By Ezekiel Nabieu
This is the second edition of a paradigm shift under the same column that is expected to shed more light on current issues by questions that would otherwise be unanswered and consigned to history. It may not be pleasant to affected institutions or individuals and it need not be. In any case keep reading!
More Time Baby?
There are times like courtship periods when one needs time indefinitely. There are other occasions when one does not leave office until a certain task is finished. What we are facing is neither a love affair that no one wants ended nor a set task for our head of state to finish. The agreement here is on a time limit and not a task limit. Let the young sycophants know this.
There are leaders that have some tangible claim to their contribution to nation building at its inception. Leaders like Yoweri Musevini actually fought for the stability of their respective nations although that does not entitle them to indefinite leadership. Others like Yahya Jammeh should not be considered in any discussions on democracy. Incidentally the international community finds itself helpless to address dictatorships like in Burundi due to the stumbling block of SOVEREIGNTY. Sierra leone with its centuries-old connection with western civilization should maintain its democratic credentials and should not go down the road of barbarians.
The object of all this worship is suffering from narcissism which is a sad condition for a professed Christian. He should be reminded that the Bible states: “Let no one think himself more highly than he ought to think.” When a head of state can allow himself to be addressed as World Best with a football at his feet it is time to think of levels of mentality. It is therefore not unlikely for that individual to think that the whole world will be at a great loss to lose its best when he departs from power. On hind sight what was the academic achievement of our idol that has transformed him into an indispensable thinker?
We are told that he went to pursue Law at Fourah Bay College but later switched to Arts where he had a Third Division pass. Now since when did he become so automatically bulliant that he will continue to rule us in perpetuity? Is this due to mediocrity of thinking on the part of his sycophantic admirers?
The idol has enriched himself to such an extent that he does not care a two-penny damn for any Mo Ibrahim award. Does the gang of youths now peddling the More Time issue know that Nelson Mandella did only one term and retired? No doctor said he retired on medical grounds. He did so on grounds of integrity. And talking about unfinished business George Bush should still be in power today because peace has still not returned to Iraq. The initiators of the More Time agenda are firmly behind the youths whom they are using as fronts. The man himself could prove that he is genuine about quitting office by issuing a warning to all those spreading the illegality to desist forthwith. He even has a media unit where President Tejan-Kabbah had only a pressman to do it. But will he ever do it? Is the Senegalese leader not asking for less time?
SLBC stoppages & timing
The SLBC prides itself as being the broadcasting service ‘nar’ salone after the fashion of BBC without the BBC clout. What listeners have yet to hear is ascendancy of the SLBC over the independent stations with all the state resources at their disposal. Has the quality of production matched let alone exceeded that of the SLBS which they supplanted? The answer is yours.
When it comes to the timing of various programmes there is so much more to be done mainly for sycophantic reasons. This is more disheartening when it comes to the most important item in broadcasting which is the national News Bulletin. In the disciplined days of SLBS time lines for the news were strictly adhered to and did not run into other programmes. The irony here is that SLBS personnel were not appointed by politicians and were therefore independent. Just why a corporation that is expected to do better than its predecessors is so politicized is the wonder of the day.
Waterloo house owners nonplussed
Citizens of Waterloo village in the Western Rural Area woke up recently to find personnel at the doorsteps delivering demand notes with one year arrears. Not only that. The rates were hiked by 300 percent. Even idiots know that there was an involuntary lull in economic activities due to the Ebola outbreak including but not limited to agricultural activities in this rural area. It was seen by the helpless house owners as not only heartless but even sadistic. Callers on local radio stations called for a re-think. The exercise has been suspended. Was it worth it?
(C) Politico 25/02/16
