DAVID MARK'S UNGOLDEN SILENCE.

SIR: Reports have it that over half a million persons are living with the dreaded HIV/AIDS in Benue State. This figure keeps rising by the day and sees Benue sit right at the top with the most endemic states a la HIV in Nigeria. What this portends for the state is better imagined. A commissioner from the state once stated that the virus was having a great effect on their state from farming to education et al, what with the impact on the human resources.

In March of this year, Nigerians decided that they were done with the ineptitude and insensitivity of the PDP since the inception of this democracy in 1999 and collectively decided to show them the door. This led to massive changes at the helm, from the Presidency to the two legislative arms of government which meant new faces/party at the helm of these hallowed chambers.

Did anybody see Senator David Alechenu Bonaventure Mark at the hallow chambers during the just concluded ministerial screening? Did you notice his body language? Did anybody even hear his voice? He was aloof. He had this I-could- care-less-since-I-am-not -number one kind of mien. The man seemed so uninterested that one is wont to think what his business is in that house and it worries me.

Senator Mark has been around for a very long time and has refused to leave the scene. The least he could do, having seen it all, is to jettison his self-worship and just begin to look at the greater good-that of his people. What I am asking/saying is, what stops Senator Mark from engaging one or all the potential ministers of health and taking them on on their plans to tackle the scourge of HIV/AIDS, not only in his state which has the highest number of people living with AIDS in Nigeria, but the whole country.

Couldn’t the senator have asked how they plan to provide services where needed to the infected as well as the affected states? He could have engaged further and found out what plans they have as regards creating more awareness, especially in rural areas, so as to prevent the further spread of AIDS as well as stigmatization of people living with the monster.

But no; our dear Senator Mark decided to keep mum when he had the opportunity to, for once, give his people the representation they deserve. He’s no longer the honcho of the house, so why belittle himself by saying anything. This is really low because it behooves him to work for the greater good even if it is to at least prove his beneficence.

As it is, one cannot guarantee that he would raise a single bill to be passed in the senate. I just hope he gets over the loss and focus on the primary reason why he is there-to work for a better Nigeria.

Bigger picture please, Senator David Alechenu Bonaventure Mark or take a walk.