corruption (8)

12166325264?profile=originalI am sure you’ve heard people say stuff like this. I hear it every day; people saying you can’t make it in Nigeria unless you are a crook. “Integrity doesn’t sell”, they claim.

People who say such things aren’t really thinking about what they are saying. Because if they did, they’d realize their words have no truth in it.

Why would I say such a thing when Nigeria is without a doubt, one of the most corrupt nations in the world? Well contrary to popular belief, integrity sells more in a corrupt society because it’s scarce. Even the corrupt are willing to pay a higher price for the services of trustworthy men/women.

Let me paint a couple of scenarios to prove my point:

Imagine a corrupt politician who embezzles lots of public funds. What bank do you think he’d put that money; the one that mismanages funds or the one with a reputation for honest management?

Which mechanic do people patronize the most; the one who steals engine parts or the one who is dependable?

What pharmacy do we all patronize; the one that sells fake drugs or the one that sells authentic drugs?

Who do you lend money to; the one who never repays a loan or the one whose word is his bond?

Who would you hire as a security guard: a thief or a saint?

Who would you choose as a prospective spouse; a potential cheat or faithful partner?

Which company would you rather invest in; the one that pays proper dividends or the one that is known for ripping off investors?

So you see, even though we have embraced corruption as a nation, we really can’t do without integrity. It’s an essential ingredient for survival. We crave the trust and peace of mind others bring with it even if we are not prepared to travel the high road ourselves. The scarcer it is the more people are willing to pay for it (with the exception of a few who’d always want something for nothing). Of course there is much to lose by being honest. Every good thing comes with a sacrifice. But one things for sure, you’re certain to be in high demand in and out of season.

So the next time people someone tells you “integrity doesn’t pay in Nigeria”, you’ll know you’re hearing the words of a bone-head.

- Nigerian Philosopher


 

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12166325264?profile=originalI am sure you’ve heard people say stuff like this. I hear it every day; people saying you can’t make it in Nigeria unless you are a crook. “Integrity doesn’t sell”, they claim.

People who say such things aren’t really thinking about what they are saying. Because if they did, they’d realize their words have no truth in it.

Why would I say such a thing when Nigeria is without a doubt, one of the most corrupt nations in the world? Well contrary to popular belief, integrity sells more in a corrupt society because it’s scarce. Even the corrupt are willing to pay a higher price for the services of trustworthy men/women.

Let me paint a couple of scenarios to prove my point:

Imagine a corrupt politician who embezzles lots of public funds. What bank do you think he’d put that money; the one that mismanages funds or the one with a reputation for honest management?

Which mechanic do people patronize the most; the one who steals engine parts or the one who is dependable?

What pharmacy do we all patronize; the one that sells fake drugs or the one that sells authentic drugs?

Who do you lend money to; the one who never repays a loan or the one whose word is his bond?

Who would you hire as a security guard: a thief or a saint?

Who would you choose as a prospective spouse; a potential cheat or faithful partner?

Which company would you rather invest in; the one that pays proper dividends or the one that is known for ripping off investors?

So you see, even though we have embraced corruption as a nation, we really can’t do without integrity. It’s an essential ingredient for survival. We crave the trust and peace of mind others bring with it even if we are not prepared to travel the high road ourselves. The scarcer it is the more people are willing to pay for it (with the exception of a few who’d always want something for nothing). Of course there is much to lose by being honest. Every good thing comes with a sacrifice. But one things for sure, you’re certain to be in high demand in and out of season.

So the next time people someone tells you “integrity doesn’t pay in Nigeria”, you’ll know you’re hearing the words of a bone-head.

- Nigerian Philosopher


 

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Obasanjo, grandfather of corruption – Reps
By Alexandra Mede, Rotimi Akinwumi and Sola Shittu, Abuja

Federal lawmakers reacted angrily to former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Thursday, calling him the grandfather of corruption, in a tit-for-tat over his allegation that members of the hallowed legislature brim with sleaze, greed, and graft, milking the country dry, and doing little to justify their fat allowances.
Former military President, Ibrahim Babangida (left); former Head of State, Muhammadu Buhari; and former President Olusegun Obasanjo; at the presentation of a book, PRAXIS, in honour of Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu, at Sheraton Hotel, Abuja ... on Thursday.
Photo: Tunde Olaniyi.

