The Nation Newspaper

Tag: national

  • Time for Transitional National Government?

    SIR: Without prejudice to the contributions of President Goodluck Jonathan administration to the nation’s development especially in key sectors like agriculture, power, aviation, water resources and transportation, there is the urgent need for inauguration of a Transitional National Government to stabilize the ship of the nation that has been facing high turbulence of security challenges and social unrests especially in the last two to three years. The present administration no doubt has tried its best possible to curtail the situation, but the desired results are not forth-coming. It is either the government lacks the capacity needed to confront the challenges and sanitize the system or its efforts are being undermined by the activities of the fifth columnists or saboteurs for their own selfish reasons.

    Whatever may be responsible for the retardation or retrogression into a pariah state, all hands must be on the deck to avoid a shipwreck. The TNG should be headed by a man of high-integrity who fears God and selfless and who really loves this country. Having a military background may be an added advantage. He and members of his cabinet on this national assignment should see their appointments as a call to duty or to rescue mission so to say, and not an opportunity to corruptly enrich themselves. If need be, they should be placed on stipends. The members should be men and women who have made their marks in their respective callings or disciplines. They do not have to be old fellows. Energetic and visionary youths whom their respective constituencies can vouch for, can be part of this Rescue Mission Team called Transitional National Government (TNG) whose tenure should be 12 calendar months with the possibility of an extension which should not be more than 3 – 6 months.

    This is one of the credible political options open to this country lest we descend into a state of anarchy.

     

    • Gbemiga Olakunle, JP

    General Secretary

    National Prayer Movement

  • National security and leadership style

    For obvious reasons, and due to the myriad of security challenges confronting the Nigerian nation, there is a mistaken trend that perhaps the best leader to infuse discipline and engender national security is a man or woman with a military mien, a person who can order people around. In short, a fearsome leader, or a Draconian despot, that forces people to cower under his breath and at whose command the endemic corruption that has perennially plagued the country would just fly away. These thoughts cannot but be naive; it’s like a man who thinks his wishes are horses.

    But why do Nigerians seem to embrace this erroneous and troubling notion that their security or safety lies in the hands of a so-called “No-Nonsense” leader? The reasons are both historical and contemporary. First, the governance history of Nigeria since independence in 1960 has been burdened by incompetent administrations and blighted by series of interventionist military coup d’états, the consequence of which has brutally militarised the collective psyche of the citizenry. This makes people to believe, albeit wrongly, that it is only the man in uniform or his retired clone that is capable of re-ordering and re-orientating the Nigerian people. So, let us seek another Praetorian guard to carry out a surgical operation for us, many people seem to be saying this time around!

    But history again, even from the Nigerian example, has fatally faulted this line of reasoning. It is incontrovertible that such an approach does not endure in instituting desired changes; its success is short-lived as it is enforced through coercive decrees, cruel, unjust and inhuman adjudication process. Human nature abhors oppression in any form.

    The second contemporary factor why many citizens thirst for a dictator, even though he is in a fake democratic garb, is multi-faceted. One major reason is undoubtedly attributable to the agonisingly embarrassing failure of the incumbent administration to frontally confront the numerous security and safety issues Nigerians face on daily basis. Some of these are a breakdown of the law and order system, impunity and rampant lawlessness by both high and low, increasing rates of crimes, kidnappings for ransom, abductions, bloody skirmishes and tensions between rival ethnic groups across large swath of the nation, and the unspeakable crimes being routinely committed by the murderous terrorist insurgents called Boko Haram.

    This ad infinitum list of security failures has justifiably made people to lose faith in the capacity of the current, clueless administration to carry out its first constitutional responsibility of  protecting lives and property of the citizenry. The tendency therefore is to seek out a man who as they say, “brooks no nonsense and tolerates no opposition.”  But that will only compound the present security dilemma of Nigeria as the issue of sustainable national security is not achievable by fiat or by electing a ruthless leader with the swagger stick.

