Once again, reading the readers

With the nation currently facing all kinds drama on all kinds of fronts, so has my inbox been receiving all kinds of emails, some nice and pleasant, and many quite angry and even caustic. As usual, I have selected the most vocal, nice or otherwise, to reproduce this week so you, my reader, can have a feel of what your fellow regulars feel about ‘Column No. 6’. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I did gathering them. – Abdulkareem

Re: Electric cars in a time of electricity scarcity

I’m surprised that you were happy when you said in your column that you read somewhere that the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) is set to introduce an environment-friendly transport system in Abuja, “as part of plans to make the national capital a green city”. To be honest, I’m yet to see a single thing announced or carried out by the administration of the current FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello. While like you, I count Jelani Aliyu as a personal hero, the fish-out-of-water Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) is going to end up wasting away here in Nigeria, instead of pursuing his stellar career in the United States. In closing, I will like to ask you to please go all-out when looking at a topic, highlighting all that’s wrong with it. Sometimes balancing a situation with the ‘other side’ does more harm than good. Granted, your impeccable journalism background and many years of experience mean you must strike a balance; but maybe you could suspend that every now and then. While I, like you, am patiently waiting for Abuja’s electric cars, I won’t hold my breath.

Sani Mohammed Umar, Kaduna.

Re: Dear repentant terrorists, forgiveness is far too divine

I’m always surprised at the authoritarian tone you take on when penning your column. When I read your last piece, I wondered why you could sound so judgmental of leaders, and whatever choice is leading us to forgive bandits. Also, I disagree with you that they are terrorists. Why must you repeatedly try to force it down people’s throats that we should wrongly label a group of people? Sure, they’re criminals, but that doesn’t mean they are terrorists. Not by a long shot. Don’t get me wrong, I cheer whenever our security personnel gain on them. The, on the issue of actual terrorists, namely Boko Haram insurgents, I agree with you. Their crimes are too heinous for forgiveness, and the Federal Government risks looking weak if it does not deal with them squarely, and in a way that will show it means business. In any case, even though I disagree with you many times, I still return to your column every week. Thank you for your time.

Kephas Bitiyong, Kaduna.

Re: Dear repentant terrorists, forgiveness is far too divine

I almost broke in a dance after reading your piece titled ‘Dear Repentant Terrorists, Forgiveness is Far Too Divine’, because frankly, it echoed my sentiments. We as a nation need to call our leadership to order, that they will do the right thing. And right now, it’s not being done at all. Thank you for sticking to your guns over the past year this column has been running.

Damilare Usman, Ilorin.

Re: Of failed states and failed state governors

I could not stop laughing as I read your piece with the above title, even though it mostly tackled serious issues. And it is because of the sheer, acerbic nature of your wit. I shared it on WhatsApp and Facebook, and the response I got was quite massive. Most of our state governors have indeed failed us, true, and I wish more writers and journalists would point that out. Thank you for that. I also can’t wait for your piece on Lai Mohammed, which you promised. How he ended up making Afghanistan’s problems likened to ours is testament to the man’s derailment. Maybe the oncoming cabinet reshuffle will sweep him away, maybe not. I’m allowed wishful thinking, am I not?

Jimi Martins, Lekki.

I’m always surprised at the authoritarian tone you take on when penning your column. When I read your last piece, I wondered why you could sound so judgmental of leaders, and whatever choice is leading us to forgive bandits. Also, I disagree with you that they are terrorists. Why must you repeatedly try to force it down people’s throats that we should wrongly label a group of people? Sure, they’re criminals, but that doesn’t mean they are terrorists

Re: Why stop at just two ministers?

Your attention finally came onto Nigerian ministers. While I was happy, I found myself at odds with some of your harsh criticism. It’s like you have no idea what it takes to be a minister in this country of ours, with all its drama and wahala. There are many exigencies which non-players cannot see, which influence an individual’s performance. I would love to bash non-performing political appointees any day, but when it comes to ministers, I would prefer we gave them the benefit of the doubt. Even with my issue regarding the piece itself, the following line, which you utilized to end the piece, worked for me very succinctly: “I also won’t name the non-performers, chiefly because they are quite obvious, and known by name and action, or inaction.” Bravo.