House of Representatives Minority Leader, Ali Ndume, insisted that Obasanjo lacks the moral right to pronounce them corrupt because he instituted corruption in Nigeria.

Ndume, in his address to mark the end of the 2009/2010 legislative year, said the minority parties in the House also knock President Goodluck Jonathan for failing to provide good leadership..

He asked Jonathan to concentrate on governance rather than scheming to circumvent zoning to run for office next year.

Ndume acknowledged that the allegation of corruption against the National Assembly (NASS) may not be entirely false, but said his grouse with Obasanjo is that he institutionalised corruption when he was in the Villa between 1999 and 2007.

His words: “I am not in total disagreement with Obasanjo, but I would have preferred he says either Nigerians are corrupt or Nigerian politicians are corrupt. But for him to single out the (NASS) is not fair.”

And even if that is the case, Ndume stressed, the NASS has 80 per cent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members, and Obasanjo is “the father and grandfather of the PDP. If his children are corrupt, then we know what the father is.

“Is it not during Obasanjo's era that corruption moved from the lowest level to the highest level? It was during his tenure that he shared N50 million to each member of the House in order to extend his tenure.

“It was also during his tenure that NASCON, TANSCORP, NITEL and all others were sold to his girl friends, cronies, and others. That is the foundation of corruption in this country.”

Ndume said the NASS is not better when it comes to corruption, but taking the case of budget padding, which Obasanjo spoke of, “if the budget comes and there is nothing for my constituency, I will not support it without having something for my people. But that is because of the government failure.

“If the government is not building hospital in my constituency and I need hospital in my constituency, I will make sure that in the budget of N4 billion, at least N30 million is made available to build a primary health care centre in my local government.

“It is also true that if I have my way, I will determine who the contractor is. You cannot bring somebody from Lagos or Ogun State to do contract in my local government. The (NASS) position is that if the government is doing its work everywhere, there will not be the need for constituency projects.

“When Obasanjo was the President, we know what he did in eight years and his people are better off now. Go and check his account and assets now after eight years as President and you will get the answer to who is corrupt; whether it is the (NASS) or the whole country.”

Ndume affirmed that there is corruption, which should be tackled holistically.

“Look at the whole budget of N4.6 trillion, how much is coming to the (NASS)? How much is going to recurrent expenditure? Only 25 per cent is going to capital expenditure that affects more than 150 million Nigerians.”

He declared the administration of Jonathan a disaster, saying the President erred by refusing to sign the 2010 supplementary budget when the year has less than five months to wind up.

He equally took a swipe at Jonathan for failing to meet the expectation of Nigerians who reposed so much hope in his leadership when fate brought him on board as President.

“Most disturbing to us is the ongoing debate in the PDP on the zoning of political offices, particularly the office of the President. This ordinarily is supposed to be a PDP affair, but again, it has been given a different colouration by people whose aim is to create confusion.

“We are worried that (Jonathan) has allowed himself to be distracted by this unnecessary debate, thereby leaving issues of state to suffer.

“We are surprised that instead of striving to initiate efforts to solve some of the pertinent and pressing problems, particularly in the power sector where he doubles as the Minister, the President has failed to make any impact in the area.”

Ndume said Jonathan surrounds himself with “a hoard of sycophants” and “failed politicians” who hijack the smooth running of government business and fan the embers of disunity and set agenda for the next elections “with the intent of playing godfathers” whereas “there is nothing to show that this government can be trusted.”

He noted that Jonathan has abandoned the Presidential Advisory Committee (PAC) he set up to help bring reprieve to the nation.

“We call on Jonathan to concentrate and excel in his present job as a sitting President instead of seeking to be a Presidential candidate in the next election when he is yet to deliver on the subsisting mandate.”

In any case, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has begun probing the allegation made by Obasanjo against the lawmakers.

