E- NIGERIA: “E- APOMI.” ( E -my pocket )

Some years ago Comrade Adam Oshiomhole was addressing the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in Abuja. As at that time I was the National Treasurer of Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union (RATTAWU) ,a position that qualified me to be a member of NLC -NEC.

Comrade Oshiomhole who was then the NLC President accused many Union leaders of siphoning Union fund into their pockets. He said “many Labour leaders are  in Trade Unionism  only for their pockets and not for workers they claim they are representing. To those union leaders whenever we shout the slogan ‘E- Workers  they reply within themselves ‘E-‘ ” Apomi’ (E- my pocket) instead of ‘E- Nigeria.

Whenever you see some  Nigerian leaders  “speaking in tongues”,insisting in doing something contrary to the yearning and aspirations of the citizens, it is not for nothing but for their personal pockets.When you see them defending a position with all their strength, in most cases it is for their  pockets. When you see our leaders running in opposite directions of their citizens, it is not for fun,  it is for their selfish interests.

When you  see our law makers defending  tampering with the Appropriation Bill and unilaterally increasing costs ‘Constituency Projects’ and demanding that the money should be released to them for execution it is ‘E- Apomi’ and not because of the people they claimed  they are representing. When you see the Green and Red chambers shouting “we are doing oversight functions”, it is majorly for ‘E-Apomi’.

When  you see the Executive arm of Government requesting to borrow money at all costs when experts are saying it is not necessary, it is not ‘E-Nigeria’ but mostly like ‘E-Apomi’.If not so, why is it that  our leaders are  insisting on bringing MEDICAL ENGINEERS FROM CHINA at this particular time. Did government consult with Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) before embarking on importation of MEDICAL ENGINEERS into the country? Are those “foreign experts” responsible for the wonderful handling of the Corona pandemic so far that led the W.H.O in commending Nigeria for good efforts?. We should understand that in every government whenever citizens are shouting “E- Nigeria” many of our leaders are replying within themselves “E-Apomi” ( E- my  pocket) to borrow the phrase of Comrade Oshiomole.

This is not the first time our leaders are emitting such behaviors. In 1988, Nigerians spoke with one voice against Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP).A committee moved round the country to seek the opinions of people concerning SAP. Majority overwhelmingly rejected the idea of SAP but our leaders went ahead to implement it. One of the repercussions was the devaluation of Naira from 2:1 to 10:1 and from then the mother cannot control anymore neck of her  child which she tied to her back because of ‘E-Apomi’

“They” used the accrued personal benefits to establish Refineries in other countries.

All these grandstanding about importing MEDICAL DOCTORS OR MEDICAL ENGINEERS from China is not likely to be for the benefits of the larger society but for a few individuals. Yorubas will say “Tani ko mo ogbon ki a fi eran si enu ki a wa ti” Who does not know how to put a piece of meat in the mouth and to make it disappear.

“E-Apomi” through CAPITAL FLIGHT. We would discuss that some other time.  Help me tell them their actions is not about ‘E-Nigeria but about E-their pockets’.

Dr Yemisi Bamgbose, former President Radio Television Thearter and Art Workers Union (RATTAWU),and wrote this piece from Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital