Let us be patient with MAL. I don’t think he will be removed. The party put him as their candidate and I believe their constitution guided them in doing so. Let us just wait and see what will unfold in the case. But I want MAL to remain.

- Mrs Justina, boutique owner

I think we should give peace a chance. MAL has won an election, so, he should be left to continue. I support him. He is a good man who is against corruption. He has started well and I am sure something good would come out of his effort by the end of his administration in four years’ time. We like somebody who is fighting against corruption.

- Bernard Nwachukwu, businessman

Corruption War: Yobe Gov Ali still on his hobby horse

By: B. M. Way

The sixteen years old Yobe state has already breded some resistant strains of corrupt persons, which Gov Mamman Ali is working real hard to eliminate. The question is: “Can corruption be eliminated?” Corruption can never be eliminated in Nigeria, it can only be controlled. Breaking the wings of corruption may be possible with accurate and untainted calculation. However, making it to go extinct is a puzzle or mystery that has not been unraveled by any genius so far.

The Executive Governor of Yobe State is sitting on a diamond horse, with a rod of iron subduing, crippling and conquering corruption in his own way. This is the first of its kind in the state. Corruption is arrested in a way, and will soon be crucified; but the precious question still re-echoes, “Will it go extinct?”

Corruption in Nigeria is not just an acquired trait. I believe it is GENETIC. It looks more like an inborn instinct in Nigerians, and Yobe surely not an exception. With this concept, what then is the likelihood of annihilating a behaviour regulated via a genetic message with the use of physical methods (the rod of iron). It is like trying to cure HIV/AIDS using physiotherapy. The entire effort of Gov MAL (as he is fondly called) is more of “OPERATION BRIDDLE CORRUPTION.” A gene-controlled behaviour is done whether consciously or subconsciously.

To me, the problem is genetic, after a thorough and critical analysis of its operation in both little children and adults. Even the so-called religious elites working with the state are actively and freely involved, while the young ones hail them, and then yearn to be in the same position.

Corruption in the light of ghost workers was the first victim of MAL’s action. He also broke the backbone of some unqualified men occupying key posts. In Gov Mamman Ali, I have spotted the “TRUE LION OF THE DESERT,” that turns not away from the path of any beast (corruption); riding forth with inestimable vigour on his bobby-horse until corruption is subdued.

As the waters break out, so has the governor broken out against corruption, raising the standard. Though he may not be an angel or scientifically inclined to make it go extinct genetically, but he will still bridle it if he persists, so that the sixteen years old state that has been subjected to frustration, bondage, cyclic motion, latency and decay will be brought to glorious freedom.

With my academic ears, I have heard the quiet groaning of Yobe State. It groaned earnestly for the emergence of the true lion of the desert (Gov MAL), who is now in action. However, I still want to sound this to the corruption bridling squad. No king is delivered/saved by the size of his army; a horse is a vain thing for safety in almost every battle in life. Also, you can not judge an act of disobedience (corruption) when your obedience is not complete. If the squad’s obedience is not complete, then the mission is defeated already.

The dreams of some youths in Yobe State are now like a broken pottery. This is because majority of them only dream of obtaining a secondary school certificate (SSCE) or, at best, a diploma and then plunge into the finance sector of the state. Their thirst for money and power surpasses their thirst for education. They are ignorant of the fact that wisdom (knowledge) is profitable to direct all things. They won’t understand that the state governor has come to break them in order to re-mould or fix them up to be wonderfully complex, fit for all purposes.

A graphical representation of Yobe State education status will definitely not be a straight line-ascending graph. And one reason for this regression is the fact that both the young and old have focused on the finance sector, living the energy-consuming and sometimes brain-tasking work for the contract staff, which are mostly non indigenes. This is the brook that massively fuels corruption in the state.

Another tragedy among Yobeans is the fact that they hardly appreciate capacity building for personal development or enterprise. In a nutshell, they do not want to be taught how to catch fish; rather they want to be given fish. They just believe that a good government is one that can fund naming ceremonies and festive activities, spraying money in the air for the masses.

My prayer is that Gov Mamman Ali should not falter or grow weary in this battle. If he allows the disco light attitude (inconsistency) to seep into this corruption control squad, more resistant strains of corrupt persons will evolve, which will cost the state more. The corruption control squad must be smart enough to keep pace with the strategies of the fastest developing art in Nigeria (corruption).

How I wish I would receive a divine insight to identify the gene of corruption, so that I can TURN IT OFF. Scientifically, it is believed that a gene is functional only when it is turned on, and non-functional when it is turned off. The trait of corruption among blacks (African) is patent. Find out; too many African-Americans have indulged in numerous criminal acts, despite the display of their intelligence.

I once met a sixty-three years old professor of Theology from the USA, who was a former pilot in the US army. He told me that in his entire existence, in the last 63 years, no one in the US has ever asked him for bribe. But the first time he came to Nigeria, about three different people at different points asked him for bribe within the airport environment.