ICPC Chairman Emmanuel Ayoola disclosed at the sixth edition of the Chairman’s Guest Forum in Abuja on Thursday that “we will use the allegation made by Obasanjo that the (NASS) is corrupt to question the size of allowance of the lawmakers.

“We will commence investigation on the legal propriety on the size of the allowance, we want to know whether any criminal offence has been committed on the size of the allowance and if we find something we will tell the world what we have found.”

Ayoola said the ICPC is reviewing activities that will cleanse Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) corruption and is also investigating how lawmakers utilise funds for constituency projects.

“We have already collected data from most of the state Houses of Assembly in regard to the practice they adopt in the management of constituency projects to enable us assess which aspects of the execution of such projects run contrary to the ICPC Act.”

He expressed satisfaction with the increase in the number of petitions received by the ICPC, describing it as a measure of the growing revulsion of the citizens about corruption.
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RCCG warns AC against linking Adeboye with corruption

Femi Makinde, Ado-Ekiti


The Redeemed Christian Church of God has warned the Action Congress in Ekiti State against linking its General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, with the alleged diversion of public funds to religious purposes.


Pastor Adeboye

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A statement issued by Pastor Ola Adejubee of Province 1, RCCG in Ekiti State and made available to our correspondent in Ado-Ekiti on Monday, said that the church did not need taxpayers' money to organise any crusade.

The statement accused the AC of using surreptitious means to cast "aspersions on the good name of the RCCG and the person of Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the general overseer of the church ,by insinuating that the church and our respected G.O are colluding with the government of Ekiti State to waste a colossal amount of money on a programme it derisively described as a black market spiritual exercise."

Adejubee added that the crusade, scheduled for Friday in Ado-Ekiti, did not have any input from the state government or any politician. He said it was a service organised to further propagate the gospel.

The spokesman of the AC in Ekiti State, Mr. Yemi Adaramodu, had on February 2, in a statement, asked clergymen to shun Governor Segun Oni's invitation to the state, as this would be used to siphon public resources.

He said in the statement, "The vegetating PDP regime in Ekiti State is currently using the veil of hosting a legion of pastors to loot the state's treasury.

