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Tag: diversity

  • The business case for diversity in Nigeria’s workforce

    The business case for diversity in Nigeria’s workforce

    • By Adeola Olufunmilola Oshiyemi

    “Nigeria’s diversity is its greatest economic advantage — but only if businesses make inclusion a deliberate strategy.”

    In today’s global economy, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) have evolved from moral imperatives into strategic drivers of growth and innovation.

    Across the world, research consistently shows that organisations prioritising DEI outperform their peers in decision-making, innovation, and financial returns.

    For Nigeria — Africa’s largest economy and one of its most diverse nations — DEI represents a competitive advantage waiting to be unlocked.

    The Global Evidence Leading firms from New York to Nairobi demonstrate that DEI is not simply corporate charity but good business.

    McKinsey’s 2023 report found that companies with diverse executive teams are significantly more likely to achieve above-average profits.

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    Deloitte’s research shows inclusive companies are twice as likely to meet or exceed financial targets.

    The lesson is clear: diverse teams make better decisions, solve problems faster, and innovate more effectively.

    In a rapidly changing environment — where Nigerian businesses face technological disruption, new competitors, and evolving customer expectations — innovation is essential, not optional.

    Nigeria’s untapped potential with more than 200 million people across six geopolitical zones is one of the most ethnically, culturally, and linguistically diverse in the world. Yet, in many organisations, inclusion remains limited and often left to chance. Recruitment still leans heavily on personal networks rather than merit, narrowing the talent pool and stifling innovation.

    Gender disparities persist, with women under-represented in leadership. Persons with disabilities face systemic barriers to employment. Generational gaps and cultural silos limit collaboration.

    These patterns represent a missed opportunity for businesses that want to compete regionally and globally

    Concrete examples show what’s possible: A Lagos tech firm with a multilingual sales team can more easily expand into Francophone Africa; banks employing more women in product design will better serve Nigeria’s growing female entrepreneur segment; manufacturing companies that integrate persons with disabilities tap overlooked talent and win loyalty among socially conscious consumers.

    From compliance to competitive advantage

    To turn diversity into a growth engine, Nigerian companies must shift DEI from a checkbox to a core business strategy. Practical steps include:

    – Inclusive Hiring: Structured recruitment, blind CV screening, and diverse interview panels to minimise bias.

    – Equitable Career Paths: Transparent advancement opportunities, mentorship, and leadership development programmes for under-represented groups.

    – Cultural Competence Training: Equipping leaders to manage across cultural, gender, and generational lines.

    – Data-Driven Accountability: Tracking metrics beyond headcount — including inclusion and retention rates — to measure progress.

    – Leadership Commitment: Linking executive bonuses and evaluations to diversity goals.

    – Policy Reform: Ensuring accessibility, flexibility, and cultural sensitivity, especially for persons with disabilities.

    Why it matters

    Diverse teams challenge group think and spot opportunities others overlook. Fintech startups with mixed teams adapt faster to varied customer needs. Manufacturing firms with gender-balanced leadership report improved safety compliance and productivity.

    At the national level, a truly inclusive workforce — representing all geopolitical zones, empowering women and youth, and supporting persons with disabilities — would be better positioned to tackle Nigeria’s complex challenges. With over 60 per cent of the population under 30, sidelining young talent is a luxury Nigeria cannot afford.

    For businesses, the case is straightforward: companies that reflect their markets thrive. Those that do not risk irrelevance. This is not about quotas or tokenism — it is about competitiveness, innovation, and sustainable success.

    The Global Market Is Watching. Foreign investors now weigh DEI practice as part of due diligence. Multinationals expect their partners to uphold global inclusion standards.

    Nigerian firms that get ahead of the curve will attract not only capital but also top-tier talent from home and abroad. Inclusion also builds public trust, reduces workplace conflicts, and supports national development goals.

    A Call to Action. Having worked extensively in talent acquisition, organisational development, and community leadership across Nigeria’s banking, technology, and manufacturing sectors, I have witnessed first-hand the transformative power of inclusion. Diversity is not about lowering standards; it is about raising possibilities.

    Nigeria’s future competitiveness depends on harnessing the full spectrum of human potential. Inclusive organisations will attract the best talent, open new markets, and create lasting value.

    The business case for diversity is no longer theoretical — it is proven.

    The question facing Nigerian companies is not whether diversity and inclusion work, but whether they will act now.

    • Oshiyemi is MPA, CSM and CompTIA Security + certified.

