When President Goodluck Jonathan inaugurated the National Conference and gave them the task to accomplish, there were lots of skepticism as to whether the conference can end peacefully or reach any meaningful conclusion. Though Nigerians are still praying for the adoption and implementations of the recommendations of the National Conference, the fact however remains that the National Conference was a huge success and a step in the right direction. There is without doubt, a fresh air in the atmosphere that Nigeria as a nation is heading towards a greater height in true federaralism, unity and peace as a result of the resolutions of the National Conference.
It is a tru-ism that there are many crises in all the sectors of the Nigerian economy calling for more proactive actions. There are challenges in the Security sector, Health sector, Transport sector, Agricultural sector, Power sector, External Relations, Youth Unemployment, Religious and Tribal crises among others.
The Success of the recently concluded National Conference is a clear pointer to the fact that unbiased and result-oriented conferences can be used to regularly resolve all the crises in all the sectors facing challenges in Nigeria to foster the growth of the Nigerian economy. The absence of such proactive action is mainly responsible for the non – accomplishment of the Millennium Development Goals and will also make the accomplishment of the Nigerian vision 20:2020 difficult if at all possible.
For over two years now, I have used several medium to advocate for an annual or at worse biennial National conference on Transportation. This proposed conference is to bring all the Stakeholders, Decision Makers and Observers together to regularly resolve the crises in the sector as well as formulate proactive policies for the coming years.
There is no doubt about the fact that there are crises between the Federal Road Safety Commission, State Ministries of Transport, Vehicle Inspection Unit, Motor Vehicle Licensing Authorities, Nigeria Police Force, State Traffic Management Agencies, Driving Schools, Local Government Authorities and other Stakeholders in one way or the other, while the rate of road accident and fatalities keep increasing in the country.
Furthermore, there are several draconian laws and regulations at the Federal and State levels that need to be re – addressed and amended for the good of Nigerians and the Nation as a whole.
Many things are wrong with several sectors in Nigeria and the earlier they are addressed, the better for the development of this great nation. For example, as at today, it has not yet been resolved who regulates the Driving Schools in Nigeria, the Federal Road Safety Commission or the State Governments. Nigeria recently ranked 191 out of 193 countries with the worst case of road crashes and fatalities. And we are yet to take proactive actions practically to drastically reduce the high rate of accidents and fatalities in Nigeria.
Why on earth should the Nigeria police Officers leave their primary jobs to be helping State governments to arrest Motorcycle Riders or prosecute offenders of State government traffic laws, arresting Drivers not using seat belt, looking for expired Driver Licence with little or no attention to the security of Nigerians in their domain if it is not for personal financial gains?
Current and potential Farmers have heard too much theories about how good and rewarding Agriculture is but what stops the Federal Ministry of Agriculture from approving 5 model Farmers in each State of the Federation, finance them, monitor them, create local and international markets for their produce so that the whole nation can see how truly profitable and rewarding farming is and how it’s used to generate employment by the model Farmers. This demonstration will encourage other Farmers and prospective Farmers to courageously step into the terrain and enjoy the local and international markets already created and widened to accommodate more Farmers and generate more benefits for job creation and growth of the economy.
What is wrong if it is agreed that any vehicle with factory – fitted tinted glass must always have their windows down whenever they are moving on the road since the glasses cannot be replaced. Criminals are even the fastest to get police permission to use tinted glasses. What then are we talking about? A conference deliberation on effectively proffer solution to this problem.
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture is boasting that their fertilizers are being distributed adequately to Farmers but is anyone talking about the effects of the fertilizers on the health of the Consumers of the produce of these Farmers?
This year alone, road accident has killed far more than the number of people killed by Ebola all over the world from 1976 to October 2014, thereby making road accident far more deadly and calling for more attention than the dreaded Ebola Virus disease.
If we are really sincere and committed to reducing the rate of road accidents and fatalities in Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Transport must be organizing an Annual National Conference on Transportation and the resolutions must be taken seriously for implementation by the Federal, State and Local Governments, their Agencies as well as other Stakeholders concerned in the overall interest and development of Nigeria.
The Federal Ministry of Power is saying that 4,500 megawatts of electricity will be available in Nigeria this year. But has the same ministry carried out a need – analysis to determine which Town or City in Nigeria needs more regular electricity to make sufficient impacts in manufacturing, production or service delivery that will make significant impact in direct and indirect employment generation in the country? So that more megawatts can be channeled to these identified towns or cities instead of political talks of improved megawatts to the whole country at once. What is the benefit of improved megawatts of electricity to villages whose Inhabitants go to farm in the day and only use electricity to sleep (at least for now)? Regular conference on power will address these issues and more for proactive measures.
Happenings in the micro – finance sector is a far cry from the original vision as announced at the inauguration of the micro finance policy by the government of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, a ceremony which I personally attended.
The Micro Finance Companies’ system can be likened to that of shylocks. The Beneficiaries of their loan facilities are groaning and their businesses are not experiencing real growth through the loans because they have become cows being milked by the Microfinance Banks.