    Issues of national security in modern times transcends merely installing a regime of local diktat; it involves building a nexus of collaborative military, paramilitary and civil  institutions, and the gathering and sharing of national and cross-border intelligence to enhance safety and health of the nation and its citizens. Most importantly, modern concept of national security is largely anchored on the economic well-being of a nation, while the military-industrial complex plays complementary but also vital role in the scheme of sustainable peace and tranquility in any country. In other words, the economic indicators determine to a large extent the level of peace and stability enjoyed by the citizenry.

    It is inarguable; therefore, that the major plank in any nation’s security platform is its economy. A nation’s security can only be enhanced when its labor force, especially its youth, are gainfully employed, and there is a creation of welfare schemes to serve as safety nets to those unable to work or are physically challenged. This is what is operational in advanced, and young, stable democracies all over the world. It is a universal fact that when people are gainfully engaged they have less or no time for brewing trouble. But the idle hand is the devil’s workshop.

    Also, modern thoughts and practices have since discountenanced the traditional notion that national security is limited to acquisition and warehousing of huge military hardware; neither is it just about displaying formidable military force nor traditional military activity though all these may be included in the overall security architecture of a nation. It is essential to know however that development is nowadays sine qua non to any nation’s security.

    Development in this context relates to the capacity of a nation to utilise its human and capital potentials to optimally provide opportunities for its citizens to dream and realise those desires in a conducive and well-structured environment. It is when this is achieved consistently over a period of time or on a sustainable basis that the society experiences noticeable decline in disorder and violence and its security is subsequently and correspondingly enhanced. This holistic approach to national security has been the view of a one-time, but now late, respected President of the World Bank, Robert McNamara.

    In addition to the above, other means of boosting national security and arresting the current breakdown of law and order and the rule of law in the country are running a truly federal system of government where much power is devolved to the states, including the power to create state police. This means additional job opportunities and enhanced capacity to institute community policing to fight crimes, especially at local levels.

    National security could be further enhanced through proper delineation of national, state and council boundaries to reduce communal clashes and needless inter and intra-ethnic tensions; to properly equip and train the police to fight crimes and internal disorder while the military should be well-funded and equipped to effectively dismantle and destroy the scourge of terrorism in the country

    In conclusion, it is obvious from the above that a democratic Nigeria of the 21st century really doesn’t need an Orwellian Napoleon,  who is always right and must be obeyed. This is a federal democracy that is fostered through healthy debates, dialogues and discourse. It is not a command economy or unitary state that responds to the dictates, decrees and is ruled by whims and caprices of a single strong person, no matter how Spartan in stuff.  That era is passé.

    Citizens are therefore enjoined in a nascent democracy like ours to be wary of politicians seeking their votes for the highest office in the land to know that what Nigeria mostly need at this time is not the emergence of a leader who rules by bravado, or creates hysteria among citizens but a well-groomed and well-grilled democrat, whose policy  agenda is similar to the template above, and whose antecedents are well known as someone who is a bridge builder and is committed to strengthen the nation’s fragile key institutions.

     

    – Dr. Segun Olanipekun is Associate Professor of Journalism, Warwick University, DC, U.S.

  • NSCDC, OTHERS MAKE GRAND FINALE OF NTTF NATIONAL LEAGUE

    NSCDC, OTHERS MAKE GRAND FINALE OF NTTF NATIONAL LEAGUE

    Despite not starting well in the competition, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) yesterday led seven other teams to the grand finale of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) national league.

    Already the four finalists in the women event have been emerged with Union Bank Sports Club leading three others to the finale holding tomorrow at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium.

    In the men’s category, NSCDC inspired by Kazeem Makanjuola and Ganiyu Ashimiyu re-enacted their form to maintain their 100% record in the tournament.

    After a slip to Union Maritime in their third game, the side won all their matches to remain on top of the log table. A confident Ashimiyu told  SportingLife yesterday that despite the difficulty the team faced early in the competition, nothing could stop them from clinching the title.

    “When we started it was difficult for me to adjust to the new ball and when we picked up, we became unstoppable and with this form, we are good for the title come Friday. There is no doubt that the league has brought out the best in all the teams and from what I witnessed there was no easy team to beat even the cadet players that featured in the league,” he boasted.

    Other teams that will join NSCDC in the top eight grand finale are Union Bank Team One, G-20, Springfresh Team One, Sunshine Team One, Union Maritime as well as IAR&T.

