Wishing away African and Nigerian problems will not make them go away
We are in silly season again in Nigeria. The heart of Africa project has presumably run its course. It is no longer useful, time to replace it with another elephant project. And talking about the heart of Africa project, the infomercial was so badly executed, the feature with Obasanjo was colorless and drab. But again, even if it was successful in changing a few minds, it would not have changed the reality in Nigeria.
The good people, good country public relations project launched by the information minister is another wasteful venture in an on going saga of a dearth of ideas within Nigeria’s ruling elite. And I have always wondered why Nigeria needs an information minister, why would any serious government need a minister for propaganda? It would have been more appropriate for Mrs. Akunyili to use her other portfolio as the minister of communication to start making meaningful changes within the beleaguered ministry. Reposition it for 21st century challenges and create an enabling environment for entrepreneurs to inject FDIs into the sector, this will create well paying jobs and further healthy competition within the industry. If these acts are reciprocated amongst her peers (cabinet ministers) Nigeria would spend less money on wasteful ventures such as this rebrand Nigeria thing.
In order for Nigeria to be taken seriously as a key player in global affairs, we have to start playing by the rules. Right now, in good old Nigeria, billions of Naira was spent on a national identity card project, the cards were issued after a long delay but guess what? There is no national policy that requires its use in many formal settings i.e. Banking, Insurance, Education and government agencies! The result as you can imagine is another colossal waste and a drain on meager government resources. This brings me to a nagging question? Why do we always have to reinvent the wheel? What is true of the botched I.D card scheme is true of this new initiative. Why do we need a national identification programme? Why are the states not using their own departments of motor vehicle to collect resident’s personal information that can be easily accessible to the police, banks, insurance companies etc. why are we embarking on another jamboree instead of putting our house together first?
A Nigeria that works would sell itself. Some have suggested that we can not wait till we solve all our problems before telling our own good stories, the sad truth is that right now, we have not done the necessary homework to make that phrase applicable to our present situation.
We have a nation that has not answered some of the most fundamental questions that are pertinent to its existence as a nation. Which is; what kind of citizenship is available in Nigeria? By this I mean, why are we still struggling about the issue of indigenes and non indigenes? Why have we not done justice to the issue of the Niger delta? Why do we have a police system that feels it is a protector of whoever is in power not of the Nigerian people. And why do we have attorney generals that think they are in office to protect their political lords not the Nigerian people? There is a ton of questions that needs to be asked about the state of the Nigerian nation, at present most are not even considered. Those that wields political power in Nigeria profits from the chaos and confusion that we have at the moment. Let me give you an example, why would a high ranking Nigerian official that is involved in money laundering ever pray for Nigeria to have a standardized database such as the one I proposed about the states effectively using their own DMV? He is not going to be disposed to such an idea because with these kinds of information, illicit funds can be easily traced.
Before the minister goes on spending funds that are hardly available, she should have a rethink, Nigeria’s problem is home grown and we have to start applying ourselves to the work that is necessary to dig Nigeria out of this hole. This is not impossible, but as a first step I suggest we go back to the basics, as one of my friends suggested last week, lets redefine citizenship in Nigeria. Nigerian citizens should have a feeling that this is their country too! Right now most are disillusioned and hopeless. The task before the minister is to begin to change the minds and attitudes of her peers and her immediate boss, Nigeria’s president Umaru Musa Yar adua. She needs to tell him that in order to be taken seriously he can not be seen to be frolicking with the likes of James Ibori and other questionable characters. She should also made it known to Yar adua that the work that Nigeria needs done requires 24hrs 7 days a week 365 days a year attention not a 9-5, 5days a week work mentality that we are witnessing under this administration. Then she should start making the rounds to the state capitals, meeting with governors, the leaders of the state houses of assembly and local government heads to discuss and align the federal government goals for all the states of the federation, the states that are making significant progress in equal opportunity for all citizens (not indigenes), protecting lives and properties should be singled out for commendation, the ones that are lacking behind should be encouraged to emulate their peers. If Mrs. Akunyili would ask President Yar adua to drop the information part from her portfolio (that is what Segun Adeniyi, Special assistant on media should be doing) and give her the national orientation portfolio as an add on, this will be a better route to take rather than this jamboree repackaged in a new form. Nigerians and the international community have seen this before, unfortunately it has not brought in any new FDI or a change in attitude amongst Nigerians.
