The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigeria

  • Nigeria, 22 others benefit from China access to satellite TV

    Nigeria, 22 others benefit from China access to satellite TV

    No fewer than  23 countries, including Nigeria have benefitted from the Chinese “Access to Satellite TV, The Nation learnt.

     Chinese President, Xi Jinping, announced the programme at the   Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

     The initiative which is being championed by StarTimes, the leading digit-TV operator in Africa is meant to  bridge the digital divide between urban and rural areas in Africa.

    According to a document by the Chinese Embassy in Abuja, the project is tagged “Access to Satellite TV for 10,000 African Villages.”

    Read Also: Nigeria, 22 others benefit from China access to satellite TV

    The document further revealed that “there shall be 10,112 rural villages of 23 African countries benefiting from the project. Each village is aided with two StarTimes Projector TVs, one 32 inch Digital TV set, and 20 DTH decoders with satellite dishes. Projector TVs and Digital TV sets are equipped with solar power systems and DTH access units. The Projector TVs and Digital TVs set are available in the public area of the village, like school or youth development committee, which allows all villagers to enjoy the wonderful digital TV programs of 20 channels including the national station, local channels and international channels.

    “The “Access to Satellite TV for 10,000 African Villages” project has established a wide coverage of programme signals, a secure and reliable infrastructure network and a comprehensive operating system, enabling people in remote areas to have stable and long-term access to the world’s information, thus bridging the digital divide between urban and rural areas in Africa.”

  • Nigeria at 63

    Nigeria at 63

    On October 1, 1960, the future of Nigeria looked bright. Many world leaders anticipated a progression towards the emergence of an African giant, a medium-ranking global power that would be sustained by steady economic growth, political stability, military prowess, and technological breakthroughs.

    The population has remained huge, signifying a big market, resilient manpower, and a colourful blend of cultures. Besides the vital human capital, also exemplified by the quality of population, Nigeria is blessed with a limitless endowment, including the typical black gold – oil – and a large land mass filled with enumerable mineral deposits and arable ground.

    However, 63 years after independence, the vision of the founding fathers is yet to be fully realised. While it cannot be said that the country has been static, the progress made, compared to other nations that were on the same pedestal as Nigeria six decades ago, falls below expectations.

    To many observers, the national tribulation attests to the failure of indigenous leadership.

    Nigeria has expanded structures for function performance at federal, state and local levels, but service delivery has been dismal. State and local government creation may have given hope for a redress of inequality and identity problems, but the lopsided distribution in the polity has also triggered agitation for equity and balance. As it turned out, the exercise only offered the elite access to public resources and monopoly by a few.

    Also, there is a wide gulf in the country’s democratising experience. Nigeria has achieved self-rule. But democracy ought to be the destination to redress injustice and restore rights, ensure equity and fairness to all.

    When elections remain a nightmare and the battle often shifts from the ballot box to the court, the discerning is left wondering what democracy truly represents in this clime. The nation’s blind rush for power acquisition is driven by the lure in the corridor of power and the perception that it holds limitless privileges and uninhibited personal acquisitions.

    The country is grappling with weak institutions, a trend that has strengthened the overbearing influence of power barons who monopolised and personalised power, even in the first two decades of the Fourth Republic.

     From a country of three, and later, four regions, there is now a 36-state structure with little bearing on the quality of living. The paradox of a rich country with poor people is confounding.

    From few schools at independence, the country now boasts over 170 universities belonging to federal, state, and private operators. Many of the public schools are now underfunded. Whereas the acquisition of education should be fundamental for all citizens, it has now been so commercialised that getting its basics is like a camel passing through the eye of the needle.

    Even after acquiring it through thick and thin, the job market has become so saturated that thousands of graduates struggle daily to find just any job. In the end, they run away from their land of birth which is ill-prepared to offer them the means to fend for themselves.  

    Many undergraduates live in perpetual fear of what life holds for them after their academic pursuits.

    Today, many youths have lost confidence in their country. They are eager to migrate to Europe or America or anywhere else in search of real and imagined greener pastures. Many of them do not hope to return.

    Nigeria survived the threats of disintegration, particularly the civil war foisted on it by parasitic interlopers, the soldiers of fortune who loomed large on the polity for 29 years. But, their legacies have remained a factor in retrogression.

    The nation’s industrialisation is signposted by abandoned projects. The manufacturing sub-sector is on its knees. Gone are the giant firms and industries of old that generated jobs and produced great technocrats. They have been converted to commercialised churches.

    Nigeria laments the foreign exchange debacle, but it loathes productivity. It has become a country of imports with attendant capital flights.

    The country has not lived up to its role as a model for Africa. Although it has not become a failed state, Nigeria has become an obviously fragile entity. There are danger signals in every region. The national fragility is potentially a stepping stone to state failure.

    As Nigeria celebrates its flag independence, Labour, in its war-mongering approach, is planning a strike to protest the high cost of living triggered by the inevitable removal of fuel subsidies. The subsidy removal is not the problem. The issue is that the sixth-largest producer of oil in the world does not have a functioning refinery.

    Crude is exported. It is meant to bring in revenue and refined products. But the by-products or petrochemicals are lost in inexplicable circumstances. The proceeds are said to be used to import refined fuel for home consumption. In most cases, the revenue and the products always throw up controversies. Given the number of barrels produced daily, a huge revenue is expected to accrue therefrom. But the nation’s sales account has always been hidden in mystery. It is laughable.