"We are at home with the coming of men of God to Ekiti on ecumenical crusades but certainly not on the invitation and bills of the Ekiti PDP regime, which is a vector for poll robbery, illicit and venal practices and till plundering."
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DO Nigerians deserve the kind of leaders they have? Can Nigerian leaders offer the kind of leadership that will lift the country from the shackles of corruption? Can Nigerians develop the culture that abhors corruption? Can Nigerian leaders toe the path that has transformed a poor nation like Malaysia into an Asian Tiger? advertisement These are some of the questions that agitated many minds yesterday at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Lagos. The event was the 11th session of the Emmanuel Onyechere Osigwe Anyiam-Osigwe Lecture Series. This edition's lecture: "Incorruptibility: A spiritual premise for material well-being", was delivered by Mahathir Bin Mohamad who was Prime Minister of Malaysia from 1981 to 2003. Former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, who was drafted to replace former Director-General of the NIIA and Ambassador to the United States (U.S.), Prof. George Obiozor, said he was elected Secretary-General during the reign of Mohamad. He hailed him as one of the best leaders in the world. Guest of Honour, and former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shaukat Aziz, who also said that he had a lot to learn from Mohamad "which is why I flew in from China," said that the nations of the world are in adversity and facing various challenges. One of the challenges, he said, is the global financial crisis, which has humbled many people and nations. He said that the crisis was not yet over. According to him, "there is the issue of water, food, energy, security" but the good thing, he pointed out, is that the world is coming together and the "solution lies in the home-grown ideologies. Leaders of nations must develop the roadmap and lead the people out of adversities." He noted further that terrorism remains an issue just like nuclear proliferation. He, however, said that the absence of interfaith harmony has led to some crisis. "We need to promote peace and harmony," he said. Stressing the importance of leadership and governance, Aziz noted: "We have good politicians but good leaders who can change the world are in short supply in the world today." On the battle Pakistan waged against corruption in his era, he said: "Corruption is endemic in the world and no country is immune. In Pakistan, to fight corruption in the civil service, we had to deregulate, liberalise, privatise and reduce state involvement and involve the private sector. But the state did not abandon the development and provision of infrastructure. Reforms were embarked upon." In his lecture, Mohamad dwelt on the sub-themes of leadership, governance and corruption. Listing the ideals of a good leader, he stated that a leader must be learned and well trained; have ideas far above those who work with him; he must be prepared to carry out what he preaches; he must be brave, disciplined; and capable of fighting his base inclinations. He must show a willingness to listen to everyone in and outside his cabinet and government. He must make up for his lack of knowledge with his readiness to listen and learn; he must not listen to only his officials as because they are more likely to be sycophants. He must have good lieutenants and with a good team in place, he is capable of leading a state. Drawing a parallel between a good leader and a company's Chief Executive Officer, he said that a leader must be in a position to gather information on the assets and liabilities of the nation in all spheres; he must then set realistic targets, taking into consideration the abilities and potentials of the nation. Mohamad added it was very important that every nation and leader find a model for its development. For developing nations, he said that the models would be recently-developed countries and not countries that developed under circumstances that are not applicable today. In this instance, he pointed out that no nation would adopt the model of the older nations that profited from colonialism. He said: "It is better to adopt a model than striking out on your own with untested models. It's up to a politician to choose the best model; a good leader must make the best of any model." According to him, a good leader must be decisive because "nothing is as debilitating as indecision. He must quit when he fails and nothing is shameful about quitting but a lot is wrong if he fails and stays. He needs almost superhuman skills; he needs not just to survive but also to manage things well." He admitted that "it is obvious that such a man cannot be readily found." Corruption, he said, is endemic; no country in the world is exempted. It is in the private sector, but if it is in the public sector that it is really bad. Many ways have been tried to stop corruption; many laws have been passed, anti-corruption agencies set but the results have remained dismal. "Some people have suggested that it is a way of life and there have been going rates for specific favours. It is the bane of governments and countries. "The reputation of the country is affected, undermining the development of infrastructure, investors stay away, causing unemployment and other social ills. "Corruption is a function of the culture of the people; it is their value system." And on how to stop corruption he said that, "every nation has to develop a culture that rejects corruption at home and in the schools." He said that the Japanese have a "culture that allows them to commit suicide, hara-kiri, when they do what is wrong." Stressing that a sense of shame is perhaps the most important value, he said that, "the fear of being shamed makes the Japanese do the right thing. They commit suicide or resign or return their loot when they are exposed." Every leader should develop a sense of discipline to reject what does not legitimately belong to him; he must reject corruption so that he will be respected and he will be listened to. There is need to have an incorruptible leader. Even in a clean society, once a leader is corrupt, everything else becomes dirty. He said that individuals have a role in ensuring that corruption ceases by voting in those who are not corrupt. "If people elect corrupt people into government, they don't have to complain about their actions. It is them who will decide whether they get good people or not. The government reflects the culture of the people." Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) who was represented by the state's Solicitor-General, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN), on his part, declared: "Let me further assure you that on the level of good governance, we are not about to fail in Lagos. Nigeria shall overcome its problems in the same manner that Malaysia overcame hers." A member of the Osigwe Anyiam-Osigwe Foundation, Miss Peace Osigwe-Anyiam said: "Corruption is actually one of the big issues in Nigeria right now and the continent in general... It became an issue because if we want the growth of the nation, we must deal with corruption at all levels and I guess one of the people who can talk about this issue is Muktar who did marvelous things for Malaysia and the country is one of the leading countries in the world today. "There are people who are not corrupt; we are not all corrupt, it is just a few people that give us a bad name. We cannot generalise on a nation of 140 million people." In his own address, former Nigerian Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme said: "During my presidential campaign in 1998/99, I used to say that my goal was to transform Nigeria from a third world country in the same way that Mahathir Bin Mohamad did in Malaysia. He is someone I have always admired and I was not surprised with his lecture. He spoke very frankly and I am sure that we have benefited from his frankness." The former Prime Minister of Malaysia is credited with being the figure behind transformation of Malaysia from a developing nation to a developed economy and prosperity. It was not quite a gathering of government officials; it was more a gathering of the diplomatic corps and corporate chieftains. The only government presence on the high table was Governor Fashola who was represented by the state's solicitor-general. Other guests were Alex Ekwueme; Ambassador Arthur Mbanefo, one-time Minister of Information, Chief Nnia Nwodo; Dr. Gamaliel Onosode; former Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Chief John Edozie; Executive Director of Ibru Organisations, Olorogun Oskar Ibru; university dons, some members of the religious community and traditional rulers.
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Corruption index:Rotten banks drag Nigeria down