  • ‘Our diversity can guide us to innovative solutions’

    ‘Our diversity can guide us to innovative solutions’

    The Convener of the Do The Right Thing Summit, Chief Mike Nwadiora, has said Nigeria’s diversity is not merely a source of strength, but a treasure trove of perspectives that can guide towards innovative solutions to the country’s most pressing issues.

    He said this while presenting his address at the 2023 edition of the summit themed “Being the Right Leader” at the Shehu Musa Yaradua Centre in Abuja.

    He said, together, Nigerians can drive positive change, foster ethical leadership, and champion the cause of doing the right thing in every facet of our lives.

    He said, by arming ourselves with knowledge, compassion, and the will to act, “we can truly transform lives and societies.”

    He said the summit will tackle complex issues, exchange innovative solutions, and forge collaborations that can help us navigate the challenges.

    Nwadiora urged Nigerians to always ensure they do the right thing in any situation they find themselves in.

    This, he said, would create a better country for all.

    He said, “It is with a great sense of humility that I welcome you to the ‘Do The Right Thing Summit 2023,’ a gathering that echoes the voices of visionaries, champions of justice, and advocates for a better world. In the words of Mahatma Gandhi, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” Today, we stand united in our commitment to catalyse positive change and pave the way for a future defined by equity, empathy, and empowerment.

    “As we embark on this journey together, let us draw inspiration from the words of Martin Luther King Jr.: ‘The time is always right to do what is right.’ These words remind us that the responsibility to create a just society rests upon our shoulders, regardless of the challenges we face.

    “In the spirit of unity, let us remember the wisdom of Maya Angelou: ‘We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter their colour.’

    “Our diversity is not merely a source of strength, but a treasure trove of perspectives that can guide us toward innovative solutions to the most pressing issues of our time.

    “Reflecting on the power of collective action, Nelson Mandela’s words resonate deeply: ‘It always seems impossible until it’s done.’ The challenges we confront may seem daunting, but history has shown that when we stand together with unwavering determination, the seemingly impossible becomes achievable.

    “Today, when we delve into keynote addresses, special sessions and collaborations over the course of this summit, let us keep in our minds that it is a time when ethical decisions and responsible actions are more crucial than ever.

    “This summit is a testament to our commitment to creating a better future. We have brought together experts, thought leaders, and change-makers from various fields to engage in meaningful conversations and inspire change.

    “Throughout this event, we will tackle complex issues, exchange innovative solutions, and forge collaborations that can help us navigate the challenges of our time. Our collective wisdom and determination can lead to a world where doing the right thing is not just a slogan but a way of life.

    “I encourage us all to actively participate, ask questions, and contribute your insights during the sessions. Together, we can drive positive change, foster ethical leadership, and champion the cause of doing the right thing in every facet of our lives. By arming ourselves with knowledge, compassion, and the will to act, we can truly transform lives and societies.

    “In the words of the great Eleanor Roosevelt, ‘Do what you feel in your heart to be right – for you’ll be criticized anyway.’ This summit is a testament to our collective dedication to doing what is right, even in the face of adversity or scepticism. It is a reminder that progress often comes from those who are unafraid to challenge the status quo and champion justice.

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    “So, let us come together with open hearts and open minds, ready to listen, learn, and collaborate. Let us heed the call of our time, as articulated by Desmond Tutu: ‘If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.’ Let us choose the path of empathy, advocacy, and action.

    “Thank you for being a part of the ‘Do The Right Thing Summit.’ Your presence here is a testament to your commitment to a better world. Let us embark on this transformative journey together, echoing the sentiments of Margaret Mead: ‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.’”

    The National Orientation Agency, represented by David Akoji lauded the Summit.

    He said, “This task of attitudinal change of imbibing our ethics and values as contained in the constitution of Nigeria is not something that can be achieved by just one agency of government. So when we see things like what Chief Nwadiora is doing with this summit, it makes us feel elated. It means that citizens are beginning to participate. They are also realizing they have a role to play in the creating a nation of our dreams.”

    Spokesperson of the Independent Corrupt Practises and other related offences Commission (ICPC), Mrs Azuka Ogugua, thanked the organizers of the Summit for the opportunity to participate in the event.

    She said it reflects the desire to see a new and better Nigeria where discipline is upheld, and integrity is the watchword.

    “The Commission wishes to use this opportunity to call on all leaders in the country to shun every act of corruption or compromise and embrace integrity and uprightness in all their activities. This will manifest as they follow the rules, give room to others to hold them accountable, and make their work transparent.

