Deep Thought

 Re: Nigeria’s Perennial Flood: Happening of Preventable Disaster By Prof MK Othman As expected, this article on perennial flood attracted reactions from many readers of this column, my Facebook and Tweeter handles. Many were unhappy, if not furious of why our nation has been given lip service to a preventable but calamitous incident occurring annually. The nation is endowed with experts, technocrats, and wherewithal to prevent or mitigate the effects of this type of disaster. If Netherland, a small European nation was able to reclaim part of the ocean by pushing the water back into ocean, and still avoided serious flood incidences, why not Nigeria? In fact, the French people call Netherland “pay-bas” meaning a country below sea-level. So, Nigeria’s case of having several rivers crisscrossing it can be turn to blessing rather than a curse, if only the leaders put on a thinking and innovative cap devoid of selfishness, nepotism and aggrandizement. Today, I am presenting a reaction o...

Nigeria’s Perennial Flood: Happening of Preventable Disaster II By Prof MK Othman   This is a corollary to my two articles published in this column on 16th October 2020 and 23rd June 2021, which can be accessed via www.deepthoughtwithmkothman.blogspot.com and it is the concluding part of last week's piece. As mentioned earlier, an Inter-ministerial Committee was set up for the Development of a National/Multi-Sectorial Flood Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan. Despite the committee’s effort to address the flood tragedy, the nation lost 70 people in the 2021 flooding with over 200,000 people displaced. This year, 2022, the flood incidences occurred with catastrophic severity. Already, over 600 people were reported killed by the flood with millions of people displaced in addition to losses of properties and farmland across the nation. Perhaps, this calamity gingered the Federal Government to speedily act on the committee’s assignment. Last month, the Permanent Secretary of the M...

  Nigeria’s Perennial Flood: Happening of Preventable Disaster By Prof MK Othman In our lackadaisical manner as a developing nation, we ignore almost every imminent disaster until it happens, then our leaders begin to shed crocodile tears and before you pronounce “Jack”, an investigation panel would have been put in place, if the disaster is big enough. In most cases, the hidden aim of the panel is to avoid asking embarrassing questions about the preventable incidence. By the time, the panel report is submitted, if ever done, the euphoria of the incident would have gone, the victims of the disaster; the dead were buried, and the injured and properties losers would have accepted their fate as part of their destiny, and the nation will move on waiting for another circle of disaster to occur. These disasters range from plane crashes, road mishaps, and fire incidents to banditry activities. Sometimes, the bandits/insurgents are bold enough to announce their visit to communities, but li...

 #EndASUUStrike: Victory of the Hawks, Nation Riding on a Back of Tiger By Prof. MK Othman When I joined the academic turf over two decades ago, I was accosted by a hawk on a recruitment mission, a kind of membership drive. The first lesson of hawkish agenda in a game is “win by any means, hook or crook” as the end justifies the means. The game must be manipulated to bring out the desired result, which is more or less a selfish end before the game even commences. Hawks fight to always win and hardly believe in “gives and takes”. Peaceful or diplomatic ways of winning a game are alien to them. “Leave the ball and tackle the leg of your opponent to secure advantage.” Hawks are driven by selfishness, survival instinct, and egoism, which becloud their sense of reasoning and sometimes lead to their failure. The 18-day proportionate salary paid to ASUU members is a clear indication that the hawks are opposed to a peaceful resolution of the ASUU-FGN imbroglio. They have thrown a spanner i...

 BPM Liz Truss Resignation: Epitome of People-Centered Politics By Prof. MK Othman Confidently and majestically, she strolled to the podium with calmness and unperturbed, she made one minute and fifteen seconds speech, which contained a few key messages. These are the Economic downturn affecting thousands of households in Britain, her inability to achieve her campaign promises, "I recognize though I cannot deliver the mandate", due consultation, and then announcing her resignation as the British Prime Minister. Planning for the election of her successor. Hundred of millions of viewers watched the video clip with utter shock and disbelief. Few viewers watched her for the first time because she spent only 45 days in the holy office as Prime Minister. Truss is one of the shortest-serving premiers in British political history after just six weeks in office. She came in with rekindled hope and mammoth aspirations of the citizenry.  Truss, with her longtime political ally and bosom...