By Uchendu Precious Onuoha (Special Correspondent Spain)
BUHARI, ARE YOU THE ONE?
About 2000
years ago, the nation of Israel was in a state of dilemma and confusion, as they were dominated by an imperial lord. Under the circumstance the people found
themselves they remembered that they were blessed with a land that flowed with
milk and honey. But because of their disobedience to Yahweh, evil and
corruption pervaded the land, and the Jewish nation lost their position and bearing
in God’s purpose for the nation. And they became colonized by the Roman Empire.
The people suffered in the midst of plenty as their fate lied in the hands of
the imperial lords. Under their predicament, they remembered a promised messiah. A leader who would bail them out, and deliver
them from political, social and economic bondage. And It was under that
scenario that Jesus Christ came on stage with a ministry contrary to their
expectations, including John his fore runner. Perhaps if Jesus were really the
Messiah, He would perform works connected with political deliverance of Israel
or at least the deliverance of John, His fore runner who was unjustly
imprisoned, they may have reasoned. John became doubtful, and sent emissaries
to Jesus and asked. “Are you the coming one, or do we look for another?” Under the circumstance John found himself,
his situation may be explained.
The
Presidential election has come and gone in Nigeria. And the president elect has
emerged. His victory has been welcomed with a lot of euphoria among some
Nigerians, and despair among others across the nation. Like the people of Israel and John, Nigeria is
in a state of high expectation, doubt and predicament. To the President elect,
like a new born baby the birth celebration will soon be over and the guests
will depart. And staring before him is a journey into a vast plantation. Buhari,
to many Nigerians may seem to be the
expected Messiah going by his pedigree. But to millions of Johns across
Nigeria, given to the state of rot in the system, with corruption exulted and glorified in high places, no steady power
supply, education and health care beyond the reach of the common man, no water,
and good roads. A situation that made
Andrew to check out in the 80’s. And worse still the hydra headed insecurity
problem. In the midst of these, the question in the minds of many Johns in
Nigeria are; Buhari, are you the coming
one, or should we look for another? President elect, the answer is yours.
In a country
where the leaders are richer than the states, Politicians looting and squandering
the public’s money without any fear or restriction and milking the nation’s
resources to a standstill. While the masses and youths are suffering, the
salary and income of a Nigerian legislator in a year is more than the overall
income of the constituency that he represents. Mr. President elect, your
campaign slogan was vote for “change”. Now that the protagonist of change has
arrived, Will there be changes in situations that are crying for change. Buhari, are you the coming one or should we
look for another?
Judgement should
begin from the house of God. Therefore change should begin from those on the
seat of power. The earnings of a Nigerian senator in a year is more than
enough to provide the basic amenities, which are lacken in the states they represent. Because
Nigerian legislators are overpaid that’s why going to Abuja has become a do or die
affair for every politician whom the first bill that receives an express
approval is their salaries. If Abuja is changed from been a goldmine to
legislators at the expense of the people, the number of those who go there to
suck Nigeria dry will be reduced.
Remove tithe
and offering from the church, then you will know those who are really called by
God. President elect, here is a special
report on the salaries of the legislators you are about to preside. Will there
be a change in this trend. Buhari, are
you the one, or should we wait for another?
Details of
Average Salary of a Nigerian Senator.
Basic Salary
(B.S) - N2,
484,245.50
Hardship
Allowance (50% of B.S) - N1,242,122.70
Constituency
Allowance (200% of B.S) - N4,968,509.00
Newspaper
Allowance (50%of B.S) - N1,242,122.70
Wardrobe
Allowance (25% of B.S) - N621,061.37
Recess
Allowance (10% of B.S) - N248,424.55
Accommodation
(200% of B.S) - N4,968,509.00
Utilities
(30% of B.S) - N828,081.83
Domestic
Staff (70% of B.S) - N1,863,184.12
Entertainment
(30% of B.S) - N828,081.83
Personal
Assistants (25% of B.S) - N621,061.12
Vehcle
Maintenace Allowance (75% of B.S) - N1,863,184.12
Leave
Allowance (10% of B.S) - N248,424.55
Severance
Gratuity (300% of B.S) - N7,452,736.50
Car Allowance
(400% of B.S) - N9,
936, 982.00
Total Monthly
Salary = N29,479.00 x 12 = N353,756,988.00 ($2,183,685.00)
Exchange Rate
= $1 = N162
LEGISLATORS
PAY WORLDWIDE PER ANNUM
Britain
- $105, 400.00
United States
- $174,000.00
France - $85,900.00
South Africa
- $104,000.00
Kenya - $74,500.00
Saudi Arabia -
$64,000.00
Brazil - $157,600.00
Ghana - $46, 500.00
Indonesia - $65, 800.00
Thailand
- $43,800.00
India - $11, 200.00
Italy - $182, 000.00
Bangladesh - $4,000.00
Israel - $114,800.00
Hong Kong
- $130,700.00
Canada - $154, 000.00
Spain - $43,900.00
Germany
- $119,500.00
Pakistan
- $3, 500.00
Norway - $138, 000.00
According to
the Economist, in terms of law makers’ salaries as a ratio of GDP per capita,
the gap is even much wider. While the salary of a Nigerian law maker is 116
times the country’s GDP per person, that of British Member of Parliament is
just 2.7 times. The average salary of a Nigerian worker based on the national
minimum wage is N18, 000.00. So the yearly salary is N18, 000.00 X12 =
N216,000.00 ($1,333.00). Remember, the annual salary of a Nigerian senator is,
$2,183,685.00. In proportion, $2,183,685.00/$1,333.00 = 1,638. Therefore, it
will take an average Nigerian worker 1,638 years to earn the annual salary of a
Nigerian Senator. Senior Buhari, please answer John your servant, with the
above statistics, are you the one to make the changes, or should I wait for
another?
Mr.
President, you can see that our legislators legislate more into their pockets,
and they are part of the problem of this country. Therefore you don’t need to search
far for where the change you came for should start. Buhari, tell us if you are
the messiah Nigeria has been waiting for, or do we look, and wait for another.
To be contd.