    “ICPC is also working with schools and youth groups to groom leaders who will do the right thing now and do the right thing tomorrow. We do this by partnering with civil society organizations such as the Summit organizers with the hope that we will build a society that is free from all forms of corruption and corrupt practices. That is the ICPC vision,” she said.

    Nollywood actor, Ejike Asiegbu, also emphasized the need for Nigerians to always do the right thing for a better country.

    He also called on the government and persons in authority to live up to expectations by ensuring they do what they are supposed to do.

    Also, the Head Girl of Government Secondary School, Apo Resettlement, Abuja, Ukpai Mary, said many people lack the ability to do the right thing, hence education on the matter was essential for a change in attitude for a better country.

    Goodwill messages were given by the National Orientation Agency (ICPC), Independent Corrupt Practises and other related offences Commission (ICPC), Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), the Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association (ASPAMDA) and the Secondary Education Management Board (SEMB).

    Keynote presentations at the event included “The Role of the National Orientation Agency in Doing the Right Thing” by David Akoji, “Transformational Leadership Essential in Nation Building” by Ibrahim Pam, and “Doing the Right Thing for the Nigeria we Need” by Prof Kingsley Moghalu.

    Others are “The ASPAMDA Story: Effects of Being the Right Leader and Doing the Right Thing” by Dr Polycarp Egwuonu”, Indiscipline and its Impact on the Nigeria of our Dreams” by Ngozi Kekwaru, and “Religious Leaders as Custodian of Religion and their Discipline in their Communities” by Pastor Peter Inyang.

    The event, which had some secondary schools in Abuja participating, also featured special panel sessions.
    “Our diversity can guide us to innovative solutions”

    The Convener of the Do The Right Thing Summit, Chief Mike Nwadiora, has said Nigeria’s diversity is not merely a source of strength, but a treasure trove of perspectives that can guide towards innovative solutions to the country’s most pressing issues.

    He said this while presenting his address at the 2023 edition of the summit themed “Being the Right Leader” at the Shehu Musa Yaradua Centre in Abuja.

    He said, together, Nigerians can drive positive change, foster ethical leadership, and champion the cause of doing the right thing in every facet of our lives.

    He said, by arming ourselves with knowledge, compassion, and the will to act, “we can truly transform lives and societies.”

    He said the summit will tackle complex issues, exchange innovative solutions, and forge collaborations that can help us navigate the challenges.

    Nwadiora urged Nigerians to always ensure they do the right thing in any situation they find themselves in.

    This, he said, would create a better country for all.

    He said, “It is with a great sense of humility that I welcome you to the ‘Do The Right Thing Summit 2023,’ a gathering that echoes the voices of visionaries, champions of justice, and advocates for a better world. In the words of Mahatma Gandhi, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” Today, we stand united in our commitment to catalyse positive change and pave the way for a future defined by equity, empathy, and empowerment.

    “As we embark on this journey together, let us draw inspiration from the words of Martin Luther King Jr.: ‘The time is always right to do what is right.’ These words remind us that the responsibility to create a just society rests upon our shoulders, regardless of the challenges we face.

    “In the spirit of unity, let us remember the wisdom of Maya Angelou: ‘We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter their colour.’

    “Our diversity is not merely a source of strength, but a treasure trove of perspectives that can guide us toward innovative solutions to the most pressing issues of our time.

    “Reflecting on the power of collective action, Nelson Mandela’s words resonate deeply: ‘It always seems impossible until it’s done.’ The challenges we confront may seem daunting, but history has shown that when we stand together with unwavering determination, the seemingly impossible becomes achievable.

    “Today, when we delve into keynote addresses, special sessions and collaborations over the course of this summit, let us keep in our minds that it is a time when ethical decisions and responsible actions are more crucial than ever.

    “This summit is a testament to our commitment to creating a better future. We have brought together experts, thought leaders, and change-makers from various fields to engage in meaningful conversations and inspire change.

    “Throughout this event, we will tackle complex issues, exchange innovative solutions, and forge collaborations that can help us navigate the challenges of our time. Our collective wisdom and determination can lead to a world where doing the right thing is not just a slogan but a way of life.

    “I encourage us all to actively participate, ask questions, and contribute your insights during the sessions. Together, we can drive positive change, foster ethical leadership, and champion the cause of doing the right thing in every facet of our lives. By arming ourselves with knowledge, compassion, and the will to act, we can truly transform lives and societies.

    “In the words of the great Eleanor Roosevelt, ‘Do what you feel in your heart to be right – for you’ll be criticized anyway.’ This summit is a testament to our collective dedication to doing what is right, even in the face of adversity or scepticism. It is a reminder that progress often comes from those who are unafraid to challenge the status quo and champion justice.