Nigeria made an unimpressive performance in the fight against corruption in a global report released by Transparency International.The country was ranked 121 among 180 countries investigated.The 121 position of Nigeria in the 2008 report may not be unconnected with the crisis facing the banking sector over the years.The report was particular in focusing on that sector, noting that it “has a long history of corruption.”Drawing attention to the history of corruption in the banking sector and several failed efforts to stem the tide over the years, Transparency International blamed the “lack of efficiency and effectiveness on the part of the bank regulatory authorities in the country.”The report further blamed the situation on the slowness of investigation and prosecution.“The situation is further compounded by the slowness of the investigation and prosecution process in Nigeria it said.”To buttress its conclusion, it drew attention to statements credited to the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, Mrs Farida Waziri when in December 2008, she “lamented that the courts were frustrating the ant-corruption war in Nigeria.”While saying corruption was responsible for “the collapse of many banks in the 1990s and losses to many depositors and stakeholder,” it noted that “the failures were a result of fraud committed by bank owners and managers, who had: granted unsecured loans, resulting in high levels of bad debt and loss of liquidity; failed to maintain a strong capital base; granted unsecured loans to friends and bank owners or managers; and in some cases, embezzled funds outright.”The organization noted that the amended ‘Failed Banks (Recovery of Debts) and Financial Malpractices in Banks Decree 1994 resulted in a protracted and complex chain of events that had still not resolved by September 2008” when the report was compiled.The report cited several cases of power game among bank executives that often result to failures in the sector. Such cases mentioned include that of Mr. Adebisi Omoyemi versus Chief Samuel Adegbite at Wema Bank. It mentioned the alleged role of Omoyemi at the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) when he was accused of blocking “unfettered access to the books and record of the bank in a manner that was tantamount to obstructing their duty.”Another case cited was that between Omoyeni and former deputy governor of Central Bank, Tunde Lemo whom Omoyeni accused of “colluding with NDIC to ‘kill Wema Bank” This case was in addition to that of Triumph Bank on July 11, 2008 when the Managing Director, Francis Atoju and three others were arraigned before a Federal High Court in Lagos.
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Senate report indicts Anenih, others for corruptionCan He go the Bode George way ? Who can Prosecute Mr Fix It a former Police Officer who is probably the foremost Pen Robber Alive in the Country taking after his infamous alteregos Laurence Anini aka the Law and DoubleAgent Policeman George Iyamu who met their Waterloo at the executioners bullets.Anenih a former Top Cop from Edo State has had his hands in virtually every moneypot made by him or by someone else in the murky corrupt practices of the nations political system.The Senate may now indict him, a former minister of Works and former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees today, if it adopts the recommendations of its ad hoc committee on transportation. Tony Mr fix it AniniThere are indications based on the Senate order paper, that the reports of a Senate ad hoc committee that investigated alleged corruption in the transport sector since 1999 will be discussed on the floor of the upper legislative chamber today.This came after the conclusion of the Heineken Lokpobiri (PDP Bayelsa State)-led ad hoc committee’s work and subsequent submission of its report a fortnight ago.