The Nation Newspaper

Category: Letters

  • Foreign aid in Africa: Balancing progress and sovereignty

    Foreign aid in Africa: Balancing progress and sovereignty

    • By Anjorin Oludolapo Charles

    Foreign aid is a critical component of international relations with developed nations providing various forms of assistance to less developed countries. In Africa, foreign aid plays a significant role in addressing various challenges, from economic development to humanitarian needs.

    To understand foreign aid better, it is fundamental to understand that it comes in various forms, each with its unique attributes and consequences.

    Military aid for instance, entails the transfer of military personnel, weapons and training from one nation to another. This can substantially bolster a recipient’s capabilities.

    Technical assistance on the other hand involves sharing of expertise and knowledge often accompanied by experts from the donor nation educating and training personnel in the recipient country.

    Grants and commodity import programs are another facet of foreign aid. Grants provide financial support to developing nations, while commodity import programs inject capital into the recipient’s economy, fostering industrialization and self-sufficiency.

    Developmental loans as the name suggest are long term loans provided to less developed countries to support their economic growth. These loans typically allow the receiver ample time for repayment. Take as an instance, The Nigerian Railway Modernization Project (Lagos – Ibadan section) was funded with $1.267billion, the Rehabilitation and Upgrading of Abuja – Keffi Makurdi Road with $460million, the Supply of Rolling Stocks and Depot Equipment for Abuja Light Rail Project $157million, and the Nigeria Greater Abuja Water Supply Project with $381million. All four loan facilities from China were obtained in August 2017 and May 2018, with the maturity dates of September 2037 and March 2038 respectively.

    Social and cultural aids encompass the transfer of educational materials, food and medical supplies, contributing to cultural activities and addressing humanitarian needs. Initiatives like ‘Live Aid for Africa’ in 1986 and UNICEF’s vaccine programs to Nigeria fall under this category.

    Read Also: Nigeria’s 1.35m bpd out put leads in Africa

    While these forms of aid vary, collectively, they fall under the umbrella of “economic aid.”

    In a broader sense, foreign aid can come from individual nations (unilateral aid) or international bodies like the United Nations, African Union, or the African Development Bank (multi-lateral aid).

    Yet, foreign aid is not a purely altruistic endeavour; it often reflects the interest of the donor nations. Aid is typically administered on terms that align with the donor’s national interest. This dynamic creates a situation where foreign aid can simultaneously benefit and burden the recipient nation. Often, conditions are attached to aid packages, which can significantly influence the recipient’s policies and decisions.

    To illustrate, a developed nation might use economic aid to gain economic concessions, to advance their political interests in the recipient country, or influence its foreign policy. This can lead to a situation where the recipient’s sovereignty is compromised, as they must comply with the donor’s demands.

    Foreign aid is indeed a double-edged sword when it comes to its impact on African countries. On one hand, when used judiciously, financial grants or loans can substantially accelerate development. The United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have remarkably and meaningfully impacted Nigeria’s educational sector, benefitting thousands of households. As proof, of its impactful contributions, DFID provided support to 10 of Nigeria’s 36 states through two significant program UNICEF-led Girls Education Program (GEP) and the Education Sector Support Program in Nigeria (ESSPIN). DFID’s financial commitment to these programs was sizeable with an expenditure totalling £102 million within the period of 2005-2019.

    Moreover, military aid has also led to improved security cooperation between African nations and superpowers such as China, enhancing counterterrorism efforts, and local production of military equipment and exchange of knowledge.

    Humanitarian aid particularly from the United States has played a pivotal role in supporting Africa’s most vulnerable communities. In fiscal year 2022 alone, USAID provided more than $6 billion in multi-sector humanitarian assistance to Africa. This underscores the international community’s commitments to bolster live-saving aid in these regions.

    Furthermore, foreign aid has contributed to infrastructure development in African countries. For example, Chinese developmental loans have supported construction of critical infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and ports which enhances economic growth and trade.