I hope from her high perch the minister would eat an humble pie and together with her peers they can begin the actual work that Nigeria needs done. The rebrand Nigeria project is certainly not one of those.
Abdulmumin Yinka Ajia
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
In 2011, The Nigerian Blogosphere Should Match WOrds with Action
Over 3 years ago, I wrote the article "When talk alone is cheap" the issues that I espoused have not changed significantly since then, what has changed though is the growth of the Nigerian blogosphere, from Saharareporters to the nigeriavillagesquare.com, you will agree with me that the power brokers are paying some attention to what Nigerians have to say, sadly, that is where it ends, except for a few charitable acts here and there, the British Airways boycot etc, the Nigerian blogosphere in my opinion has not effectively utilized its medium to demand for and get the change it desires. With hundreds and possibly thousands of active, well informed bloggers, the Nigerian blogosphere ought to retool and harness its human capital in the fight to take Nigeria back.
It is refreshing to read Pius Adesanmi's narrative on his attempt to take Nigeria back one village at a time, this is a good start but we all need to join in this effort. We can start from our wards, villages and states.
While on the subject of taking Nigeria back, I want to call our attention to an assumption that I have noticed within the Nigerian blogosphere, its what I call an acute distrust of anyone or any ideal that does not come to our self proclaimed idea of political puritanism. In this case, you will find the most vicious critic of Nuhu Ribadu, Bola Tinubu, Pat Utomi, Nasir El Rufai, Donald Duke, Ngozi Iweala and a host of other promising progressive Nigerians. While I am not suggesting that criticism is not appropriate, infact it is necessary, I do however believe that our criticism should be couched in political reality. These group of men and women may not have lived up to our best ideals all the time but they are certainly and I say this without any equivocation, they are a far cry from what Nigeria has lived through within the last three decades.
What is needed here is a collaborative effort between the Nigerian blogosphere and those who are on the ground in Nigeria, the ones that are showing signs of promise, we need to encourage them, correct them constructively when we think they are wrong and work in partnership with them to usher in the Nigeria of our dreams. I have reposted "When talk alone is cheap" in its entirety. I believe it is as poignant then as it is now.
When talk alone is cheap
First published by http://www.nigeriavillagesquare.com, 22 January 2006
Am not going to bore you all with the same over flogged rhetoric, that Nigeria doesn't have reliable energy, that most of our infrastructures are in dilapidated states, that our healthcare delivery is in shambles, our security agencies ram shackled, that even though our constitution calls for a federal system of government, we are in fact a unitary state and that with the rest of the woes facing this nation, the Nigerian people have been greatly traumatized in the process.
The issue now is, since we have identified most of the ills facing our nation and in most cases also offered solutions, what do we do next? Are we just going to be armchair commentators or soldiers in the battlefield of freedom?
I declare that talk is cheap when it is not backed by action, Nigerians in the Diaspora have a great opportunity to live and work in an environment where their labor is rewarded handsomely, they should use whatever leverage they have to press home to the Nigerian government that good living ought not to be a preserve of the rich and mighty in Nigeria alone but that the government’s primary responsibility is in creating an enabling environment for prosperity to thrive for all.
We have to note that there has been a pattern amongst past and present Nigerian leadership. More often than not, they are anti people, morbidly corrupt, oppressive and utterly totalitarian. The result has been the continued deterioration of every facet of life of the Nigerian people. As you read this, the average life span of a Nigerian is at 44 years! How pathetic!!