Many things are currently wrong in the Nigerian banking and finance sector. It is only an all – encompassing finance conference comprising all the Stakeholders that can proffer real and lasting solutions in the interest of national development.
There are many facts that the Governments may not know until regular result – oriented conferences are organized by the Federal Ministry of Finance where Stakeholders and other interested parties bare their minds.
We are always fast in participating in International Conferences where our local situations cannot be deeply resolved but failing to use the same conference strategies to effectively address our local challenges. This year alone, Nigerian Governments and Agencies have attended several international conferences but how many have been organized by the Government Ministries to proactively solve the local problems and boost national development?
In Nigeria, how many Government Officials, Officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Airforce, Police and Civil Defence) and the Federal Road Safety Commission attended or passed through Driving Schools training to obtain their Driver Licences? Very few if at all there is any. Is this what obtains in other Countries? We should stop deceiving ourselves in the war against road accidents and fatalities in Nigeria.
The multiplicity and clashes in the functions of the Federal Road Safety Commission, State Government Agencies and Driving Schools can easily be resolved through regular result oriented national conferences to enhance safety on Nigeria roads.
The Nigerian Governments (Federal and States) are boasting and celebrating that Ebola Virus Disease is no more in Nigeria. They should however remember that Goliath has brothers. While Ebola is not yet completely dead globally, Marbug virus disease, Sarin, Rye ergot, Swamp fever, Smallpox, Typhoid, Anthrax, Botulism, Plague, Mail attack and Tularemia which have ravaged nations in the past and many yet to be mentioned biological attacks or disasters can manifest anytime and anywhere.
Instead of celebrating one victory, there is a need to call for an urgent disaster prevention and management conference to strategize well ahead of time in line with the principle of hazard perception, prevention and control.
In 2001, the United States anti – terrorism authorities played a “war – game” called Dark winter to determine the nation’s readiness in case small pox were deliberately released by aerosol methods in three States. Within 2 – weeks, the small pox spread to 25 States and 15 other Countries thereby making their vaccine supplies of 15 million doses inadequate but increased to 45 million doses before it was successfully checkmated. All these were done to ensure their readiness to effectively handle the perceived hazards. It is time Nigerian Governments (Federal and States) to wake up from their slumber and be more proactive in the handling of all the pressing issues in Nigeria, including Unemployment, Road Safety and Electricity among others.
In a nutshell, the success of the recent National Conference in the midst of divers opinion is a pointer to the fact that sectoral conferences can be used as a strong weapon for resolving the logjam hindering the performance of the various sectors and the overall national development.
hen President Goodluck Jonathan inaugurated the National Conference and gave them the task to accomplish, there were lots of skepticism as to whether the conference can end peacefully or reach any meaningful conclusion. Though Nigerians are still praying for the adoption and implementations of the recommendations of the National Conference, the fact however remains that the National Conference was a huge success and a step in the right direction. There is without doubt, a fresh air in the atmosphere that Nigeria as a nation is heading towards a greater height in true federaralism, unity and peace as a result of the resolutions of the National Conference.
It is a tru-ism that there are many crises in all the sectors of the Nigerian economy calling for more proactive actions. There are challenges in the Security sector, Health sector, Transport sector, Agricultural sector, Power sector, External Relations, Youth Unemployment, Religious and Tribal crises among others.
The Success of the recently concluded National Conference is a clear pointer to the fact that unbiased and result-oriented conferences can be used to regularly resolve all the crises in all the sectors facing challenges in Nigeria to foster the growth of the Nigerian economy. The absence of such proactive action is mainly responsible for the non – accomplishment of the Millennium Development Goals and will also make the accomplishment of the Nigerian vision 20:2020 difficult if at all possible.
For over two years now, I have used several medium to advocate for an annual or at worse biennial National conference on Transportation. This proposed conference is to bring all the Stakeholders, Decision Makers and Observers together to regularly resolve the crises in the sector as well as formulate proactive policies for the coming years.
There is no doubt about the fact that there are crises between the Federal Road Safety Commission, State Ministries of Transport, Vehicle Inspection Unit, Motor Vehicle Licensing Authorities, Nigeria Police Force, State Traffic Management Agencies, Driving Schools, Local Government Authorities and other Stakeholders in one way or the other, while the rate of road accident and fatalities keep increasing in the country.
Furthermore, there are several draconian laws and regulations at the Federal and State levels that need to be re – addressed and amended for the good of Nigerians and the Nation as a whole.
Many things are wrong with several sectors in Nigeria and the earlier they are addressed, the better for the development of this great nation. For example, as at today, it has not yet been resolved who regulates the Driving Schools in Nigeria, the Federal Road Safety Commission or the State Governments. Nigeria recently ranked 191 out of 193 countries with the worst case of road crashes and fatalities. And we are yet to take proactive actions practically to drastically reduce the high rate of accidents and fatalities in Nigeria.
Why on earth should the Nigeria police Officers leave their primary jobs to be helping State governments to arrest Motorcycle Riders or prosecute offenders of State government traffic laws, arresting Drivers not using seat belt, looking for expired Driver Licence with little or no attention to the security of Nigerians in their domain if it is not for personal financial gains?