    “So, let us come together with open hearts and open minds, ready to listen, learn, and collaborate. Let us heed the call of our time, as articulated by Desmond Tutu: ‘If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.’ Let us choose the path of empathy, advocacy, and action.

    “Thank you for being a part of the ‘Do The Right Thing Summit.’ Your presence here is a testament to your commitment to a better world. Let us embark on this transformative journey together, echoing the sentiments of Margaret Mead: ‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.’”

    The National Orientation Agency (NOA), represented by Director, Special Duties, David Akoji, lauded the Summit.

    He said, “This task of attitudinal change of imbibing our ethics and values as contained in the constitution of Nigeria is not something that can be achieved by just one agency of government. So when we see things like what Chief Nwadiora is doing with this summit, it makes us feel elated. It means that citizens are beginning to participate. They are also realizing they have a role to play in the creating a nation of our dreams.”

    Spokesperson of the Independent Corrupt Practises and other related offences Commission (ICPC), Mrs Azuka Ogugua, thanked the organizers of the Summit for the opportunity to participate in the event.

    She said it reflects the desire to see a new and better Nigeria where discipline is upheld, and integrity is the watchword.

    “The Commission wishes to use this opportunity to call on all leaders in the country to shun every act of corruption or compromise and embrace integrity and uprightness in all their activities. This will manifest as they follow the rules, give room to others to hold them accountable, and make their work transparent.

    “ICPC is also working with schools and youth groups to groom leaders who will do the right thing now and do the right thing tomorrow. We do this by partnering with civil society organizations such as the Summit organizers with the hope that we will build a society that is free from all forms of corruption and corrupt practices. That is the ICPC vision,” she said.

    Nollywood actor, Ejike Asiegbu, also emphasized the need for Nigerians to always do the right thing for a better country.

    He also called on the government and persons in authority to live up to expectations by ensuring they do what they are supposed to do.

    Also, the Head Girl of Government Secondary School, Apo Resettlement, Abuja, Ukpai Mary, said many people lack the ability to do the right thing, hence education on the matter was essential for a change in attitude for a better country.

    Goodwill messages were given by the National Orientation Agency (ICPC), Independent Corrupt Practises and other related offences Commission (ICPC), Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), the Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association (ASPAMDA) and the Secondary Education Management Board (SEMB).

    Keynote presentations at the event included “The Role of the National Orientation Agency in Doing the Right Thing” by David Akoji, “Transformational Leadership Essential in Nation Building” by Ibrahim Pam, and “Doing the Right Thing for the Nigeria we Need” by Prof Kingsley Moghalu.

    Others are “The ASPAMDA Story: Effects of Being the Right Leader and Doing the Right Thing” by Dr Polycarp Egwuonu”, Indiscipline and its Impact on the Nigeria of our Dreams” by Ngozi Kekwaru, and “Religious Leaders as Custodian of Religion and their Discipline in their Communities” by Pastor Peter Inyang.

    The event, which had some secondary schools in Abuja participating, also featured special panel sessions.

  • Diversity is Nigeria’s source of strength, says Buhari

    Nigeria’s diversity will remain a source of strength for the development of the country, President Muhammadu Buhari said yesterday.

    He spoke in Abuja while receiving Letters of Credence from Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Shimon Ben-Shosan.

    The President, according to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media & Publicity, Femi Adesina, said Nigeria and Israel have enjoyed cordial bilateral relations.

    He noted that many Nigerian Christians look forward to performing pilgrimage to the Holy Land in Israel.

    ‘‘I congratulate you on your appointment as Ambassador of Israel to Nigeria. Enjoy your stay in Nigeria and take time to go round to see the beauty and diversity of the country,’’ the President told the Israeli ambassador.

    The ambassador congratulated President Buhari on his re-election, thanking the Federal Government for extending an invitation to Israeli Prime Minister to attend the Democracy Day celebrations on June 12.

    The envoy said: ‘‘Next year will be 60 years of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Israel, and the last time a Prime Minister of Israel visited Nigeria was in 1958.

    ‘‘My dream is to bring my Prime Minister and President to visit Nigeria and for President Buhari to visit Israel. That will be historic for us.’’

    Receiving the Letters of Credence of the Sierra Leonean High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr Solomon Gembeh, President Buhari said that both countries have a strong and stable relationship borne out of shared history and decades of cooperation.

    President Buhari said he looked forward to continue working with President Julius Maada Bio to strengthen the relations between both countries, stressing that both countries shared a common historical background as former military Heads of State who later became civilian President.