    Education and healthcare in African countries have received a significant boost through aid from donor nations. This support has translated into improvements in the education system, increased access to healthcare, and overall wellbeing of African citizens.

    Agricultural development has also been positively influenced by foreign aid. Resources, training and technology transfer have paved the way for improved agricultural practices, thereby boosting food security and economic growth.

    However, foreign aid’s downsides cannot be overlooked. It has the potential to create dependency on Western nations making African countries increasingly reliant on external support.

    Furthermore, donor nations may use aid as a means to influence foreign policy of the recipient, potentially compromising their independence.

    Economically, over-reliance on foreign aid can exacerbate challenges, by burdening African nations with debt, inflation, and vulnerability to currency fluctuations. In some cases, this has led to civil unrest and conflicts.

    Nigeria has encountered issues related to corruption and mismanagement, with significant funds being diverted away from their intended purposes, hindering development.

    Again, a Global Fund audit report that covered the period between January 7 and December 17 2018, revealed how aid money disappeared in the hands of corrupt officials in some African countries. According to the report, seven countries top the list of nine indicted of fraud and incompetence in the 2018 ‘audits and investigations’ from the Office of the Inspector-General (OIG), an independent arm of Global Fund. For the same reason, investigations for each country were detailed in separate reports they all reveal a similar pattern of fraud, coercion, collusion, administrative lapses, inefficiency, bad or no accounting, and non-compliance with aid agreement. 

    Zambia and Mozambique have faced substantial debt burdens due to loans and financial aid raising concerns about their ability to repay these loans and their impact on economic stability.

    Ethiopia’s remarkable growth has been accompanied by concerns about her over-reliance on foreign aid which raises questions about long-term sustainability and economic independence.

    Similarly, conditionalities attached to foreign aid have posed great challenges for countries like Uganda as donor nations often use aid as leverage to influence political decisions, potentially undermining the country’s sovereignty.

    The challenges in dealing with foreign aid are significant, but they are not insurmountable. Overcoming these challenges necessitates a multi-pronged approach.

    Transparency and accountability are crucial, with African nations needing to prioritize rigorous checks and balances to track and ensure funds are used as intended.  Also, diversifying funding sources is critical to reduce economic dependency. African countries should stimulate domestic industries, attract foreign direct investment, and expand trade to decrease reliance on foreign aid.

    Afterward, strengthening of governance is also essential to combat corruption and ensure that foreign aid reaches its intended target. African government must demonstrate a commitment to good governance and anti-corruption measures.

    Finally, diplomatic negotiations with donor countries can help reduce conditionalities that may undermine sovereignty. Engaging in discussions about mutually beneficial terms of conditions can foster a more balanced relationship.

    To conclude: foreign aid in Africa is a complex issue with both positive and negative implications. Balancing progress and sovereignty is key to ensuring that aid contributes to sustainable development without compromising the independence of African nations.

    • Anjorin is a political scientist and socio-political analyst
  • Lessons from MohBad’s life for today’s youths

    Lessons from MohBad’s life for today’s youths

    Sir: The sudden demise of the 27-year-old artist, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as MohBad or Imole, on September 12, left many Nigerians in shock. MohBad’s music career was on the verge of taking off, but his untimely death thrust him into greater posthumous popularity. His prophetic lyrics hinting at increased love and attention after his passing have become a poignant reminder for us to reflect on his life, rise, and fall. Like a prophet, he also sang, “When I’m there no more, people will love me more…talk about the things I’ve done, discuss my rights and wrongs.” His death reminds everyone to remember their creator in the days of their youth.

    MohBad’s life served as a catalyst for expressing the angst and despair prevalent among the youth. His untimely demise reflected the struggles and, perhaps, a few wrong choices he made. Like MohBad, many youths grapple with hardships, including the absence of joint parental care from both father and mother. Mohbad’s narrative resonates with the untapped talents and struggles pervasive in today’s youth culture. There is no doubt that the world is full of untapped talents. Time and chance happen to all in going into the limelight. Many youths are too eager to launch out.