    Meanwhile, assistant referee of the championship, Ranti Olajide admitted that the tournament has been an eye-opener especially for the players and umpires. “This is the first time that this Olympic system will be administered by the umpires in the country. At the initial stage, it was a bit difficult for the umpires and players but after a few days, they started getting it right. We have about 20 umpires handling proceedings in the tournament and for us, we have trained and exposed this set of umpires to the new system which will be helpful during the National Sports Festival. Also it is very important for our players to also get used to the system because that is the style that will be used at the next All Africa Games,” the International Umpire said.

  • Shun national convention, LP tells members

    Shun national convention, LP tells members

    The national leadership of the Labour Party (LP) yesterday warned members, particularly those seeking elective offices, to be wary of the planned national convention of the LP slated for this Friday in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

    The party alleged that the convention is being sponsored by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to collapse LP nationwide and railroad members into its (PDP’s) fold with the connivance of Governor Olusegun Mimiko.

     

  • Still on the 2014 National Honours

    As President Goodluck Jonathan handed out about 306 awards at the 2014 National Honours Award Ceremony in Abuja last week, critical newspaper editorials and other comments trailed the process of selection of recipients.

    Yet, this year’s national honours award was significant in many respects. Unlike in the past when the list of awardees was dominated by politicians and cronies of the powers that be, the President appears to have reacted to criticisms by elevating merit and honest service to fatherland as the main criteria for receiving the national honours.

    Although politicians appear to still have good numbers on the award list, this year’s national honours award is very remarkable because many of those whose names ought to be on the list were actually honoured. From pro-democracy and civil rights activists to opposition politicians; from wealthy and successful businessmen and women to an honest taxi driver and steadfast steward; from our gallant ambassadors in sports to trailblazing entertainers, an appreciative country said “thank you” to deserving citizens who had first brought honour and pride to our nation.

    Joe Okei-Odumakin who led the nationwide protest against the withdrawal of petroleum subsidy that nearly brought down Jonathan’s government, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, chairman of the All Progressives Congress, the main opposition working to upstage the PDP government, Kenneth Nnebue, the acclaimed founder of the money spinning entertainment industry, Nollywood, Blessing Okagbare, the sprint queen who has caused our national anthem to be heard on different podiums across the world, are among many other deserving awardees.

    The high point was the honouring of three very distinguished citizens – in their own right.  First is the 77-year-old Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi who designed the national flag who was honoured with the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic, OFR. That past administrations had continually overlooked the man who gave us a national symbol for over five decades after independence is a strong comment on our reward system and the low premium we had placed on national service.

    As if to add an icing on the cake, President Jonathan showed his compassionate side by placing the flag designer on the salary of Special Assistant to the President, for life.  Now, who can fathom any reason why Pa Akinkunmi even in his old age would not be ready to die for his country?

    As with Pa Akinkunmi, President Jonathan also honoured a longstanding steward in the presidential villa, Onuh Isaac Michael. Michael, we are told, has served nine presidents and perhaps more than nine first ladies, right from former President Shehu Shagari. The story of the diligence and sacrifice of this steward who it was said does not catch more than four hours of sleep everyday just to commute from Nasarawa State where he could afford an accommodation to his duty post in Aso Villa, in the heart of the city, is moving.

    It is also good advertisement for the national honours award this year that a mere but dutiful traffic warden, Solomon Dauda, who does his job with animated passion and admirable spirit was spotted and honoured with the Member of the Order of the Niger, and a house for good measure as well. The recognition of this enigmatic officer will continually be a source of inspiration and encouragement to other citizens who might think that the services they provide and the effort they put in are unnoticed and inconsequential to national growth.

    But by far the most deserving of all the recipients of the national honours on the day was Citizen Imeh Usuah, a taxi driver who took pains to trace and return to his passenger N18 Million that he forgot in his cab.  In a country badly labelled as corrupt, this taxi driver’s conduct is not only exemplary and edifying but also a refreshing reminder of the pristine values on which our country was erected by the founding fathers.

    •Francis Ehigiator,

    Benin City.

