Must Read! Good and bad critics

By Donu Kogbara
As I pointed out last week when I was writing about people who dislike President Muhammadu Buhari for various reasons – and will continue to dislike him even if he performs magnificently – no leader can please all of the people all of the time.
The same can also be said of smaller fries like newspaper columnists! And I’ve long been wearily resigned to the fact that no matter how reasonable I think I have been, there will always be Vanguard readers who either regard me as utterly unreasonable on every single level or simply reject some of my opinions.
The world would be very boring if we were all on the same page and totally agreed with each other at all times about every topic under the sun. And I     welcome differing viewpoints that are interesting, enlightening and educational.


In a nutshell, debates can be intellectually stimulating and constructive criticism is helpful; and since I don’t know everything, I really don’t mind when folks contact me to say that they reckon that I am mistaken about a particular issue…and then explain, in a civilized manner, why they disagree with me.
However, quite a few die hard critics of this column are craven cowards who hide behind the cloak of anonymity and harass me with poison pen emails and text messages that rarely make sense and are, nine times out of ten, barely literate.
And I’ve concluded that these bilious morons refuse to stand up and be counted because they know that they are talking rubbish. They don’t attach their names to the abusive rants they send me because they can’t defend their positions.
Anyway, let’s shift our focus back to “good” critics who add value. If someone presents me with superior arguments or draws my attention to accurate information of which I wasn’t aware, I will gladly admit that I was wrong.
Shortly after I gave President Buhari credit for fixing the refineries in last week’s column, I received a polite email from a gentleman called Anthony Johnson Osi-Iyere (tonnijohnson@yahoo.com), who firmly notified me that “commendation should go to ex-President GEJ for the refineries.”
Two other readers echoed this claim, so I did some research and discovered that it is true, so mea culpa. Apologies to Dr Goodluck Jonathan and his fans.
Tributes to Amaechi
Last weekend, friends of Rotimi Amaechi – the former Governor of Rivers State, Chairman of the Governors’ Forum and Director-General of Buhari’s election campaign – organised a glittering reception for him in Abuja.
The event was chaired by His Excellency, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, the Governor of Kaduna State; and many other APC dignitaries, including His Excellency, the
Vice-President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo; Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Reps and Chairman of the Party showed up or sent representatives.
Several glowing eulogies were showered on Amaechi; and the highlight of the evening occurred when Her Excellency, Mrs Aisha Buhari, kindly made a speech in which she warmly thanked Amaechi for helping to bring about the change that made it possible for her husband to become our Head of State.
At a time when Amaechi has been subjected to numerous attacks by enemies who are hellbent on discrediting him – in the hope of truncating his political career – it is nice to know that he has so many distinguished supporters.
Justice at last?
According to a State House Press Release that was issued on Wednesday by
Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President (Media& Publicity):
“In keeping with his avowed commitment to working for the development and well-being of all Nigerians, President Muhammadu Buhari…approved several actions to fast-track the long-delayed implementation of the United Nations Environmental Programme, UNEP, Report on the environmental restoration of Ogoniland.
“The actions approved by President Buhari, based on recommendations to him by the Executive Director of UNEP, the UNEP Special Representative for Ogoniland, Permanent Secretaries of the Federal Ministries of Environment and Petroleum Resources, and other stakeholders, include the amendment of the Official Gazette establishing the Hydrocarbon Pollution Restoration Project, HYPREP, to reflect a new governance framework comprising a Governing Council, a Board of Trustees and Project Management.”
A new implementation template has been evolved and the President further approved that the Governing Council and Board of Trustees should be composed of representatives from the Ministries of Petroleum and Environment, Rivers State, oil companies, NNPC, Ogoni community leaders and United Nations.
It has also been agreed that a deposit of $10 million be made by stakeholders within 30 days of the appointment of Board of Trustee members, who will be responsible for collecting and managing funds from contributors and donors.
I have, more than once, complained bitterly on this page about the previous administration’s failure to act on the UNEP recommendations. As an Ogoni, I was deeply offended by the apparent lack of concern for my home terrain.
The UNEP report, which was published in 2011 and formally presented to President Goodluck Jonathan, was based on an in-depth 14-month study that included aerial reconnaissance missions, scientific investigations of over 200 locations and the medical records of more than 5000 Ogoni indigenes.
The report talked about the “tragic legacy” of 50 years of oil exploration and production…and revealed major safety issues and massive threats to human health, sustainable development and economic potential.
It highlighted contaminated water, land, creeks and ecosystems (mangrove swamp vegetation, for example) and clearly stated that drinking water was so polluted in parts of Ogoniland that immediate emergency action was required.
In one community, Nisisioken Ogale, families were found to be drinking water from wells that had been poisoned by benzene – a known carcinogen – at levels that were over 900 times above World Health Organisation guidelines.
The report concluded that Ogonis are “exposed to hydrocarbons every day through multiple routes” and that “air pollution…is all pervasive and affecting the quality of life of close to one million people.”
I’m thrilled that Mr President is taking our plight seriously; and it is especially gratifying that he is taking it seriously so soon after he entered office.
After years of inertia and frustration, there is a bright light at the end of the tunnel. And, sure, we don’t yet know whether this project will succeed and fulfil Ogoni dreams. But this is a step in the right direction; and I’m very optimistic.
Before the election, many Ogonis assured me that they could never vote for a Northerner who was running against their “Brother” Jonathan. And they not only accused Ogonis – and other Rivers followers of Amaechi – who were rooting for Buhari of treachery but predicted that Buhari would disappoint us.
I pray that those of my Ogoni brethren who are anti-Buhari prophets of doom will eventually have cause to change their tunes and concede that we have gained many more benefits from a President who is not from our backyard!

Vanguard