Go to the prisons in the largely whites-own countries, you will find more blacks. What exactly is the reason for this? The gene of corruption is still on. A number of Africans have succeeded in turning off their gene of corruption. That is why you can still find many morally-sound and trust worthy blacks; truthful Nigerians; and truthful Yobeans. This was probably done by religious strategies or teachings. But how on earth can there be a massive turn off, so that naturally we will not be disposed to this excoriating ulcer, cancer and moral rust?

If you come across ten youths brainstorming, watch carefully, about 8-9 of them are not brainstorming for scientific, political or social advancement, but for a corrupt act. Our low tolerance and disposition to corruption is indicative of an in-depth viral infestation by the African Immunodeficiency Virus (AIV), which has brought almost an Inborn Immunodeficiency Syndrome (IIS), by transcripting our biological engine and immune system.

Paper works have shown that corruption is decreasing in Nigeria right from the previous administration to date. But these are all hallucinations or phantoms. Biologically, we all know that every child born has the genetic components of his parents (maternal and paternal). And if both parents still have their gene of corruption turned on, he inherits two folds, or rather he becomes a HYBRID because he is now a processed specie from two different strains.

This is what I call the Two Fold or Duplicity Theory of Corruption, Or Corruption Hybridization Theory.

This is the major concept behind the evolution of the resistant species in Yobe State, which Gov Mamman Ali is combating with an iron scepter and a diamond horse because diamond is the hardest substance on the earth’s surface. With the use of a rod of iron and a diamond horse as power and authority respectively, he hopes to bridle corruption.

Furthermore, the motto of NYSC scheme reads “Service to the nation” which further reiterates the objective of the national policy earlier mentioned. If this is the case, then, there exists a great task ahead for both existing and prospective corps members with regards to their readiness to actually bring this objective to fruition.

This is best achieved by corps members contributing their quota, however small or big, to the developmental effort of the government of the state where they find themselves. It is well known that the Community Development Service (CDS) is an indispensable segment of the NYSC scheme and it ought to be utilised judiciously to bring a physical development of the community where the corps members are serving.

Moreover, human development is the most needed part to be accomplished in the service year of corps members in various places of primary assignments (PPAs) - be it schools, hospitals, ministries and the likes. This is why even the government of Yobe State made it a part of its policy in collaboration with NYSC secretariat, Damaturu to post at least seventy percent and at most ninety percent of corps members to rural areas where their service will be mostly needed, basically, to schools which are the major avenue through which human development can be instilled and inculcated in the younger generation.

To my dismay, however, despite God’s bestow gifts, and the various lectures that we have had about the need for corps members to contribute their quota to the development of their host community.

Some corps members are still in the habit of laziness, non-challant attitude and lack of interest to discharge their duties as, and when due. “Why and How?” I asked a corps member some days ago; the lonely reason provided was that corps members are not being well catered for by their employers. Well, we are urging all employers to take the welfare of corps members into consideration and make them feel at home. The ‘how?’ part of my questions, after a serious investigation, the following methods used by corps members were detected: unapproved and limitless travelling, absenteeism from place of work. Even when they go to their work place, some do not stay in the assigned offices while some prefer to leave their PPA before the official time.

Personal practice is yet another practice (PP) through which corps members decline in their primary assignment. Even while NYSC bye laws do not permit them to have any other extra NYSC activities like phone calls business, extra-mural classes for students etc, some have turned these activities to be their major concern while neglecting the official tasks assigned to them by their employers.

This is why you see some teachers (corps members) announcing their extra-mural classes during school time to students.

Another most heart shocking instance is the case of a corps member travelling immediately he/she has been accepted and would not come back until “God-knows-when”. To be sincere, some corps members are not at fault. This is because some employers have no task to assign to them – “Ba aiki” meaning “no schedule”. Where a task is even assigned, in some cases, you find out that there is a mis-match. You can imagine a graduate of biochemistry posted to Junior Secondary School only to be given social studies as a subject. This is indeed an underutilisation of the precious talent of such corps members.

Now, having gone this far, there is no malady about remedy! The corps members we need, most especially in Yobe State whose government is striving tirelessly to revive and revamp the age long buried development and progress through seemingly tedious and strict but in pragmatic, optimistic and futuristic policies; are devoted, dedicated and hard working corps members who can work in partnership with the government to bring forth the awaited development.

This is why the state government always rewards distinguished corps members so that others could borrow a leaf. We therefore urge the government to continue with this gesture so as to give corps members the impetus to serve well.

Fellow corps members, especially those serving in villages, remember the appeal of the State Coordinator that these villages really need your service and assistance. Equally, to others, to wherever we are posted, let’s remember the oath of allegiance we have taken through that popular stanza “under the sun or in the rain” which is equivalent to a ‘for better for worse’ oath. Let’s put our hands together to complement the effort of Yobe State government.

Vol. 6 No. 15 November 17, 2007 EDITION...Of Truth and Excellence