    The President lauded the resilience of the Sierra Leonean people in overcoming the tragedy of the 2017 mudslide in the West African country.

    The Sierra Leonean High Commissioner thanked Nigeria for its steadfast brotherly support to his country, saying ‘‘during ECOMOG, Nigerian soldiers bled and died for us.

    ‘‘During the Ebola crisis, the mudslide, you have always been there for us. Nigeria has always been a big brother to us,’’ he said.

    Dr. Gembeh extended President Bio’s good wishes to President Buhari on his second-term in office, adding that his President is looking forward to attending the Democracy Day in Abuja on June 12.

  • Lagos is stronger for its diversity, says Sanwo-Olu

    LaGos State All Progressives Congress (APC)  governorship candidate Babajide Sanwo-Oluhas yesterday said that the state is stronger socially and economically because of its diversity.

    Sanwo-Olu, who spoke against discriminatory comments fuelled by the disruption of elections in some areas  during the last weekend presidential and National Assembly elections, cautioned that Lagosians should not play into the hands of mischief makers and crisis merchants.

    He said the state is a home for all, assuring that, if elected, his government will serve every Lagosian, regardless of their ethnicity, religion or party affiliation.

    Speaking on the conduct of the last Saturday’s elections, which he described as peaceful and well-coordinated, the flag bearer said there will be no discrimination in Lagos State.

    He added: “Every resident of Lagos State is central to the promised socio-economic development of the State, and everyone has the right to identify with any party of their choice. We are stronger and better in our diversity.”

    “As a politician and a governorship candidate, it will be exciting for me to have the support of every tribe in the state, but where people have other preferences, I cannot say that they do not have such rights. However, it will only be appropriate for electorate to support a party that has made Lagos a home for everyone”.

    “For instance, 40 per cent of teaching staff in Lagos State public schools are non-Yorubas, the pupils in secondary schools, for which Lagos State Government pays for National Examination Council and Senior Secondary School Examinations are in equal proportion between the Yorubas and non-Yorubas in Lagos State”

    “As a state, Lagos recognises her heterogeneity and will continue to promote the assorted ethnic composition as a unique advantage over other states in Nigeria. It is only in Lagos State that you can find Principal Officers, who are not ethnic people in the State Civil Service, Parastatals and Establishments. I call on our people to eschew violence and any form of harassment of innocent people. We must live in peace for development we know in Lagos to continue”, said Sanwo-Olu.

    Sanwo-Olu has anchored his campaign on Inclusive Governance stressing that he will work to positive impact in the lives and businesses of Lagosians.

    Earlier in his campaign, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu had engaged a number of stakeholder groups, including the Ndigbo, Arewa, Akwa-Ibom, Edo, Ijaw and other ethnics associations in Lagos.

    Sanwo-Olu has hinged his campaign on the THEME agenda, a wholly social transformation programme, that will bring about a sweeping impact on Transportation & Traffic Management, Health & Environment, Education & Technology, Making Lagos a 21st Century Economy and Entertainment & Tourism.

    This policy direction, which the Sanwo-Olu government, will focus its developmental efforts on, is designed for collaborative execution by the Private and Public Sector to facilitate inclusiveness and shared prosperity.

     

     

     

  • Of unity in diversity

    SIR: The Nigeria Television Authority has played and replayed the video of the late Biafran leader Chief Chukwuemeka Odimegwu-Ojukwu, countless times in a bid to preach the benefits of unity. While this is not wrong, one wonders if they actually understood what Ojukwu was pointing at or maybe they did but felt at the same time that it wasn’t necessary to take note of. Ojukwu said ‘Yes, I led the first one and I don’t think a second one was necessary because we should have learnt from the first one’.

    The point is there should be a balance of perspective on the information; otherwise it will be a case of abusing the sensibility of Nigerians who actually have nothing against the federation but that they demanded the implementation of the ingredients that guaranteed unity. Unity in diversity? What does that mean? For there to be unity, there should first be equity, equal rights, equal citizenry, fairness and openness. It is these ingredients that take care of the diversity and when this happens, unity becomes inevitable.

    Now what happens in the absence of these ingredients? Any unity that overlooked those ingredients has overlooked the diversities in strength, weakness, customs or ideologies and beliefs etc. This means that such unity can never be devoid of pockets of agitations through which bottled-up anger against the system and frustrations of diverse kinds are let out.