  • National honours for Dedevbo, Oshoala

    National honours for Dedevbo, Oshoala

    • Falconets’ captain, Eaglets’ coaches too
    • The Nation man Morakinyo Abodunrin on the list

    Nigeria’s Under-20 Women’s National Team Coach, Peter Dedevbo, who led the Falconets to second place at last month’s 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Canada, has been listed for national honour by the federal government.

    The list obtained by NationSport on Thursday was signed by Dr. Tunde Adeyemo, a director at the Special Duties Office on behalf of the Secretary to the Federal Government, Anyim Pius Anyim and has been approved by President Goodluck Jonathan.

    The awardees cut across every sector of the national economy with the sporting fraternity accounting for 39 recipients who include FIFA golden girl, Asisat Oshoala, Falconets’ captain, Patience Okaeme and Commonwealth gold medalists, Blessing Okagbare and Ese Brume. They will be joined by other Commonwealth gold medalists that brought honour to the country at the Glasgow Games in July.

    Dedevbo is to be conferred with the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) at a ceremony billed for September 29 at the International Conference Centre in Abuja.

    The Falconets coach owes his breakthrough in the round leather game to Moncton, a city in Canada where the girls qualified for the final of the tournament which they lost to Germany.

    Assistant coaches of the U-17 national team, Emmanuel Amuneke, Emeka Amadi and Nduka Ugbade who won the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Dubai, will join Dedevbo on the podium. Both players and backroom staff of the U-17 national team which includes the team’s media officer, Morakinyo Abodunrin, who is also an Assistant Editor in The Nation Newspaper, are also recipients.

    Surprisingly, the name of embattled President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Aminu Maigari, who has been credited with the successes of the national teams in recent years, was conspicuously missing.

  • Lagos and the national economy

    With a population of 21million, Lagos, Nigeria’s economic nerve centre, is one of the world’s largest cities. The population is rising faster than many experts and government officials would seem to appreciate. Many people fleeing from the North-east part in the wake of the Boko Haram insurrection are headed for Lagos. When kidnappers overwhelmed Rivers and Bayelsa states some six years ago, many from these places, including oil firms, fled to Lagos. When the security situation in the South-east became unbearable about three years ago, many relocated to Lagos; among them was the chief executive of ABC Transport.

    Lagos remains Nigeria’s melting pot, long after the federal administration moved to Abuja, because of the traditional liberal disposition of the people and, more importantly, the outstanding achievements of Governor Babatunde Fashola who is easily the most important revelation of Nigeria’s current democracy. His security system is incomparable. Violent crime is at an all-time low, despite the awful employment situation in the country and the nation’s growing misery index. The favourable economic environment in Lagos has seen the state’s economic landscape change constantly. Alas, the state’s strength is also its weakness as all manners of people not only from all parts of Nigeria but also neighbouring countries troop to Lagos in their thousands daily in search of physical and economic security. How can the state government provide adequate employment, adequate housing, adequate transportation, adequate electricity, roads, adequate schools, adequate healthcare facilities, adequate food, etc, to 21million people and still counting?

    Lagos is blessed to have as its governor a person imbued with what researchers in contemporary management science call a double loop mindset, that is, someone with a concrete vision of how to change the situation drastically because the current palliative or adaptive way is grossly inadequate to grapple with the enormous challenges. A few days ago, Governor Fashola went on an inspection of some capital projects financed with facilities from the international capital markets. The capital intensive projects include the 70-kilometre Mile 2—Badagry Expressway, a federal highway which terminates at the border with Benin Republic. The road, which used to have four lanes, is being expanded to 10 lanes. Also being expanded is the Mile 12—Ikorodu Road. The state of the art light rail on a very long bridge which criss-crosses parts of the state with the greatest population density will be completed within 12 months. These and some other projects like the brand new jetties connecting Badore, Ikoyi and Ikorodu, complete with modern water taxis, have been delayed by numerous legal actions over the right of way and compensation payment. Lagos is full of social activists who at the drop of a hat would head for the courts.

    Facilities for these huge projects have been provided because of the impressive credit rating which the state enjoys around the world. It is currently BB- with a positive outlook.  Lagos is the only state, otherwise called sub national government, which enjoys such a reputation in Africa. The other two sub national governments are in India and Brazil, two federations which make the list of BRIC nations, that is, four emerging nations whose rapid rise will take the world by storm in the next few years.