    Do we remember Mohbad and his desire to break free from the clutches of people greater than him? Many youths are also stuck today because they cannot afford to wait. More importantly, they are seeking validation where they should not. Many youths are entrapped in the world of bullying and oppression.

    MohBad’s death serves as a reminder for everyone to remember their creator, especially in the days of their youth. Youths must understand the pitfalls associated with pursuing fame and success outside the plans and purposes of God. In their eagerness to launch out, many youths sometimes forget the importance of aligning their dreams with God’s timing and purpose. Unduly influenced by promising money, they are tempted by the fleeting fame they believe they have acquired.

    Read Also: Workers’ strike stalls MohBad’s coroner inquest

    Youths should not need to give in to societal pressure. Most youths pursue a musical career oriented solely towards materialistic pursuits and vain glory. When Burna Boy, the Grammy award-winning artist, criticised Afrobeat songs as lacking substance, he was heavily criticized. However, he was not totally wrong. Again, the infiltration of drugs and occultism into artistic expressions raises concerns about the future of today’s youth. If this trend continues, who will save our youths?

    We hear many trending artists who started from the church. But many seemed impatient with the pace at which they wanted to get to the peak of their music career. God’s journey to them sometimes seems too slow. MohBad’s journey, like that of many budding artists, highlights the impatience that some harbour towards achieving success in their careers. The lure of money and fleeting fame can tempt individuals to compromise their values.

    The nickname of Mohbad, “Imole,” meaning light, serves as a symbolic reminder. We must never forget that God is the light of the world who dispels the darkness of the world.

    • Matthew Alugbin, PhD, University of Ibadan
  • Different faces of the NLC

    Different faces of the NLC

    Sir: Gone were the days when the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) was the voice of the masses. If the NLC sneezed during these periods, the whole country would shake. This was the case because the union was non-partisan towards any political group.  Prior to this time, the NLC chose their fights meticulously; they rarely engaged in industrial actions that later turned the masses against them. But can this be said of today’s NLC?

    The NLC was known to be the defender of the underprivileged. But putting into consideration the way the union is being managed nowadays, it seems the body has turned to an organization that is being used to settle personal scores with whoever crossed any of its leaders’ paths. It has obviously become the body that is being influenced to inflict pains on people anytime there is a clash between the union and the government or any group. 

    Many have wondered as to what could have caused the attack on one of the leaders of the NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero, in Imo State. To some others, the attack was unavoidable since many of the union’s members and its leader are now allegedly involved in politics. Be that as it may, many want to know why the whole country of over 230 million people must go through hardship owing to a skirmish between the NLC president and unknown persons in one state, Imo, out of 36 states including the Federal Capital Territory.

    No one supports or could have encouraged violence against any leader of the NLC. However, I also do not expect the NLC to torment the entire citizens of Nigeria in the course of wreaking vengeance on the union’s enemies.

    Read Also: JUST IN: NLC, TUC hold emergency NEC meeting on strike suspension

    I personally frown at the treatment meted out to Ajaero in Imo State. This of course, should be discouraged, most especially in a civilized society. Nevertheless, I’ll never support a union which was purposely and intentionally instituted to be for all but chose to be for one. Showing glaring support for a particular political party is undoubtedly against the ethics of a labour union that portrays itself to be the defender of all. The moment the NLC swore allegiance to a particular political party was exactly the time people started doubting the union’s integrity.

    Every group has a purpose for which it is created. The purpose of NLC is totally different from that of a political party.

    The NLC is neither a political party nor a group that has the power to decide who should govern a state or the country. The power to do this is left for the electorate. The labour union was created to prioritize the welfare and rights of Nigerian workers. Meddling in political activities is never a suitable call for the NLC to answer. Political engagements such as campaigns, rallies and debates should be left for those who’re wired to do politics. Any labour leader, who cannot do without playing partisan politics, should be advised to relinquish or vacate his seat for peace to reign.

