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Should I persist in observation mode will all these travails in our state? Certainly not! In the words of Martin Luther King, ‘our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter’
In a sorry situation where excuses are sadly replacing reason, keeping mute is longer an option.
I have read various posts for and against the agony foisted on Kogi state workers and pensioners by a supposed effort to clear the rot in the system. After vilification by those bearing the brunt of the extended screening exercise and justification by the government through its officials, the bottom line is a disappointing failure by government largely induced by ineptitude. For an acclaimed digital administration, what has been exhibited is grossly inadequate and clearly unacceptable.
Until cleared workers and pensioners are paid their salaries, the screening exercise has not ended. As I once observed, it is calamitous if citizens can’t trust government on promises and pronouncements that directly affect their lives.
The extra/added time is many times the regular time in this match that is obviously overstretched. Our sense of value is now skewed that our ‘ogas’ will prefer we regard and accept payment of salaries and pensions as an act of benevolence we must be grateful for. Kogites are now unequally yoked with leaders who are comfortable with rationalizing the agony of the people. For how long will government take the patience of long suffering Kogites for granted?
The knowledgeable can discern the deceit and half truth in the act and utterances of government on the salary issue. With the number of postponement and unfulfilled promises, it’s about time the government come clean by telling the people the truth against the backdrop of claims in some quarters that the state is broke. It has equally been alleged that Kogites should pray for the release of the Paris club refund as therein lies the hope of the needed resources to settle the outstanding salary liability of government. If this is true then tougher and harder times await those affected as nothing is as traumatic as a problem with no timeline for its resolution.
The unfortunate thing is that if the feelers from the supposed brainbox of the present administration is anything to go by, it won’t be our place to ask how we arrived at this confluence of anguish. It’s the height of insensitivity to refer to twelve months of depriving workers as just. How many of the ogàs and constituted authority can survive three months without pay?
I have stated several times that some key players in government are conducting themselves in ways inimical to the delivery of basic dividend of democracy.
The government has been remarkable in certain areas but all that will pale into insignificance as long as the issue of salaries remain unresolved.
Why must cleared workers and pensioners wait till May ending before they are paid? Something does not add up.
Considering the humongous inflow the present administration has the fortune to have gotten, Kogi state workers and pensioners don’t deserve the pain of over one year.
Whenever our elders are faced with the kind of situation in our state, they will retort, ’the bush rat is desirous of pounding yam but its inability to bring the mortar and pestle into its abode is the impediment; meaning there might be zeal and willingness but there is obvious lack of capacity for responsible governance on the part of our present rulers. The ineptitude we are forced to live with is nauseating and disturbing.
God, look down on us in Kogi state with mercy and forgive us. Save your Son, Alh. Yahaya Bello from his friends. Give him the strength, grace and wisdom to see the suffering in the land. Protect him from those who see him merely as a means to an end not in tandem with Your wish for Kogites. Lord, show us mercy because Your people need it in measures unimaginable.
Expose the wolves among Your flock of sheep. Your children are helpless and we look to You for redemption to remove the agony in the state,
No matter how difficult things might be, we believe nothing is impossible for you, Lord. Heal our land and joy shall be our lot again to the glory of Your name.
Thank you Lord for answered prayers. Amen.
– Charles Olalekan Aiyenigba
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