Because of this kind of leadership, we as a people have been tuned to forever criticize and compare one bad government to another. Now it is my humble opinion that we need to do more. The Wole Soyinkas, Anthony Enahoros et al have done their part, the torch should pass on to younger Nigerians both in the Diaspora and in the motherland, all hands must be on deck to wrestle Nigeria out of the hands of the thieving class that has become its albatross. The following are ways that I think we can do this:
The formation of a strong multi ethnic coalition with card carrying members both in the Diaspora and in the motherland
They should have a constitution that would not be ambiguous and one that will be ratified by all founding members.
A standing committee with clearly defined tenure that will carry out the day to day activity of the organizations should be put in place.
Their agendas should be clearly spelt out, its primary goal should be to promote good governance in Nigeria using legitimate channels to achieve this.
In the Diaspora, these organizations will be saddled with carrying out seminars, workshops etc and protest marches whenever any high ranking government official is visiting. Its standing committees will provide the logistics for these.
The standing committees will also be responsible for lobbying members of the United States congress and other European parliaments.
Besides the annual stipends that will be contributed by card-carrying members, the committees will also have the mandate to seek for funds from individuals, foreign governments and multi national corporations.
All affairs of these organizations must be transparent and democratic in order for it to be credible.
With well coordinated efforts, these organizations will have favorable legislation passed on its behalf demanding good government accountability from Nigeria.
They can also participate in the Nigerian national assembly by sending forth pro-growth bills to the body, the issue of our federalism and the workability or otherwise of the present constitution should take front and center.
Finally, after careful consultation within its members and with some financial stability, these organizations can metamorphose into a political party and continue to set agenda for the nation.
I submit that if we as a people can fight for what rightfully belongs to us instead of just talking about it, we can indeed move a long way towards the free and prosperous Nigeria that we dream of. If you agree that yesterday was too late a day to have started this, then lets get it started now.
It is refreshing to read Pius Adesanmi's narrative on his attempt to take Nigeria back one village at a time, this is a good start but we all need to join in this effort. We can start from our wards, villages and states.
While on the subject of taking Nigeria back, I want to call our attention to an assumption that I have noticed within the Nigerian blogosphere, its what I call an acute distrust of anyone or any ideal that does not come to our self proclaimed idea of political puritanism. In this case, you will find the most vicious critic of Nuhu Ribadu, Bola Tinubu, Pat Utomi, Nasir El Rufai, Donald Duke, Ngozi Iweala and a host of other promising progressive Nigerians. While I am not suggesting that criticism is not appropriate, infact it is necessary, I do however believe that our criticism should be couched in political reality. These group of men and women may not have lived up to our best ideals all the time but they are certainly and I say this without any equivocation, they are a far cry from what Nigeria has lived through within the last three decades.
What is needed here is a collaborative effort between the Nigerian blogosphere and those who are on the ground in Nigeria, the ones that are showing signs of promise, we need to encourage them, correct them constructively when we think they are wrong and work in partnership with them to usher in the Nigeria of our dreams. I have reposted "When talk alone is cheap" in its entirety. I believe it is as poignant then as it is now.
When talk alone is cheap
First published by http://www.nigeriavillagesquare.com, 22 January 2006
Am not going to bore you all with the same over flogged rhetoric, that Nigeria doesn't have reliable energy, that most of our infrastructures are in dilapidated states, that our healthcare delivery is in shambles, our security agencies ram shackled, that even though our constitution calls for a federal system of government, we are in fact a unitary state and that with the rest of the woes facing this nation, the Nigerian people have been greatly traumatized in the process.
The issue now is, since we have identified most of the ills facing our nation and in most cases also offered solutions, what do we do next? Are we just going to be armchair commentators or soldiers in the battlefield of freedom?