    We must balance whatever information that we spread around in the name of defending impunity lest we become victims of the same impunity tomorrow. Look at how Victor Malu ended after defending a very rotten system during his time as Chief of Army Staff. We must be careful; those calling for listening ears especially. What did we do with Ojukwu while he was alive for instance? Did we ever seek his wise counsel on how the country can progress without another tension?

    No. He is dead today and convenience demands that those who profit from the corrupt system of things should play his video to continue to deceive the people. Nzeogwu said this from the beginning but we killed him before he even finished speaking. Today we refer to his evergreen statement as though who cared to understand what they meant.

    Years ago, Atiku Abubakar was in power when James Ibori and DSP Alamesiegha made the case for resource control and he did nothing. Today he is busy calling for restructuring as though he has never had the opportunity to make input in leadership before now. Buhari is here today and has remained defiant to the calls for a better Nigeria. I wouldn’t want to hear him complain tomorrow when he is out of office or even suggest to any leader how Nigeria should be governed aright. It is important we set the records straight about this so-called unity in diversity.

     

    • Comrade Ifeanyi Mmoh,

    ifeanyi_mmoh@yahoo.com

  • Conoil: Nigeria’s strength lies in its diversity

    Conoil: Nigeria’s strength lies in its diversity

    Energy giant, Conoil , has enjoined Nigerians to focus more on those great qualities that bind us together as the world’s most populous black nation, and ignore the intangible things that tend to divide.

    In a goodwill message on the occasion of the country’s 57th independence anniversary, the oil major advised Nigerians to deepen their sense of patriotism to rekindle the nation’s flame of oneness and fortify its enviable position in the comity of nations.

    While urging Nigerians to continue to work assiduously towards ensuring togetherness with a view to guaranteeing a brighter future for the country, it implored them to maximize their common ideals to foster the nation’s unity despite its diversity.

     

  • Diversity, diplomacy and confederation

    It  is becoming obvious that the world as  we know it is going to change for good  or bad whether  we like it or  not.  I am  not talking about the  doomsday  gibberish, the  religion  end of the world salvation blackmail or even the big bang computer that did not   turn up  as highly predicted  in 2000. I am  saying that this world is changing before our eyes  and there is nothing that we can  do about it.  Actually   that   was what   the Change  Management    experts   were  saying when   they  said  that the concept was an  oxymoron    and  that  change    was not manageable. Well,    the  hurricanes  in  the US  and the Carribeans    have shown  that nature  can  be disastrous   and   unmanageable   even  if predictable. In  terms  of the above topic   global  change   has shown  it has no   masters  from any part of the world. I, for one have decided to enjoy the spectacle  and  I  ask    you    henceforth   to enjoy the amazing and unfolding     global  panorama    on this  page with me.

    Let  me first start   with   some sort  of anecdotes  before  unfolding the attendant masquerades. On  the world  stage North  Korea being vilified  by the US was given a podium in another nation jointly calling for restraint from the US whose president this same week said  he had  not ruled  out the military option in dealing with N Korea’s nuisance global nuclear threats  and missile  tests . In  Nigeria it took a woman  minister to bell  the cat  and set the ball  rolling for  the 2019  presidential  election. Just   as  the Yorubas  called  for a Confederation and    labeled  it Regionalism because  that sounded historical  and less pugnacious   in the pursuit  of Restructuring. Which  happens to be the latest political  digression  from the declared  war on corruption  by the Buhari  Administration   since  assuming  power  in the 2015  presidential  elections. In   the US  the  former  presidents  have come together  to support a 15.2 bn dollars   relief  fund to support  victims of the Hurricane  Harvey  that wreaked havoc in the  US  recently  to show  the American  people  that they still  care even  though they  are out of office.  They    have   shown  that   out of sight is not out of mind and that really  counts where human management and  public responsibility   matter   as it  should,  in any polity.

    Starting with  N Korea it is apparent  that no  one really  knows  how the dreadful  charade  would  end.  It would  appear  however  that  Russia  is making merry  with the American  embarrassment  over  the entire  issue for clearly malicious  if diplomatic reasons . At  an Economic  Conference  attended by N Korea’s Minister in the  Russian city  of  Vladivostok  this week, the Russian  president spoke  along side the Japanese PM Shinzo  Abe  and the S Korean  President  Moon Jae  -in  and asked   the US  not  to play into N Korea’s  hands by  putting pressure on NK    with   President   Putin   warning  that  ‘its  counterproductive  to inflate this military  hysteria, as  this leads  nowhere. ‘Which  actually   is highly skeptical  and mischievous  especially  with regard  to the company of world leaders  he was in whose nations are on the front line with  N Korea.

