Where Are We Going?
Published by toyin on Tagged Abroad, Corruption, Governannce, Lagos, Nigeria
The news that MTN Communications, a leading Nigerian mobile communication outfit has decided to sight its regional Head Office was not only shocking but very instructive. Also significant is the planned phased withdrawal of International Oil Companies (IOCs) from our shores to Ghana and Angola. Add these to the relocation of several other multinational manufacturing concerns to our so called ‘small’ West African neighbor and you would begin understand the seriousness of our situation as a nation.
Yet, the above scenarios does not bother our leaders as they go about exhibiting their ‘home grown’ patriotism and loyalty to the course of continual relevance in the corridors of power never minding the fact that the country they are supposed to be leading is derailed and on a dangerous decline. Sooner than later, we will all realize that the world waits for no one.
Recently, it was announced that Angola has overtaken Nigeria as the world’s sixth largest crude producer and that major investment in that industry has increased ten folds in the last five years in that country while the reverse is the case at home. The implication of this to an oil dependent like ours would soon become glaring. Even our biggest buyer, the US is working on alternative energy sources and is determined to get its crude from other countries. After all, Nigeria is not the only crude producer in Africa! Read the rest of this entry »
Enough is enough!
Published by toyin on Tagged Action, Governannce, Nigeria, Vision
At the last count, more than 400 people have lost their lives and over 40,000 others displaced in the latest carnage in Jos. And this is less than two years after the last one in November 2008. The reality is also that the white papers on the panels set up by the Federal and State governments are yet to be out on the last violence. People are skeptical that anything tangible would come out of the panels as such exercises in the past never yielded any positive change.
Significantly, the deep-seated hatred between the Beroms, Anagutas etc and the Hausa Fulani would not allow a far-reaching peace to be achieved as these ethnic groups are not ready to budge. The arguments on the issues surrounding ‘indigenous owners’, ‘settlers’ and other ethnic groups are very complex. When ethnicity and perceived rights are thrown up, only the appeal to common sense and brotherliness may suffice to douse the heightened tension bound to arise. This is where a proactive government comes in. Read the rest of this entry »
Time for Action!
Published by toyin on Tagged Action, Governannce, Lagos, Vision
Nigerians woke up to the news on the December 25, 2009 that a young man, aged 23 years from a prominent northern family attempted (and thankfully failed) to bomb a US airliner in Detroit, Michigan. With 290 passengers and crewmembers on board, this would have been a monumental catastrophe. With this occurrence, Nigeria, a country that has almost been thrown into international oblivion due to poor governance suddenly became the watchword in every ones mouths. As our government battled hard to come to terms with what happened, the US authorities swung into action and promptly added Nigeria to a list of ‘Countries of Interest’ in international terrorism.
While we fought so hard in the past to put Nigeria back into the front burner of international discourse and consideration, the current administration of President Umaru Yar’Adua whether by omission or commission contrived to reverse all the goodwill of the previous eight years. Lacking in vision, our foreign policies became a cloudy and ambiguous rhetoric. Till now, Nigeria does not have a substantive ambassador to the US. Our foreign affairs minister represented the country in the last two UN General Assemblies where Heads of governments hold sway! Read the rest of this entry »
The Politics of Succession
Published by toyin on Tagged Corruption, Counsel, Governannce, Nigeria, Wisdom
President Umar Musa Yar’Adua is currently indisposed due to ill health. This much we know. What we do not know however is the plan of those hawks in the corridors of power to put the Constitution of the Federal Republic first or otherwise above their personal interest and palpable thirst for power. The next three days is very crucial in regard to this as the swearing in of the new Chief Justice of the Nation would become due by January 1, 2010. Similarly, the Supplementary Budget awaits the signature of the President. A lot is therefore hanging in the balance even if our leaders want us to think otherwise.
Having been made to queue for fuel for the past two weeks and with contrasting news coming from NNPC and major marketers, Nigerians at least expect some form of cooperation within government to resolve the issue. In saner climes, officials would have been resigning now but not here. To make matters worse, the Vice President, Goodluck Jonathan instructed Rilwan Lukman, the minister of petroleum to cancel his holidays and stay around to resolve the crisis only for the man to jet to Austria for a meeting he claims has already been scheduled. Could he have disobeyed President Yar’Adua instruction like that? Read the rest of this entry »
Brazil: A Good Example to Follow
Published by toyin on Tagged Abroad, Governannce, Instructions
Brazil, the biggest South American country is expected to be the fifth largest economy in the world by 2015. Growing at 5% yearly, by the said year, it would knock off both Britain and France from their perch. Most significantly, the country has recorded 97% in school enrolment, which is a major component of the MDGs as enshrined in its formulation for developing countries.
