The editor,

Punch Newspapers,

Kindly allow me a small space to comment on the shameful headline article in NIGERIAN TRIBUNE of today. The problem of our dear country, Nigeria, is that we do not have NATIONAL PRIDE. I repeate my assertion based on many years of experience following  what has been going on in the country. WE HAVE NO NATIONAL PRIDE  I have seen many countries go the extra mile to make sure the name of their country does not rub on the ground. I was a public servant in Nigerian Federal government organization for about 20 years and was head of an area office of the organization for over 8 years.

It is very embarrassing for our country’s name to be rubbed on the mud for just the maintenance of her embassies abroad. The money, as I know very well, is not the issue. It is the protocol of remitting the money to the embassies on time. In well-established organizations, these funds that are already budgeted are sent to the recipients at quarterly intervals far in advance of each quarter. As we are presently in the month of October, the last quarter remittance, ie October to December, is supposed to have been deposited in the accounts of the embassies by first week week of September. The embassies are not supposed to go cap in hand begging the minister of foreign affairs to be remitting their voted monies.

This is a very shameful issue that requires President Goodluck Jonathan to have a serious meeting with the heads of the affected parastatals and ministries to put to an end this shameful act.

I TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO WHOLE-HEATEDLY REQUEST OUT PRESIDENT TO PUT A STOP TO THIS SHAMEFUL ACT. IT IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE THIS WAY.

Chief Ugonnia Michael S. Chukwuelue served Industrial Training Fund Jos as Area manager from 1969-1996

.