    • Ademola ‘Bablow’ Balalola, babalolaademola39@gmail.com
  • Imperative for revaluation of the naira

    Imperative for revaluation of the naira

    Sir: There is no basis- economic or otherwise- whatsoever for the poor or low rate of the naira compared to the US dollar or British pounds sterling.

    In international economics, the price or rate of exchange of one currency (say the Naira) against another currency (say the British pounds or US dollar) is determined by the “Purchasing Power Parity (PPP). PPP works on the principle of “One price,” for the two countries whose exchange rate are being compared; in other words, a British consumer and say a Nigerian consumer will purchase a product or services in the country where the prize is cheaper. PPP works on relative price rises, known as inflation, which is measured by Consumer Price Index (CPI) for a given quantity of a basket of goods and services.

    A litre of petrol costs N650 (50p or half a pound sterling) in Nigeria currently; in UK a litre of petrol currently costs about £1.60, at current exchange rate that is about N2,000, over three times the cost in Nigeria. Therefore, according to the one price rule, Britons should buy their petrol in Nigeria as are Nigerians.  A litre of pineapple juice (Exotic etc.) cost just about N1,000 or less in Nigeria, less than a British pound at current rate of exchange; on the other hand a litre of pineapple juice of less concentration and quality costs £2.50 in UK- that’s over N3,500. So the juice should be bought in Nigeria, not UK, by UK citizens as well as Nigerians.

    Read Also: Nigeria lost huge forex defending naira, says Finance minister

    A haircut in outer London costs £10.00 or more. In Lagos suburbs, you can have a better haircut for N500. What that means is that you can have 30 haircuts in Lagos for the prize of one haircut in London suburbs. 

    So by Purchasing Power Parity, British consumers, as well as Nigerians should buy all products in my basket of goods and services in Nigeria. By doing so- purchasing in Nigeria instead of UK- the demand for Naira will be high and that of pounds sterling would be low, therefore Naira would appreciate against the fall of the pounds sterling.

    I have checked over a dozen goods and services and found the prices much cheaper in Nigeria than in UK and US, so why is the naira so poorly or lowly rated against these major currencies? The answer I believe is the work of unpatriotic currency speculators and to some extent the higher level of import compared to our export- demand for foreign currencies exceeding supply of foreign exchange.

    All things considered, the naira should be revalued to no more than N200 to the dollar or N275 to the pounds sterling.

    • High Chief Tony Ishiekwene, <tonykwene@aol.com>
  • On Dangote/Abdulsamad rivalry

    On Dangote/Abdulsamad rivalry

    By Ishaku Adams

    Sir: In the quest for energy self-sufficiency and economic empowerment, Aliko Dangote and Abdulsamad Rabiu, two prominent Nigerian businessmen, have embarked on a fierce competition in the arena of oil refineries. This battle for supremacy in the refining industry not only reflects their ambitious visions for the energy sector but also has far-reaching implications for Nigeria and the entire African continent.

    Aliko Dangote’s eponymous refinery, aptly named the Dangote Refinery, stands as one of the largest and most ambitious industrial projects in Africa. Located in Lekki, this mega-refinery is designed to have a refining capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, making it a game-changer in the oil and gas industry. Dangote’s vision extends beyond national borders, with plans to transform Nigeria into a net exporter of refined petroleum products.

    In response to Dangote’s ambitious venture, Abdulsamad Rabiu entered the refinery race with the BUA Refinery. Situated in Akwa Ibom, Nigeria, the BUA Refinery aims to refine 200,000 barrels per day, contributing significantly to Nigeria’s refining capacity. Abdulsamad’s foray into the refinery business demonstrates a commitment to diversification within the energy sector and reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported refined petroleum products.

