Sam Ominyi Egwu, 67, is a member of Peoples Democratic Party. He was elected governor of Ebonyi State from May 29, 1999 to May 29, 2007. He was also the Minister of Education from 2008 to 2010. Egwu has been the PDP senator representing Ebonyi North senatorial district since 2015. In this interview with AGNES NWORIE, he speaks about the state of the nation at 61, lopsided appointments by the federal government, inequality in the distribution of amenities, the controversial Value Added Tax imbroglio, agriculture and what he feels the government should do to arrest hunger in the land. Excerpts:
How would you describe Nigeria at 61?
I see Nigeria at 61 with mixed feelings. Yes, because as we are maturing as an independent country, the benefits we should have gotten with that advantage of age is missing. We appeared not to have being making use of the experiences we have gathered over the years. Because as you’re growing up, you will be able to be more mature to avoid certain mistakes we made when we were growing up and overcome difficulties because of experiences gathered over years. But as a country we haven’t done that. We appeared to be making same mistakes we made over the years which have not helped us. It is like when we make progress by taking one step forward, we take two steps backwards. This is very unfortunate. If you look at Nigeria as a country, we have never gotten it as low as we have done today. Security wise, we are down the ladder, economic wise, we are also down the ladder. Educationally too, we are down the ladder. Name it. That is why I said I am having mixed feelings. One feels, yes, we have come of age; we are getting older but on the other hand, we are not reaping the benefits of our maturity.
In that case, will it be right to say that the dreams of our founding fathers have been defeated or come to naught?
Precisely, I wouldn’t say that our founding fathers are happy wherever they are now, they will definitely be as disappointed with us as a country.
Who are those to be blamed in this circumstance?
We are all part of the system; we are all to be blamed as leaders. We as leaders have failed this country and it is very unfortunate.
What is the way forward?
The way to get ourselves out of this mess is that, we leaders should not be selfish. We should look at this country that we are one people irrespective of our tribes and religion. We should look at everyone as part and parcel of the country. We should carry others as people that should be carried along. If we are planning, we should make sure that everybody’s interest is accommodated, whether you are in the ruling party or not. Again, those of us in leadership positions should always try to execute developmental policies and projects that would be beneficial to everyone, and we should know that people are not equal in terms of financial strengths. For example, in education there are some people that cannot train their children because of their social standings, so government has it as a duty to cater for those people in making their plans. The only way they can do that educationally is by giving scholarship to every child, it’s their entitlement. It is not a privilege but their rights. Education should be free at all levels, at least in primary, secondary and at university level it should be subsidized. I am saying that because I enjoyed scholarship when I was growing up. A lot of people during our time did too, but today those scholarships are no longer there. The amount of money government will spend in the education sector is not even much compared to other things they are spending money on. Education for everyone is the key project for every country. It is a major project and the benefits are bigger. When people are enlightened and educated they will help to develop their environment and take care of others. As far as I am concerned that is one of the major criteria for development and rapid progress.
Then on infrastructure, government should provide hospitals, roads, water, electricity so that anyone who wants to go into business, even farmers, will have roads to move their goods. Those that needed electricity to power their businesses like hair dressers and vulcanizers will thrive. Power should be made available to them so that everybody will not depend on government jobs. Then, those in agriculture should be encouraged with loans, fertilizers, and other inputs. I mean the genuine farmers. With these in place whatever businesses one is doing, one will have enabling environment to do it. These are the things government should do. Some are trying, I am not giving a blanket condemnation, but things being done wrongly by government are more than the right ones.
What is your opinion about the unity of Nigeria under threat?
“We appeared to be making same mistakes we made over the years which have not helped us. It is like when we make progress by taking one step forward, we take two steps backwards. This is very unfortunate. If you look at Nigeria as a country, we have never gotten it as low as we have done today. Security wise, we are down the ladder, economic wise, we are also down the ladder
“
Nigeria has never had it this bad. This is simply because of leadership problems especially at the federal level. People have been complaining that since this country is made up of many nationalities, distribution of amenities and appointments should be done in such a way that everyone will have a sense of belonging. Because of these divisive tendencies, people are annoyed they feel they are not part of this government. The ruling government is not carrying everybody along. Even in the distribution of amenities they are looking at the voting pattern, they said this particular region did not give them support. In the South East, they said only five percent voted for them. That is not the right thing. Once a government is formed it is for everybody. A president or governor emerges for everybody whether you voted or not. Facilities should be made available to everyone. This issue of distribution of amenities and appointments has helped to divide this country more than any other thing. I think that when government stops that and treats everybody as one everything will improve.
I believe in one Nigeria, one united Nigeria. If this country is run the way it should and what is due to people goes to them and people are not discriminated against, I am for one Nigeria. I am for one Nigeria where there is equity, justice, fairness to all regions and religions. Or else, people should be allowed to take their destinies in their hands peacefully. I want to be in Nigeria where things are done judiciously with the fear of the Almighty God.
As an agriculturist of high repute, what measures do you think will help to boost food sufficiency in Nigeria?
Government has been paying lip service to agriculture. They talk about food sufficiency and diversification of economy. As you can see, I am a farmer; you are interviewing me in the farm. If I tell you the problems we have as farmers you will be surprised. In the first place government will announce millions to be given to farmers, make out time to interview the real farmers how many of them will get it? Only very few farmers get the loans.
Just the political farmers will receive the money. When the crops or animals are attacked by pest or diseases they are not encouraged. For those of us on loan, the bank is not interested in knowing what happened. All they want is payment of the loan with interests. In countries that are serious with agriculture, when such happens, they will help the farmers to bounce back, because in the farming they are employing people. If I tell you the number of persons I pay salaries from this farm you will marvel. They have families and the moment this farm collapses all of them will be out of jobs. They have children they are training in schools and other responsibilities but government doesn’t realize that. They don’t come to know how you are faring in the business. So government should invest more in agriculture, put more money and inputs as well as set people to monitor the ventures and help they when there are natural disasters like droughts and epidemics.
What is your opinion on the controversy over Value Added Tax?
I don’t want to talk on VAT because for me as somebody from Ebonyi State, how does Ebonyi State fit in? Do we produce enough money through VAT that will sustain us? If it doesn’t sustain us, I would say please those that have should remember us. We are their brothers. VAT argument is one that one has to weigh based on personal interest. This is just how I wish to respond.
