Okei-Odumakin : ITS TIME TO REBUILD NIGERIA.

Dr Joe Okei-Odumakmis the President of the Campaign for Democracy, CD. She is also the President of Women Arise for Change Initiative, a nongovernmental organisation that is fighting for the rights of women. In this interview with Ayo Esan, she speaks on issues of national interesMirror oxcerpts:

*The second batch of ministerial nominees by President Muhammadu Buhari has been submitted to the Senate for screening. How will you react to the ministerial nominees as announced by President Muhammadu Buhari.?

There is nothing more to it than the practice in the past where Ministerial nominees are usually people who are either in the inner circles of the President or those who holds key stakes in the ruling party. It is therefore the usual that has been done.

*Nigeria this month marked its 55 years. How will you describe Nigeria at 55?

It is still a long walk to freedom because the nation is nowhere near achieving the dreams of our founding fathers. There is no doubt that in the last 55 years of our Independence, our country has sunk in pandemic corruption, social crises and economic dilapidation all of which have made the living standard of our people to be on the decline year in, year out.

Our much respected values of patriotism and uncompromising emphasis on integrity and honesty have been thrown to the winds by the corrupt elements that have at one time or the other been saddled with the responsibilities of leadership at various levels in our country. Education is in practical ruins, just like critical infrastructures are in shambles with healthcare almost in peril. Security of lives and property is no longer guaranteed.

As the image of lawlessness is seen everywhere, even among our law enforcement agents, Nigerians live in frustration, agony, hopelessness, misery, pain and suffering. Almost 80 per cent of Nigerians today live in abject poverty while a few cliques are super rich at the detriment of the downtrodden. Nigerian youths are continuously faced with an uncertain future because of the greediness of a very few, that are privilege to be leaders.

Meanwhile, Nigeria is our country and there is no other place to call our home other than Nigeria. The time has now come for us as Nigerians to re-build our country because every problem no matter how difficult has a life span.

*Is Nigeria on the right path?

I believe moving towards the right path is a gradual process even though we have had to deal with several distractions as a nation.

*What is the way forward for the country?

Nigeria must be restructured and we must do away with our current system and constitution which in many ways remained the main factor militating against our national development. This military-made constitution must first be set aside.

*Many believe that Labour Party rather than the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP is expected to provide a virile opposition, is the party capable of doing this?

I do not see any clear cut difference between the various political parties in Nigeria today and the Labour party itself is not an exception.

*Some people believe that the anti-graft war of President Buhari is tainted towards the opposition, especially those who served under former President, Goodluck Jonathan. What is your take on this?

I don’t believe in such. My major interest is that whosoever has stolen any penny belonging to the Nigerian people must be made to face the law irrespective of political or whatever affiliation.

*How will you assess Buhari’s government in the last four or five months?

The government still has a long way to go, Nigerians are yet to experience the desired change but I believe that the time ahead is still sufficient to get things right.

*The country is bedeviled with insurgency, armed robbery and kidnapping, how do we survive as a nation in view of these onslaughts?

These are crimes found in any society but it becomes alarming in our situation when the government seems to become helpless. The only way to survive this is for government to put in more effort and work closely with the citizens in securing our society.

*You have been in the forefront of reducing the issue of violence against women and children. What is the situation now?

It remains a prevailing issue and our advocacy in that regards have remained sustained, we only hope that the rule of law is further entrenched and perpetrators are made to face justice squarely. That will be the way to deter more people and prevent the increase.

Source: National mirror

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