(lawrence the Law Anini)The report is filled with revelations of alleged serial malpractices and shows how in 10 years, through multiple contract fraud, unhelpful connivance between contractors and government officials, N633 billion was spent on only 4,752 kilometres of road; short-changing the government of N47 million per kilometre of road.Based on the report, between 1999 and 2009, the Ministry of Transportation, gave contracts for the construction and rehabilitation of 11, 591km roads at a cost of N1.7 trillion – about N87 million per km – and with only 24 per cent of the roads achieved, 64 per cent of the contract value has already been paid; about N133 million per km.Bidding without prior designThe report said during Mr. Anenih’s tenure as minister, and three others that later headed the ministry in the last 10 years, road contracts were awarded depending only on estimates that were submitted by the bidding companies without prior design by the ministry.They also “fixed prices even before the roads were actually designed by the companies,” the report said.Tony Anenih, Adeseye Ogunlewe, Obafemi Anibaba, and Cornelius Adebayo headed the Works Ministry within the period which the Senate probed. The horrible Lagos Benin Road major cause of countless Loss of LivesThe ad hoc committee in the report recommends that the four men and their ministers of state and the permanent secretaries should be prosecuted for corruption.Also recommended for prosecution is Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, who was the permanent secretary that served all the indicted ministers, but Mr. Anenih. He was said to have crafted a means of splitting contracts to sizeable amounts to bring the values within the approving authority of his office.With this, projects with single appropriation were allegedly awarded by him separately and besides that, he awarded contracts to non-existing companies.The report described the engineering representatives of the Works Ministry as one of the most corrupt and lacking in technical expertise; “they granted clearances to the contractors when the jobs were far from finished,” the report said.Former officials of the Ministry of Finance and the Bureau of Public Procurement (Due Process office), who were said to have provided funding and clearance for the unappropriated projects were also recommended for prosecution.The immediate past minister of Transportation, Diezani Allison, who literally wept while inspecting the condition of the Benin-Ore road, was said to have paid more than N1.2 billion into the private account of a company called Digital Toll Gates Limited against the written advice of the Due Process Office.The report took the ad hoc committee 18 months to produce. Ayogu Eze, the Senate’s spokesperson and a member of the committee, said the report took so long because it needed to be thorough and detailed in touching on the heart of the problem of road infrastructure in the country.Justice Joseph Oyewole, another convict will be coming your way soon. Please do Justice to Anenih (Mr Fix it). Please fix him for 29 years in prison. Anenih Must be JAILED. We all know he stole N300billion during his Tenor. The same God that ensured Bode Gorge was jailed will ensure Anenih and co receive appropriate judgement soonest.
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At least there are still honest people in naija If it were the Politicians all of them will be criminals in their family ! • Papa Matthew was a teacher, his 12 children and 12 children in-law are. He also has 8 grandchildren teachers But for the Nwigwe family of Umuezuo, Umuokirika Ekwereazu in Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, teaching is a way of life. The family holds a rich tradition in teaching, spanning many generations. Living index The truth is whenever you walk into that family and ask for a teacher, you will have over thirty responses – all teachers; husbands of teachers, wives of teachers, fathers of teachers, children of teachers, grandchildren of teachers, and as well brothers and sisters and mothers of teachers who have teacher cousins and are themselves teachers. Indeed, the family’s achievement in the profession is amazing and deserves golden chapters on the elegant pages of history. In fact, the family has produced about 40 teachers at various levels and generations. Late Pa Matthew Nwigwe, the patriarch of the family, set the ball rolling in 1921 when he began a teaching career that spanned four and half decades. He retired in 1965. According to family sources, the job took Pa Nwigwe “to almost all parts of what is now Imo State and beyond including Umuohiagu, Okwukwu, Nkwerre, Amaigbo, Uzoagba, Amuzi Ahiara, Umuhu, Lagwa, Ihitte Ezinihitte, Umuapu, Obinze, Umunoha, Umuoparaoma, Eziagbogu, Otulu, Aguneze, Obodo Ujichi, Lorji, Akpim, Nnarambia and Umuokirika.” Pa Matthew, the grand old teacher and don of a teachers’ clan was born in 1897, Pa Nwigwe passed on in 1987. Escaping into teaching 9jabook sources gathered that late Pa Nwigwe’s quest for education was not well received at the time. According to the source, “consequently, he found his way out of his parents’ tight grip to Calabar where his budding desire to go to school blossomed. He returned home from Calabar already a school boy, to the chagrin of his parents and some of his brothers. The only one to protect his interest and defend him from molestation and near ostracism was his immediate elder brother, Ugochukwu Minahakwu. After a full year of heroic determination close to stubbornness, he was allowed to continue schooling, but not without submitting to such derisive names as ‘onyeumengwu’ (lazy bones), onyeujo oru (one who fears work) and ori-okporo. That was about 1917.” The vogue then was that able-bodied young men like him accompanied their parents to farms and markets. But he chose to be different, to be his own man, to seek knowledge so that he can bequeath same unto others. As one of the pioneers of the teaching profession in Mbaise, he was a household name. He was a role model and not a few held him in high esteem. In fact, he made his kinsmen embrace the chalk and blackboard profession. Interestingly, those he influenced were his children and they decided to follow his footsteps. At last, all but one of his 12 children became teachers. And all of them married teachers, including the ‘black sheep’ of the family, Chief Lucian Nwigwe. Even when his first son, Chief John Nwigwe lost his wife, Cecilia, a teacher, he got married to another teacher, Beatrice, who is currently the headmistress of Community School Eziama, Oparanadim, Ahiazu LGA. Pa Nwigwe’s surviving children include, Chief John Nwigwe, who retired in 1984 as the pioneer principal of Ime-Onicha Secondary School in Ezinihitte; Dr Clement Nwigwe; Rev. Fr. Professor Boniface Nwigwe of Religious Studies Department, University of Port Harcourt, Rev. Sis. Pepertua Nwigwe, Principal, Regina Pacci’s Secondary School, Abuja, Rose Okoroafor, Rita Igwe, Chief Lucian Nwigwe and Mr. Joseph Nwigwe. The following have been forced by death to drop their chalk: Mrs Pauline Madu, Chief Mrs. Juliana Anyanwu and Rev. Fr. (Dr) Lambert Nwigwe. Third generation teachers Instructively, eight of Pa Nwigwe’s children also became teachers. They include late Lilian Emenalom, who taught at Imo State Polytechnic Owerri, Stella Uba, Edith Ndukuba and Akuchinyere Nwigwe, lecturer, Imo State Polytechnic. In the same vein, many of his grand children are married to children. Why the teaching craze Now, why is teaching the favourite profession of the Nwigwes and their offspring? Is it a matter of choice? What role did the patriarch of the family play in his children’s choice of career? Offering insightful perspectives into the family’s choice of career, Chief John Nwigwe admitted that it is a function of nature and nurture. According to him, the siblings were not coerced to go into teaching but chose to do so on their own free will. He explained that due to the exemplary conduct of their father it became natural for them to emulate him, adding that he had no regret whatsoever moulding the character of children as it were. Describing teaching as a noble profession, the 82-year-old man, who was recently celebrated Onyima, said it was a coincidence that they also married teachers. Speaking with 9jabook sources , late Pa Nwigwe’s granddaughter, Lovelyn, said that being born into a family of teachers is a fascinating experience. An exciting experience worth applauding ? Lovelyn, who read Theatre Arts at the University of Calabar, said: “It is amazing, fascinating really. We are a closely-knit family, everybody is teaching everybody at every point in time. Our family members are level headed. I think the biggest advantage of coming from such a family is that everybody is well-informed. Everybody here recognizes the beauty of unrestricted education. It is difficult to see anybody in the entire family in his or her late teens who is not a graduate or already in a higher institution. I wouldn’t exchange the experience with any other.” She said that on account of the family’s accomplishment in teaching and education in general, the family enjoys a measure of respect and recognition. She posited that it is not impossible for more of the family members to embrace teaching in the future. Perhaps the Pa Matthew Nwigwe family deserves a place in the Guinness Book of Records as the family with the most number of teachers anywhere. Who says great things don’t exist in Nigeria? They sure do ! That is why we still have someone as great as Yaradua still ruling us ! Guniness book of records
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