I declare that talk is cheap when it is not backed by action, Nigerians in the Diaspora have a great opportunity to live and work in an environment where their labor is rewarded handsomely, they should use whatever leverage they have to press home to the Nigerian government that good living ought not to be a preserve of the rich and mighty in Nigeria alone but that the government’s primary responsibility is in creating an enabling environment for prosperity to thrive for all.
We have to note that there has been a pattern amongst past and present Nigerian leadership. More often than not, they are anti people, morbidly corrupt, oppressive and utterly totalitarian. The result has been the continued deterioration of every facet of life of the Nigerian people. As you read this, the average life span of a Nigerian is at 44 years! How pathetic!!
Because of this kind of leadership, we as a people have been tuned to forever criticize and compare one bad government to another. Now it is my humble opinion that we need to do more. The Wole Soyinkas, Anthony Enahoros et al have done their part, the torch should pass on to younger Nigerians both in the Diaspora and in the motherland, all hands must be on deck to wrestle Nigeria out of the hands of the thieving class that has become its albatross. The following are ways that I think we can do this:
The formation of a strong multi ethnic coalition with card carrying members both in the Diaspora and in the motherland
They should have a constitution that would not be ambiguous and one that will be ratified by all founding members.
A standing committee with clearly defined tenure that will carry out the day to day activity of the organizations should be put in place.
Their agendas should be clearly spelt out, its primary goal should be to promote good governance in Nigeria using legitimate channels to achieve this.
In the Diaspora, these organizations will be saddled with carrying out seminars, workshops etc and protest marches whenever any high ranking government official is visiting. Its standing committees will provide the logistics for these.
The standing committees will also be responsible for lobbying members of the United States congress and other European parliaments.
Besides the annual stipends that will be contributed by card-carrying members, the committees will also have the mandate to seek for funds from individuals, foreign governments and multi national corporations.
All affairs of these organizations must be transparent and democratic in order for it to be credible.
With well coordinated efforts, these organizations will have favorable legislation passed on its behalf demanding good government accountability from Nigeria.
They can also participate in the Nigerian national assembly by sending forth pro-growth bills to the body, the issue of our federalism and the workability or otherwise of the present constitution should take front and center.
Finally, after careful consultation within its members and with some financial stability, these organizations can metamorphose into a political party and continue to set agenda for the nation.
I submit that if we as a people can fight for what rightfully belongs to us instead of just talking about it, we can indeed move a long way towards the free and prosperous Nigeria that we dream of. If you agree that yesterday was too late a day to have started this, then lets get it started now.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
My take on the Mimiko Verdict
While I rejoice with the majority of Nigerian progressives on this important victory, we must also insist on urgent electoral reforms that will forestall this kind of occurence in the future. Its been almost two years since the election was conducted and till date there are still pending litigations scattered across the nation. This is not healthy for the country, if it bears repeating, all electoral litigations ought to be dispensed with before a substantive public official is sworn into office.
This is not just plain common sense, it makes for good economics too. The current practice of unending litigation will continue to encourage corruption, a dearth of ideas from public officials who are embroiled in trying to keep their seats and the real victims are the Nigerian electorate who will have to suffer the consequences of elite conflicts.
As we celebrate yet another judicial victory and an affirmation of the independence of our courts, we must hasten to make sure that the Nigerian National Assembly pass the appropriate electoral laws, one that will save us from this non stop national embarrassment.
And of course, one that will deliver democracy dividends to the Nigerian people in a timely fashion.
This is not just plain common sense, it makes for good economics too. The current practice of unending litigation will continue to encourage corruption, a dearth of ideas from public officials who are embroiled in trying to keep their seats and the real victims are the Nigerian electorate who will have to suffer the consequences of elite conflicts.
As we celebrate yet another judicial victory and an affirmation of the independence of our courts, we must hasten to make sure that the Nigerian National Assembly pass the appropriate electoral laws, one that will save us from this non stop national embarrassment.
And of course, one that will deliver democracy dividends to the Nigerian people in a timely fashion.
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