    The Dangote-Abdulsamad refinery rivalry holds the promise of transforming Nigeria from a net importer of refined petroleum products to a self-sufficient and potentially export-oriented nation. The increased refining capacity is expected to enhance energy security, reduce the nation’s reliance on foreign refineries, and mitigate the economic impact of fluctuating global oil prices.

    Read Also: Tinubu committed to improving lives of vulnerable communities – Shettima

    Both Dangote and Abdulsamad recognize the potential of their refinery projects to stimulate economic growth and job creation. The construction and operation of these mega-refineries are massive undertakings that require significant manpower, providing employment opportunities for a large workforce. Additionally, the multiplier effect on ancillary industries further contributes to the overall economic development of the regions in which these refineries are located.

    Despite their shared goal of bolstering Nigeria’s refining capacity, Dangote and Abdulsamad face challenges ranging from regulatory hurdles to the complexities of managing such colossal projects. However, these challenges also present opportunities for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and industry-wide improvements that could benefit the entire nation.

    The Dangote vs. Abdulsamad business competition in the refinery sector is a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to national development exhibited by these two titans of industry. As their refineries near completion and begin operations, the impact on Nigeria’s energy landscape will be profound, setting the stage for a new era of self-sufficiency and economic prosperity. The outcome of this rivalry extends beyond individual successes, holding the potential to reshape Africa’s energy dynamics and inspire a new wave of industrialization on the continent.

    •Ishaku Adams,

     Borno State University, Maiduguri

  • Poor Dino!

    Poor Dino!

    Sir: Despite all his loud and boastful rantings, puerile noise-making, clownish behaviour, crude bum-fuckery, infantile court-jesting, nauseating gorilla-dancing, gratuitous insults, foul-mouthed bluster, tough guy “gra gra” and area boy antics and in spite of his membership of the ‘Bugger Me Stiff United Football Club’, he received the flogging and trouncing of his pitiful life in the Kogi State governorship election.

    Out of the 751,000 votes that were cast he could not even muster up to 47,000. That is approximately five percent!

    Worst still he came in a very distant third in the race and some have even said fourth! How sad! 

    Read Also: 40% IGR deduction: Burden will be passed to parents, colleges of education union warns FG

    This is a man that was once elected as a House of Representatives member and a Senator!

    This is a man that mocked PBAT for his age, called him a drug dealer, accused him of being a drug addict, threatened to violate the honour of the First Lady, rolled all over the floor during the presidential campaign rallies in the name of depicting our president as an invalid and geriatric and threatened us with hell, fire and brimstone if Asiwaju won. 

    Well today he is where he is and politically it’s all over for him. How are the mighty fallen! 

    It appears that the White Lion of Kogi made good his promise and has retired him from politics permanently.

    My heart goes out to him.

    •Femi Fani-Kayode,

    Abuja

  • Understanding the Israel-Palestine’s conflict

    Understanding the Israel-Palestine’s conflict

    • Abdu Abdullahi

    Sir: More than 100 years ago, November 2, 1917, Britain’s then foreign secretary, Arthur Balfour wrote a letter addressed to Lionel Walter Rothschild, a figurehead of the British Jewish community. The letter was short, just 67 words but its contents had a seismic effect on Palestinians that is still felt to this day. It committed the British government to” the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people” and facilitating “the achievement of this object”. That letter was known as the Balfour Declaration.

    For many years, the idea of the Jewish people having a nation state of their own was rejected by the European monarchs because it would involve ceding territory to make the Jewish state a reality. The Jews were held in low esteem and suspicion in parts of the world. This culminated in what was perceived as anti-Semitism. For instance, anti-Semitism played a major role in Adolf Hitler’s thinking about the Jews. Like many, he blamed the Jews for everything wrong with the world. Germany then was weak and in decline due to the ‘Jewish influence’. According to Hitler, the Jews were after world dominance and they would not hesitate to use all possible means, including capitalism. During the World War II, the Nazis resorted to mass murder of nearly six million Jews.

