LEARNING THE HARD WAY

When the national union of teachers in Nigeria commenced an industrial action about a month ago very few people thought it would last more than a week, alas it’s now nearly a month and no one has yet blinked. The teachers are pressing for an improved salary structure and package; an arrangement its leadership claims it reached with the federal government about two years ago. But the federal government sees it differently saying that it did not reach any agreement whatsoever. The NUT to my knowledge has failed to produce any document to back-up its claim. However it appears that both warring parties are not in contention of the availability of the controversial MOU. Initially the NUT wanted a parley with the federal government but the government refused to meet with the teachers asking them to negotiate with the state government. The teachers had no qualms with that, but the state governments referred the NUT to the federal government asking for a circular authorizing the acceptance of the new salary structure. I am watching this macabre drama from the outside and I can tell you that both the state and federal government are firm partners in this conspiracy of time wasting. Good enough the NUT has seen the handwriting on the wall after it’s unsuccessful attempt to secure the almighty circular, now pushed to the wall the teachers are demanding the sack of the minister of education , Dr igwe-aja-nwachukwu, referring to him as the stumbling block. At a recent interview the minister said if resolving the crisis meant his resignation he was game. But the controversial minister throughout the same interview did not sound like one about to throw in the towel. He said the teachers could not dictate to their employers how much they’ll be paid. Well in case you’re wondering where all this is leading up, to your guess is as good as mine- imminent defeat for the teachers. With several high ranking government officials having their wards schooling either in exclusive private schools in the country or overseas, this matter may have been concluded long before it started

I wonder what sort of government will fold its hands when its educational system crumbles, for that is indeed the truth.

It’s disheartening that there aren’t adequate facilities in public schools, but more worrisome is that millions of young children are now being denied the right to learn

I find it rather strange that the minister of education would treat with levity an issue as big as this after all he had initially boasted that the industrial action would be of no consequence to the sector.

 

Jennifer, CONNECTAFRICA

 

AFRICA’S PANDORA BOX

 

It is no longer news that President Omar El Bashir of Sudan has been indicted by Luis Moreno-Ocampo, the chief prosecutor for the ICC, which is unique because it’s the first time the ICC will be indicting and issuing an arrest warrant for a sitting president on charges of war crimes.

Campo has compiled a torturous 5-year case file of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, against Omar. He says that president Omar has contributed solely to the atrocities committed in Sudan and should be held responsible for the several losses of lives. Abdul Mahmud, the Sudanese ambassador to the United Nations in a vitriolic response said Campo was irresponsible and that Sudan does not recognize the ICC adding that it would resist an arrest on President Bashir. Meanwhile President Bashir has been holding rallies throughout Sudan where crowds numbering several thousands have attended in solidarity with their president. The president in a bid to prove his invincibility dared the ICC to make bold its threat, splaying invectives rally after rally. The Dafur crises began in 2003 when the people of Dafur rebelled against the central government whom they accused of favoring foreign Arab settlers more than the local indigenes. The crisis has since gotten worse in spite of the intervention of the African Union when it sent a peace keeping force to the embattled region. According to recent reports an estimated 250,000 lives have been lost, many of that number being women and children and another 3 million displaced in the five year conflict 

 

Well if president Bashir is known to the greater multitude of Africans as being the close to 20- year ruler of the pauperized and war ravished west African country, then Moreno Campo is a different kettle of fish, operating on the other side of the law. He is what you’d call the crime mayor of South-America, having gained fame and notoriety for his successful prosecution of several high ranking government officials in Argentina in the 1990’s, 70 of the 102 members of the ICC affirmed his appointment as top prosecutor in 2002

 The ICC top prosecutor would be hoping on such luck as he tries to unknot this Pandora box, nothing perhaps compared to his earlier work with the DRC and the Central African Republic.

 So how does this indictment work? One, Bashir can either be arrested by law enforcement authorities in Sudan or if he steps outside the shores of his country by ICC compliant nations. Both options are indeed almost impossible President. Bashir is not new to the murky waters of diabolical injustice he thrives in, only last year he provided cover for two of his cabinet ministers after they were indicted by the ICC on 51 different charges of gross war crimes and for supporting the Janjaweed militia in its systematic decimation of the Darfur people. Bashir’s main tactic in this war of attrition, is one of systematic dilly-dallying, or how do you describe General Bashir’s opposition to a UN led peacekeeping force and the freedom of Southern Sudan. The African Union unfortunately in this case is playing the role of a more than willing ally for Gen Bashir, for example in its usual sugar coated diplomatic babble has asked the ICC to reverse its decision because it could worsen the situation. But several international affairs analysts have wondered what could be worse than the global epidemic that Darfur has become. Rather than berate Moreno campo he should be commended because this singular act has done far more than the entire African continent has done in the five-year conflict, which is not to turn a blind eye to and abnormal situation but calling a spade a spade.

Dorcas, CONNECTAFRICA 

 

NIGERIA’S FINEST WATERFALLS?

Africa’s most populated nation with a little over 140million is situated on the western region of Africa. It is a nation that is surrounded by French and English speaking countries. It is rich in vast lands, tropical forests and mineral resources (notably crude oil). The nation is fondly called “the giant of Africa”.

I am talking about Nigeria. Despite the many tales of crises and corruption, Nigeria is a beautiful country and Nigerians are indeed very warm people with a very rich culture. From the Yankari game reserve in northern Nigeria to the Obuducattle ranch in southern Nigeria, the nation is indeed a haven for tourists. Nigeria is replete with breathtaking landscapes and awe-inspiring sceneries. Almost every single of these tourist attraction sites has a story to tell.

I was recently at the Erin-Ijeshawaterfalls in Osun state. It is definitely a site to behold. Amazingly, when you arrive at the falls, it doesn’t look like anything out of this world until you begin climbing the seven levels of the ascending plains of the waterfalls. The view at all the levels is wonderful and the freshness of the water is energizing. However, the last and seventh level is definitely the most intriguing, well that’s if you ever dared the torturous climb.

For most tourists and fun seekers, climbing up to the third level can best be equated to traipsing the snowy steeply mount Everest. Obviously, being at these different levels and just basking in the invigorating freshness of the falls is an unforgettable experience, but guess what? The place to be is definitely the seventh level. Why? Not only does it lie at the peak of the falls, it is also hosts a settlement where many of its inhabitants have lived for several years.

It is commonly said that “the taste of the pudding is in the eating”. So, it wouldn’t be enough to just read this piece, you need to schedule a vacation to Erin-Ijesha waterfalls. I tell you, it’s indeed a sight to behold!

Fadekemi, CONNECTAFRICA