    Japan  has seen  N Korea shoot  missiles over its air space in violation  of international  law in recent times  and S Korea is  carrying out war games   with  US   war   planes on its border with N Korea with  live ammunition,  which N Korea   claimed  are provocative   and are  responsible  for its nuclear  threats and tests. Yet  S Korea’s  new president was elected a few months ago on a platform  of peace  but  has  no choice if the US decides on the military  option. Is  the Russian  President Putin speaking his  mind and speaking for S Korea? Does  that mean that S Korea is shifting alliance  from the US to Russia in the Korean Peninsular’s   volatile  and war prone diplomacy?   The  same questions  can  be asked of the Japanese PM present at the occasion. Moreso as the NK Minister  for External  Economic  Relations reportedly said  there that –  ‘the US should by all  means keep  in mind the nuclear status  of our country which owns nuclear and hydrogen bombs and intercontinental  ballistic  missiles‘.

    It  is apparent that the US in the absence of the military option  can  only  seek  sanctions to  call  N Korea to  order but that can only make that rogue nation more desperate and dangerous  for global  peace. In the past sanctions  have given way to economic aid in the time of the grandfather  and father   of the present youthful NK leader. But  he  has shown he is a different and implacable  proposition as a leader. Just  as the Americans  and their European  and Pacific allies  have discovered  that they  have an equally unexpected  proposition as the leader of the American  people to contend with in global  diplomacy   and international  relations.  More  ominously  for the US  and  its allies is the fact that the new US  president is at war  with the molders of public  opinion  in the US and that is affecting his  conduct  of foreign  policy  and diplomacy.  President   Donald  Trump  has had  to play  to  the gallery  in dealing with both domestic  politics and international  issues  and nowhere  was that more apparent than in the way  he calmly  told  the  press  that the military option  was not ruled out in N Korea.  He  has  labeled the CNN as  fake news  and has   thus  murdered sleep   in the  news media  estimate  and like Macbeth  in Shakespeare’s  play, he will  not sleep  again.  Not  on Russia, and  definitely  not on NK. And  the issues  involved  will  not be appraised dispassionately  as required in both diplomacy and politics at  home and abroad in the US  because  both the US media  and their president  are  looking at issues  with jaundiced  eyes  filled with mutual  hatred  and  sheer  hatred for each  other. This  has created the unusual  political effect  and decision  of the new US President to start  campaigning  for  reelection  in four  years  time  because  he felt his fight  with the media can  only be sustained   by  the tweet  technology  that brought him  political  fame  and power  and he needs  the rhetoric  of election  campaign.   This    is   to  enable   him  face a press  out to get him on Russian meddling  in 2016 US elections by  denting his legitimacy  in the pursuit  of that goal. In  all  these  American  diversity as a nation  of migrants, its diplomacy  and much  vaunted  political  culture   of free speech  and human  rights  are being  sorely  tested  while the world  worries  on the results.  Meanwhile  the Russian  leader  puts  spanners  in the works  for  a  US  that has put Russia  under   economic  sanctions    for  various  transgressions  of International  law especially  in  Ukraine and   quite   recently  for  hacking US  presidential  elections. Surely  the end is far from  being in sight and  the future   is most  unpredictable   for the US  and  its  new unconventional   president.

    In Nigeria the next  presidential  election  is slated  for 2019  but  a cabinet  Minister  has set  the ball  rolling  by   declaring that  she would support  another  undeclared  candidate  other  than the incumbent president whose  appointment  she is still  enjoying. The  Minister  is Aisha  Alhassan, Nigeria’s  Minister  for  Women  Affairs and  Social  Development who  said  there  was no going back on her announcement to support former Vice  President Atiku  Abubakar  in the 2019  presidential  election. Let  me   say   here    that   I doff  my hat to the lady  for  her bravery  and bluntness. She  said the president told her that he would only  go  for one  term  of office  and he expects him  to keep  his word. Well, the president is not dead  and can put the records straight  and  do  the needful. But  this gallant lady  has dared  the lion  in its den  and is still  a Minister. She  reminds me in terms of audacity of the president’s  wife who  cried  foul  that her husband  has been  surrounded by strangers  and that people  who did not campaign with him  are  being given important  political  appointments.