    After the World War I, the victors took control of much of the former Ottoman Empire in the Middle East. In 1948, the Britain allowed the Jewish state of Israel to form in the territory known as Palestine. To this effect, Israel was seen by Palestinians and the rest of the Arab world as an extension of colonisation. With the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, Jewish independence, which was lost 2,000 years earlier, was renewed.

    A British Mandate was created in 1923 and lasted until 1948. During that period, the British facilitated mass Jewish immigration- many of the new residents were fleeing Nazism in Europe and they also faced protests and strikes. Palestinians were alarmed by their country’s changing demographics. The British confiscated their lands and handed them over to the Jewish settlers. Consequently, escalating tensions eventually led to the Arab Revolt which lasted from 1936 to 1939.

    In April 1936, the newly formed Arab National Committee called on Palestinians to launch a general strike to protest British colonialism and growing Jewish immigration. The six months strike was brutally repressed by the British, launching a mass arrest campaign and carrying out punitive home demolitions, a practice that Israel continues to implement against Palestinians today.

    The second phase of the revolt began in late 1937 and was led by the Palestinian peasant resistance movement, which targeted British forces and colonialism. By the second half of 1939, British had massed 30,000 troops in Palestine. Villages were bombed by air, curfews imposed, homes demolished and administrative detentions and summary killings were widespread.

    Read Also: 40% IGR deduction: Burden will be passed to parents, colleges of education union warns FG

    In tandem, the British collaborated with the Jewish settler community and formed armed groups and a British-led “counterinsurgency force” of Jewish fighters named the ‘ Special Night Squads’. In those three years of revolt, 5,000 Palestinians were killed, 15,000 to 20,000 were wounded and 5,600 were imprisoned.  

    The United Nations adopted Resolution 181 which called for the partition of Palestine into Arab and Jewish states. The Palestinians rejected the plan because it allotted about 55% of Palestine to the Jewish state, including most of the fertile coastal region. Thereafter, the Zionist movement captured 78% of historic Palestine while the remaining 22% was divided into what are now the occupied West Bank and the besieged Gaza Strip.

    An estimated 750,000 Palestinians were forced out of their homes. Today their descendants live as six million refugees in 58 squalid camps throughout Palestine and in the neighbouring countries of Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Egypt. Settlements are illegal under international law but over the years, hundreds of thousands of Jewish settlers have moved to colonies built on stolen Palestinian land.

    After the creation of Israel state in 1948, the Arab-Israel war broke out and ended in 1949 with Israel’s victory but 750,000 Palestinians were displaced, the territory divided into three parts: the state of Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. In 1987, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza Strip rose up against the Israeli government in what is known as the first Intifada. In September 2000, the former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s visit to the al-Aqsa mosque- the third holiest site in Islam spearheaded the second Intifada which lasted until 2005.

    In a nutshell, Israel was created for the following main reasons. Jewish people did not have a country of their own. European countries were unwilling to give up any of their lands for Jewish cause. Jewish people wanted stability but they rarely had it in Europe. It is, therefore, a question of the Jews having an identity.

    •Abdu Abdullahi,

    Ringim, Jigawa State

  • Off-season elections: And the winners are ….

    Off-season elections: And the winners are ….

    • Victoria Ngozi Ikeano

    Sir: There were no major upsets as such in the just concluded off-cycle gubernatorial elections in three states as the ruling parties maintained their positions. The ruling parties cum incumbents in Bayelsa and Imo states, namely PDP’s Governor Duoye Diri and APC’s Governor Hope Uzodinma respectively, won their re-election bids.  Ditto Kogi State where the outgoing APC governor, Yahaya Bello will hand over to his protégée, now governor-elect, Usman Ododo.