Current and potential Farmers have heard too much theories about how good and rewarding Agriculture is but what stops the Federal Ministry of Agriculture from approving 5 model Farmers in each State of the Federation, finance them, monitor them, create local and international markets for their produce so that the whole nation can see how truly profitable and rewarding farming is and how it’s used to generate employment by the model Farmers. This demonstration will encourage other Farmers and prospective Farmers to courageously step into the terrain and enjoy the local and international markets already created and widened to accommodate more Farmers and generate more benefits for job creation and growth of the economy.
What is wrong if it is agreed that any vehicle with factory – fitted tinted glass must always have their windows down whenever they are moving on the road since the glasses cannot be replaced. Criminals are even the fastest to get police permission to use tinted glasses. What then are we talking about? A conference deliberation on effectively proffer solution to this problem.
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture is boasting that their fertilizers are being distributed adequately to Farmers but is anyone talking about the effects of the fertilizers on the health of the Consumers of the produce of these Farmers?
This year alone, road accident has killed far more than the number of people killed by Ebola all over the world from 1976 to October 2014, thereby making road accident far more deadly and calling for more attention than the dreaded Ebola Virus disease.
If we are really sincere and committed to reducing the rate of road accidents and fatalities in Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Transport must be organizing an Annual National Conference on Transportation and the resolutions must be taken seriously for implementation by the Federal, State and Local Governments, their Agencies as well as other Stakeholders concerned in the overall interest and development of Nigeria.
The Federal Ministry of Power is saying that 4,500 megawatts of electricity will be available in Nigeria this year. But has the same ministry carried out a need – analysis to determine which Town or City in Nigeria needs more regular electricity to make sufficient impacts in manufacturing, production or service delivery that will make significant impact in direct and indirect employment generation in the country? So that more megawatts can be channeled to these identified towns or cities instead of political talks of improved megawatts to the whole country at once. What is the benefit of improved megawatts of electricity to villages whose Inhabitants go to farm in the day and only use electricity to sleep (at least for now)? Regular conference on power will address these issues and more for proactive measures.
Happenings in the micro – finance sector is a far cry from the original vision as announced at the inauguration of the micro finance policy by the government of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, a ceremony which I personally attended.
The Micro Finance Companies’ system can be likened to that of shylocks. The Beneficiaries of their loan facilities are groaning and their businesses are not experiencing real growth through the loans because they have become cows being milked by the Microfinance Banks.
Many things are currently wrong in the Nigerian banking and finance sector. It is only an all – encompassing finance conference comprising all the Stakeholders that can proffer real and lasting solutions in the interest of national development.
There are many facts that the Governments may not know until regular result – oriented conferences are organized by the Federal Ministry of Finance where Stakeholders and other interested parties bare their minds.
We are always fast in participating in International Conferences where our local situations cannot be deeply resolved but failing to use the same conference strategies to effectively address our local challenges. This year alone, Nigerian Governments and Agencies have attended several international conferences but how many have been organized by the Government Ministries to proactively solve the local problems and boost national development?
In Nigeria, how many Government Officials, Officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Airforce, Police and Civil Defence) and the Federal Road Safety Commission attended or passed through Driving Schools training to obtain their Driver Licences? Very few if at all there is any. Is this what obtains in other Countries? We should stop deceiving ourselves in the war against road accidents and fatalities in Nigeria.
The multiplicity and clashes in the functions of the Federal Road Safety Commission, State Government Agencies and Driving Schools can easily be resolved through regular result oriented national conferences to enhance safety on Nigeria roads.
The Nigerian Governments (Federal and States) are boasting and celebrating that Ebola Virus Disease is no more in Nigeria. They should however remember that Goliath has brothers. While Ebola is not yet completely dead globally, Marbug virus disease, Sarin, Rye ergot, Swamp fever, Smallpox, Typhoid, Anthrax, Botulism, Plague, Mail attack and Tularemia which have ravaged nations in the past and many yet to be mentioned biological attacks or disasters can manifest anytime and anywhere.
Instead of celebrating one victory, there is a need to call for an urgent disaster prevention and management conference to strategize well ahead of time in line with the principle of hazard perception, prevention and control.
In 2001, the United States anti – terrorism authorities played a “war – game” called Dark winter to determine the nation’s readiness in case small pox were deliberately released by aerosol methods in three States. Within 2 – weeks, the small pox spread to 25 States and 15 other Countries thereby making their vaccine supplies of 15 million doses inadequate but increased to 45 million doses before it was successfully checkmated. All these were done to ensure their readiness to effectively handle the perceived hazards. It is time Nigerian Governments (Federal and States) to wake up from their slumber and be more proactive in the handling of all the pressing issues in Nigeria, including Unemployment, Road Safety and Electricity among others.
In a nutshell, the success of the recent National Conference in the midst of divers opinion is a pointer to the fact that sectoral conferences can be used as a strong weapon for resolving the logjam hindering the performance of the various sectors and the overall national development.