    It  appears  that in Nigeria it is only  women  politicians  who  have  the balls  to  speak obvious  political  truths which  the men  have lost the balls or guts  to say out  on important issues.  I  remember  the play  Aikin Mata  which I took part in at  the Great  Ife  whose  title means’ Women At Arms  ‘directed by former  Kwara  State  Governor  Cornelius Adebayo and  his  colleague,  now  a famous  professor. Indeed Nigerian  women  are  at arms  and they  cannot  be kept in the kitchen  for much  longer.  Certainly   Aisha  Alhassan   has blazed  a trail  like  our  First  Lady  and  I   commend  both  sincerely   for speaking their mind and    walking   gingerly    where  angels  fear     to tread.

    Finally  the Yorubas   have met in Ibadan  their former regional  government    capital  and asked  for  a return to regional  government along  the line of the 1960  and  1963  constitutions.  The   Yorubas always know what  they  wanted  but have  not been  able to get  it,    and  that  is leading Nigeria  from the front seat  since  they  think  education  their  main ethnic  talent  makes  them  capable of doing this  . Yet  they  lag  behind in modern Nigeria power  politics  because their  only   leader, the sage Obafemi  Awolowo  wanted  them  to lead  a bigger  Nigeria than that of Nkrumah’s  Ghana  and  did  not leave the contraption called Nigeria  when  the   West   had self –  government in 1958. Now  in 2017  Yorubas  are  calling for a Regional  government  but  are making the claim  for  a Confederation  and  I  feel  that is not brave enough . What  is wrong with a Confederation if  we must restructure?   That  is the  big ‘bold question  to  be asked  and Yoruba  leaders  should seize the bull  by the horn  and put the question  on the table  once  and for  all  for  consideration by the  Nigerian  polity.  We  do not need another Moremi  from  Ife  to  unravel  us from  the forced  marriage of  1914   and the  military command structure  that  has served Nigeria  so  lopsidedly   as  a  slip   shod  federation  since  1960,   purely   to  the benefit  of those ‘born  to rule‘  in their  very  mistaken  estimation. Once  again  long live the Federal  Republic  of Nigeria.

  • Unity in diversity

    Unity in diversity

    Despite the security challenges in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) came alive with students showcasing their culture at the Nativity Night, a yearly cultural fiesta with the theme: Unity in diversity. TAIWO ISOLA (300-Level Human Anatomy) reports.

    For most part of the day, it threatened to rain but the students were not bothered. They turned out in beautiful attires and flocked to the Ecumenical Centre for the event. It was the Nativity Night of the Redeemed Christian Fellowship (RCF) at the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID). The theme was: Unity in diversity.

    From the hostel to the venue, the fellowship members entertained their colleagues with their sense of cultural fashion. The campus was literally enveloped in the feast of culture. It was the biggest cultural fiesta to be held on the campus despite the security challenges battling the Borno State capital.

    The event brought students from various ethnic groups together to celebrate their cultural heritage.

    Each group was  dressed in its cultural attire.Representatives of Yoruba were beautifully dressed in Aso Ofi, agbada (flowing gown) with Abeti Aja caps to match.

    The Igbo representatives  sparkled in their Ankara robes, beads and walking sticks. The Hausa members displayed their Babanriga and native caps, while the Ijaws wore their hats with pride . The Kanuri, Tiv, Igala, Fulani and Ibibio were not left out.

    Each group showcased its cultural elements such as beads, calabashes and baskets during their stage performance.

    The students danced round the campus before meeting at the exhibition venue, where foods, clothes and many various totems of the participating ethnic groups were displayed. The drama group of the RCF entertained the guests with their play, which they said was to promote unity, peace and love among students.

    The participants and the guests relished the local delicacies serve.  A student described the event as celebration of Nigeria and not a particular ethnic nationality.

    The fellowship troupe and some campus artistes performed cultural dance, drawing applause from the audience.

    Seun Igotun, one of the attendees, said the event added value to his life by helping him learn how to relate with people of different cultural backgrounds. “I have eaten three traditional foods from three ethnic groups. This really shows that, what we need in this country is love and unity. Why should we be fighting ourselves? We are all people of the same root.”

    While speaking on the theme, the RCF president, Henry Emmanuel, said: “The purpose of the event is to foster unity irrespective of our cultural backgrounds. All ethnic groups represented here today are allowed to show their heritage. We are out to encourage the youth to do away with primordial feeling of hostilities towards people who don’t speak their languages.”

    He added that the security challenges in Maiduguri would not dampen the fellowship’s determination to promote unity among students. Thousands of students were in attendance, indicating students looked forward to it.

    A Hausa student, Halima Galadima, who could not conceal her excitement during the Arewa cultural display, said: “I am very happy today. I feel at home once again. I interacted freely and learnt new things about other tribes and their culture.”