    Yahaya Bello from a relatively minority tribe in Kogi became governor by accident. The charismatic Abubakar Audu, the strongman of Kogi politics from the majority Igala tribe was cruising to victory when he suddenly passed on. At the time, the Returning Officer had yet to make the definitive pronouncement on the outcome as he was still awaiting the last set of result. In the end he declared the election inconclusive. There was no clear cut answer in our electoral law as to what should be done in such a scenario. Audu’s then running mate, James Faleke sought to take the place of his principal and inherit his votes. In the end the Supreme Court ruled that Audu died with his votes since he had not been declared governor-elect to enable his deputy take over and that the runner up in his party primaries, Yaya Bello should be stepped up. That is how Bello became governor. He was re-elected apparently, through the power of incumbency and sworn in for a final second term in the first quarter of 2020. 

    Observers had reasoned that Bello having completed eight years on the saddle would pick someone outside his domain (central district) as his preferred successor. Surprisingly and against the principle of justice, he chose his tribesman, Usman Ododo who eventually became the ruling APC’s governorship flag bearer. The scenario is somewhat similar to an Atiku Abubakar, a Fulani man wanting to become president after eight years of a Fulani man’s reign in the person of former president, Muhammadu Buhari.

    Fortunately for Kogi APC, the Ododo gamble pulled through. Many factors contributed to this. First Kogi APC had the collaboration of the western senatorial zone where it won quite a number of local government areas as depicted by the official results. Secondly, the fact that President Tinubu gave Kogi’s ministerial slot to an Igala man means that the eastern senatorial zone did not lose everything and such high profile ministerial appointment would have won the APC some hearts in Igala land as well as made APC supporters there to work hard for the party. 

    Read Also: Tinubu committed to improving lives of vulnerable communities – Shettima

    Not a few are surprised that Governor Hope Uzodimma won in all 27 local government areas of Imo State. He proves thereby that he is an astute politician. His supporters would view the seemingly bad press his government had been receiving prior to the election as no more than propaganda by the opposition. With this victory I guess Imo State is now poised to play a leading role in the federal government as APC’s hub in the southeast region. Uzodimma’s position as chairman of APC Governors’ Forum places him and Imo in national limelight.

    Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa defeated former governor, Timipreye Silva who was also immediate past Minister of State, petroleum, to secure his second term. He won in six local government areas while Silva triumphed in two. Bayelsa State has about the lowest population in Nigeria and the least local government councils – just eight. Again, not a few people were surprised that Silva got the APC governorship ticket. The consensus opinion is that it should have gone to David Lyon who won the gubernatorial election last time but was ruled out on the eve of his swearing-in by the Supreme Court following a misdeed by his then running mate (he himself was not found guilty). However, it is hoped that Lyon could get the ticket in 2027 to realise his botched dream.

    •Victoria Ngozi Ikeano,

     victoriangozii@gmail.com 

  • Scandals from the grave

    Scandals from the grave

    Sir: The readily reminds increasingly poor Nigerians of their past, but especially of the relentless avarice of those who have led them at different times.

    After more than two decades, France has returned about $150 million stolen by late dictator Sani Abacha to Nigeria. Catherine Colonna, France Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, disclosed this in Abuja when she visited President Bola Tinubu.

    Is it not astounding that some of the loot was in France too? Previous ones were discovered in Switzerland, the UK, Jersey, Liechtenstein, and a handful of other countries. Where else did the late dictator stash away money he stole from Nigeria?

    It is difficult to pinpoint exactly at what point Nigeria started to drift south. But there is something resembling a consensus that a country that showed prodigious promise at independence in 1960 started to retrogress when the military began to intervene in government. The coup of 1966 was particularly jarring because it opened the floodgates of military intervention in Nigeria, casting the country backwards, and driving its institutions to distraction.

    Between 1966 and 1999, when Nigeria returned to democracy, the military had spent about 28 years in office. The recent military coups in neighbouring countries of Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Gabon sought to present the military as saviours of their country. While history holds that military interventions have proven salubrious for some countries, this has been exceptionally rare.

    Nigeria, the fallen giant of Africa, has had nothing good to recount or recall about the khaki-clad men who have held the reins of power in the country. Many of them have been little more than thieves and plunderers whose avaricious interests lay in the Nigerian treasury and the weakening of Nigerian institutions.