    As a Nigerian, one is filled with pride over the judicious use to which the Lagos State government has put the money from international lenders. But as someone from the South-east, I must confess I am filled with envy. The old Anambra State government, with the assistance of Dr Chu Okongwu when he was the Finance Minister, negotiated a $110m loan from the African Development Bank for rural electrification, rural water supply and for the establishment of an industrial development centre in Awka. The mouth-watering contracts were awarded to Arthur Eze’s Triax and Kings Engineering firms, which abandoned the jobs no sooner than they were started. About the same time, Prince Eze became chairman of Premier Breweries in Onitsha, the nation’s third biggest brewery after Nigeria Breweries and Guinness Breweries in Lagos. On Eze’s watch, Premier Brewery was closed down. And about the same time, Eze became chairman of Orient Bank, and ran the bank in such a way that made the Central Bank of Nigeria during the time of Paul Ogwuma as governor issue a circular banning him from ever being on the board of any bank. Last year, Arthur Eze was rewarded with a high national honour by President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Back to the international credit facility to the Lagos State government for the reengineering of the state. True, Lagos does obtain considerable revenue from internal sources which are collectively higher than the monthly allocations from the federation account. But the revenues come in trickles from the payment of drivers’ licences, tenement rates, land use charges, etc. therefore, it makes sound economic and management sense to borrow substantial amounts for the huge projects and pay back the loans at an agreed interval of, say, every month from both the internally generated revenue and the monthly allocations from the federation account. What is important is the efficient management of the sources of the revenue and the end to which the resources are put at the end of the day. The Lagos State government has done pretty well in this area.

    It is a pity that Lagos State has taken over many economic challenges of the country. Most other economic centres in the country have since collapsed. Sully Abu, a founding member of The Guardian editorial board, once called national attention to the fact that up to the 1980s our northern brothers and sisters used to shun the suggestion to live or work in Lagos because they had alternatives in their own cities. But with the collapse of industries in Kano, Kaduna and elsewhere, they found themselves flocking to Lagos. The same thing can be said about other parts of Nigeria. I used to consider Lagos too rough. But with the collapse of Nigercem, Nigergas, Nigersteel, Premier Breweries, Aba Textile, Golden Guinea Brewery, Sunrise flour mill, AVOP oil, Anammco and others too numerous to mention, I just had to leave the South-east. As a professional, I didn’t want to be underemployed. Like most of those with whom I grew up in Enugu, Lagos is our new base because of the immense economic and business opportunities available in the nation’s commercial capital. The federal government has to realize that Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt should not be the only places with opportunities. It should, therefore, take measures to open up other parts.  We had thought that the nation’s six zones should be promoted as centres of socio-economic development, but unfortunately our prebendal politicians have turned the six zonal structure into a deadly instrument for sectional politics and private business gains. Nigeria’s political leaders should borrow a leaf from Governor Fashola on how to run a modern political entity in the 21st century. Lagos is driving the national economy effectively.

    • Dr Uchendu is CEO of a management consulting firm in Lekki, Lagos.

  • Using ICT for national development

    SIR: Nigeria, like most developing nations, has come to recognize the importance of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as a catalyst for sustainable socio-economic development. This recognition is well captured in the National Development Plan – Nigeria’s Vision 20:2020: “The increasing globalization driven by ICT makes it imperative for Nigeria as an emerging market to irreversibly consider the application and promotion of ICT strategy to facilitate its rapid growth and development. This will involve the development of a vibrant ICT sector to drive and expand the national production frontiers in agriculture, manufacturing and service sectors. It would also require the application of the new knowledge to drive other soft sectors: governance, entertainments, public services, media sector, tourism, et cetera.”

    This is the way to go! However, Nigeria is not going to get the full potential benefit of ICT until we change our ways.

    Although there are mobile communication devices to suit every pocket nowadays, the tariffs being charged by the telecom operators are still on the high side. And what’s more, the poor quality of service remains a thorn in our flesh. They told us to talk the talk, and now we’re talking everywhere we go. But if we must talk and talk we should at least get value for our money. We are tired of carrying two or three mobile phones as if that’s the way to glow with pride.