The country, which was a former Portuguese colony has eclipsed all expectations in terms of growth and development and now is a member of a powerful group of nations popularly tagged the BRIC countries. This group consists of Russia, Indian, China and our subject matter. Read the rest of this entry »
Lesson for All!
Published by toyin on Tagged Corruption, Governannce, Nigeria, Vision, Wisdom
Our country is in dire need of prayers. I can’t but feel a sense of trepidation each time I think over the direction in which we are headed as a nation. We seem determined to continue to slide down into abyss. We are incapable of doing the right thing at any time save those things that benefit parochial, ethnic, tribal or religious sentiments. We shout from the top of our voice to anyone who care to listen that we are a democracy and yet the simplest democratic values are missing in our political conducts.
Most worryingly is the determination of the failed leadership that we are saddled with to continue in corruption and lack of vision in running the country. Where decisions are taken to enhance the quality of life of the citizenry, the hawks in the corridors of power hijack these initiatives to feather their nests to the detriment of the rest of us. These unpatriotic people have messed up rural electrification, HIV/Aids initiatives, NECO, UBE, Federal Road Maintenance, NAPEP etc. Read the rest of this entry »
Distinguished and Honourable Ego!
Published by toyin on Tagged Abroad, Governannce, Nigeria, Vision
Our leaders have a very humorous and annoying way of doing things; even things that are very important. They feel that they are a unique set of people and must be seen and treated as such. It doesn’t matter if there is no basis or need for such treatment! They like to boast and declare with gusto their accomplishments and status. The people who fail to notice or appreciate this will have unpleasant stories to tell. The experience of one young lady with naval ratings is still very fresh in our memories.
The recent disagreement over which chamber should host the President for the presentation of the 2010 budget sticks out like a sore thumb in the many ‘sins’ of the National Assembly. If there’s nothing we could do as a people to stop the obscene salaries and allowances our legislators earn while ‘serving’ us, I think taking the people for granted based on egoistical odyssey is going too far! Read the rest of this entry »
Important Notice
Published by toyin on Tagged Action, Governannce, Lagos, Nigeria
We cannot continue to be unconcerned about the growing poverty in our nation! If we do this, we are inviting Armageddon quicker than it would have come. The reality in Nigeria today is that the economic well being of the majority is severely threatened by conducts of the minority in government. A nation that is ruled by people that have no decency is bound to fall into a ditch. Our leaders have shown, largely by their collective actions that they do not really understand what governance is all about.
To curb the increasing crime and violence in the country, the President must declare a State of Emergency on unemployment. I am not one of the people who seem to think that government must employ everybody for the country to develop. But I am a strong believer in the fact that government must take the initiative in the direction of economic empowerment and social development. How can we achieve this? Read the rest of this entry »
About Time!
Published by toyin on Tagged Action, Corruption, Governannce, Nigeria
There is a powerful verse in the Bible that alludes to the fact that when people know that punishment for evil deeds are perpetually deferred; they set their minds to continue in wickedness. The last time any major politician ended up in jail was during the Buhari-Idiagbon regime when most politicians found themselves in various prisons across the country. The irony of it is that most of the people jailed in those days were politicians that really had no case to answer. This is a stark contrast to our current band of thieving rulers who have no idea of what governance is all about beyond the opportunity to loot the treasury and peddle influence.
Having established watertight cases of corruption and abuse of office against many ex governors, the EFCC has found it even harder to bring prosecution to a close talk less of getting judgment. Strange and very ridiculous injunctions are obtained from our courts to thwart the power of the constitution and delay justice. The meaning of Rule of Law has been turned upside down and so, many villains are walking free like heroes in our country. Read the rest of this entry »
Desperate Politicians!
Published by toyin on Tagged Corruption, Governannce, Lagos, Nigeria
When I went through most of the national dailies last week, the major issue that took most of the space was PDP’s plan to regain Kano and of course, take over Lagos. This intention was revealed by no other than Chief Vincent Ogbulafor, PDP’s national chairman. He made the statements at a reconciliation meeting for estranged PDP members in Kano. He declared that it is unbearable that a ‘big’ state like Kano is not in the fold. Neither does it make any sense to him that the nation’s economic center is governed by another party.
Now, there’s no problem with one political party looking to expand its frontiers. It is a normal thing all over the world for political parties to campaign and seek to win over other areas, states or electorates that are not within its control. Such efforts are usually aided by concrete achievements and visible accomplishments and not based on rhetoric or propaganda. It is even more imperative to note here that the success or otherwise of any political party is largely determined by the electorates. That is the people make or mars any political party. This however, is largely the reverse in Nigeria. Read the rest of this entry »