    But, somehow, in a country that saw iron-fisted despots like Ibrahim Babangida and Muhammadu Buhari enjoy unconstitutional incursions into government, Abacha takes the cake. The outrageous amounts of money that he stole and stashed away in Nigerian banks continue to be recovered and will continue to be recovered because the truth is that no one is really sure how much he put away and where he put them away. 

    Read Also: The unending saga of Abacha loot recoveries

    That the brutal dictator whose regime was steeped in blood continues to enjoy cult followership across sections of Nigerians speaks to the deadened consciences many carry about.

    Some of those who helped Abacha steal and stash away money have gone on to occupy high-profile offices in the country since his providential demise in 1998.

    Corruption in Nigeria has a long and painful history. If Nigerians are ever to point to one source of their multifaceted problems, it will be at what has proven a hydra headed monster.

    One thing that makes stealing public funds in Nigeria so relentless is that it is so rewarding. Those who do it only ever get a slap on the wrist if they do. They use stolen public funds to buy elections, buy court judgments, evade law enforcement and have at their leash irredeemable criminals who will do their bidding in a country where the law packs a lot of puff but little punch.

    The Abacha loot saga has continued to shame generations of Nigerians. The earlier Nigeria recovers all of it and plugs all the holes that enable the wanton stealing of public funds, the earlier the country will begin to recover from years of theft and plunder.

    Until then, the fact that many Nigerians believe that the Abacha loot returned to the country is destined only for another round of stealing speaks to a country where corruption is a virtue.

    • Kene Obiezu, keneobiezu@gmail.com
  • Resuscitating Katsina’s tourism sector

    Resuscitating Katsina’s tourism sector

    Sir: Gone are the days when Katsina State attracted international tourists, mostly from Europe and U.S. especially during Sallah festivals. In those days, a section of the building at Kangiwa Square was reserved for international tourists on the first day of Sallah festival (Hawan Idi).

     Unfortunately, during the last Hawan Idi, there was not a single foreign visitor! I was there; therefore, I am a living witness.

    Katsina State whose motto is: “Home of Heritage and Hospitality” and whose logo depicts the historic Gobarau minaret and Kusugu well, has long neglected its tourism potential. The celebrated Durbi-Ta-Kusheyi that is supposed to earn the state foreign exchange is neglected. Of all the historic sites in Katsina State, namely, Kusugu well, Gobarau minaret, Katsina College, Durbi-Ta-Kusheyi, royal palaces, Danmarna and Dantakum cemeteries, ancient gates, etc none is a  World UNESCO heritage site, and there is no ongoing effort towards achieving that milestone. 

    The two Sallah festivals are declining. They are becoming non-colourful, monotonous and boring because of lack of innovation and neglect. The festivals have become irregular. Since the calendar is subject to modification, no international tourist will waste his time preparing for something that can be cancelled at the eleventh hour.

    Read lso: Insecurity: Katsina Govt. bans large night gatherings

     The so-called “Home of Hospitality” has killed some of its holiday resorts like Chama Park in Jibia, Mairuwa and Ajiwa dams. Then came banditry and kidnapping, another nail on the coffin.

    In the face of dwindling revenue; it is imperative for Katsina State government to revive the tourism sector by restructuring the agencies that oversee it. Somebody who has the passion, the knowledge, the experience and vision, should be assigned by the governor to do this onerous assignment.

     The tourism sector should have a ministry. It should not be merged with, or put under another ministry. 

     Governor Dikko Umar Radda, should emulate the president of the United Republic of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan, who is now the number one ambassador of tourism for her country, busy marketing her country and attracting tourists all over the world. Last year alone, over two million international tourists visited Tanzania, most of them from Europe and America. And they are targeting five million this year Today, tourism is number earner of foreign exchange for Tanzania, apparently, overtaking the mining sector.

    • Comrade Bishir Dauda Sabuwar, Unguwa Katsina