    The National Identity Management Commission recently launched the long awaited National Identity (e-ID) Card scheme. We hope they get it right this time around.

    We are a people who hate change. Ironically, Nigerians actually like change to the extent that it suits their personal interests. They can’t wait to own the latest electronic gadgets but electronic voting can wait forever. On this side of the digital divide, whatever would help promote the transparency and efficiency of government institutions and processes hardly stands a chance.

    Conventional wisdom has it that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Therefore, there is need to align the public service with the private sector to allow for a smooth transition to a vibrant digital economy. As of today, most MDAs do not have working ICT structure. As one of its strategies for success, the ICT Ministry ought to push for the creation of ICT Department in every government parastatal. This would help provide an interface necessary for effective implementation of policies aimed at maximizing the levering potential of ICT for national development.

    Similarly, the dearth of IT experts in our public institutions doesn’t help matters. This has created a vacuum currently being filled by non-IT personnel, and exploited by private business partners alike, resulting in misplaced priorities, poor value-for-money solutions, and tasteless service delivery..

    Nigeria needs to leverage its investment in ICT to gain a significant competitive advantage in the rapidly changing global economy. As a way forward, government should provide security; expand national infrastructure such as power and broadband; encourage private sector investment in the ICT industry; deploy and ensure full utilization of ICT infrastructure on all fronts – Education, Health, Agriculture, Oil & Gas, et cetera.

    If we are serious about becoming one of the world’s leading economies in this age then we must realize that ICT is not a “nice to have” asset but a sine qua non for transforming Nigeria into a knowledge economy.

    • John Adebisi,

    Abuja

  • Govt restructures national productivity system

    Govt restructures national productivity system

    The Federal Government is set to restructure the country’s national productivity system in order to evaluate resources invested in the economy and ensure maximum performance and service delivery.

    The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Clement Iloh disclosed who spoke in Abuja at a workshop themed: “Implementing National Policy on Productivity and Basic productivity Improvement Techniques in Workplaces”, said the workshop was aimed at improving productivity in the country.

    He said measures were being put in place to develop and apply strategies for implementation of the national policy on productivity.

    According to Iloh,  productivity improvement tools and techniques are critical instruments for the realisation of government’s transformation agenda in innovation, excellence at work, global competiveness, products and quality services delivery. He expressed concern that for over  two decades the level of national productivity particularly labour productivity, has been on the decline.

    “Furthermore, government’s efforts at enhancing productivity have not yielded the desired impact due to low performance resulting from the low capacity of officers charged with responsibility to handle productivity improvement matters,” he said, urging participants to maximise the benefits of the workshop by acquiring knowledge, skill and competence on productivity measurement and improvement techniques for application in workplaces.

  • Clerics to hold national peace convention

    Clerics of the Christ Apostolic Church, Mountain of Mercy will use this year’s annual convention to pray for the nation’s peace and stability.

    In a statement at the weekend by the conveners and officiating ministers, Pastors Sam Olu Alo, Amos Ojo and Peter Ilesanmi, in Ado-Ekiti, the clerics urged Nigerians to commit their affairs in God’s hand to enable the nation surmount its challenges.

    The convention, with the theme: Anointing for Divine Favour, will begin at Erio Ekiti Mountain of Mercy, on September 17.

    Pastor Alo was optimism that God would turn around the fortunes of Nigeria and its citizens, “if we rely on Him as the ruler of all nations”.

    The cleric said Nigeria would overcome its challenges and come out stronger as a more united and peaceful country.

    He said: “I know that God is the ruler of all nations and this is the time for Him to intervene in our affairs, like he did for the Israelites in the wilderness. But He can only do this if we pray fervently in His name. So, this is a unique opportunity to come closer to God in prayers.”

    Pastor Alo said the programme would complement the church’s monthly prayers in Ondo and Ekiti states for sustained peaceful co-existence among the diverse ethnic groups in the country.

    Popular gospel singers, including Evangelists David Babayomi, Glorious Adebayo, Oluwaseun Ologun and Obagbemisoye Anike, are expected at the event.