    This rich country is in pain. Its oil is supposed to be a blessing. However, due to mismanagement, it has become a curse. The natural resource is domiciled in a region. Ironically, the zone is in penury. The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), which was established to fast-track development in the oil-bearing region has become a bastion of graft, where the steal-and-go mentality rules the minds of the agency’s handlers. Perhaps, it will turn a new leaf under the current administration.

    Life expectancy has dropped abysmally in Nigeria. Basic amenities, including potable water, electricity, medical facilities, and roads, are in disrepair. The only prosperous people are those who have been in government, cornered state power and appropriated public resources. This is the reason many analysts have described Nigeria as a big contract up for grabs.

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    What has Nigeria learnt from Asian countries, including India, Singapore and Malaysia? They have left Nigeria behind in the march towards development. Although they are not more endowed than Nigeria, they became the Asian Tigers because they had good leadership.

    Across the six geo-political zones, there is no peace. There are security challenges: terrorism, banditry, herder/farmer clashes and unprovoked violence in the North; kidnappings, ritual murders and Yahoo Plus in the West, as well as the unknown gunmen that are always on the prowl in the East.

    In Nigeria, the state is the corrupter of society. The military milked Nigeria without challenge. Civilian authorities also deepened the culture of graft and sleaze among public officeholders, despite prosecution by anti-graft bodies.

    It has been a tortuous journey since 1914. Colonialism was devoid of benevolence. The colony wobbled in the course of its problematic journey to a difficult future.

    At independence, Nigeria was a country of many rival and competing people struggling for relevance. It could not become a nation, but a complex and highly heterogeneous nation-state in coerced cohabitation. The ray of hope was the subscription to federalism by the leaders who sought to build on the foundation laid by the colonial masters.

    The three premiers tried to lay examples of transformational leadership in the Western, Eastern and Northern regions. But, deep-seated rivalry, mutual suspicion and bitter competition for power at the centre upset the polity. The nationalist politicians – Zik, Sardauna, Balewa and Awo – despite their pioneering efforts, refused to play politics of tolerance, accommodation and understanding.

    The 1966 military coup that followed unleashed monumemtal disasters. It deepened the distrust and suspicion among the unequal regions. Legitimate authorities gave way to dictatorial leadership. To whom were the soldiers accountable? Surely, they were not answerable to the “bloody civilians”. The mistake of the first military ruler, Major-General Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi, who foisted the strange unitary system on the country through his controversial unification decree, marked the beginning of the journey to gloom.

    Today, some leaders may be dodging the national question. Yet, its resolution is critical to peace and harmony. The crux of the matter is that it was not Nigeria that was colonised by the British. It was the kingdoms – Yoruba, Nupe, Fulani, Kanuri, Ebira, Efik, Ibibio, and Bini, among others – that were colonised.

    Nigeria has aptly been described as a mere geographical expression. Diverse people from incompatible social formations were lumped together to coexist. The question is: on what terms?

     The 1999 Constitution has continued to lie against itself. What is the basis for peaceful coexistence? Restructuring, the anticipated elixir for true national cohesion, should not be put in abeyance. If Nigeria desires security, it should also consider state and community policing.

    Nigeria is still being confronted by an identity crisis. Why is a section still pushing for disintegration or Balkanisation? It is not due to feelings of alienation, marginalisation and injustice?

    The country has also continued to grapple with a distribution crisis. How the wealth is generated is usually less important than how it is distributed. Thus, fair play is said to be absent.

    The past is consigned to history. But the present can be devoted to reforms and other corrective measures, which should permeate the sectors.

    Nigeria yearns for great leadership. An opportunity is presented to President Bola Tinubu to lead the country through these lean and challenging times. Expectations are high for him to implement his ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ with utmost fidelity.

    If President Tinubu can restore regular power supply and revive the ailing refineries, Nigeria will be on the path to survival. The informal sector would have been liberated and the measures would be an incentive to local and foreign investment.

    The government should refocus public spending in a way that will trigger productive activities and wealth generation. The country should pay attention to agriculture to guarantee food security.

    Leadership should have a national outlook. This is being demonstrated by the President’s critical appointments. Nepotism will only accentuate suspicion and generate nasty thoughts about ethnic domination which would fuel the fear of marginalisation and exclusion.

    Where should Nigeria be in the next 63 years?

    Hopefully, a technological giant; a great federal democracy; a self-sufficient country; an industrial hub; a secured polity; a united nation-state; and a world power should be birthed sooner than later, if all goes well. What will, however, point in that direction is the foundation that is being laid today.

    The government and people of Nigeria should dream big about the future, jettison habits that impede development in private and public, and lay a concrete foundation for future prosperity under a rational and responsible leadership.

  • Nigeria@63: Thoughts of our fathers and we the children (1)

    Nigeria@63: Thoughts of our fathers and we the children (1)

    Three score and three years ago, our nation’s independence resonated all over the African Continent and the world with the panjandrums getting excited over the creation of what many expected to be the first black power since the days of ancient Egypt, that even Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe perhaps in a spell of prophecy or in his natural oratorical brilliance had in a speech hankered  on Nigeria becoming a force not only vital to the restoration of dignity of man in Africa but of the whole world.

    Far and wide, the world heralded much from the emergence of Nigeria on the global stage. For example, then racist South Africa prepared for a continental showdown with Nigeria contributing a majority of the troops that would determine the future of white supremacy. Conversely, a number of African nationalists rallied to Nigeria for leadership and this to an extent she did exert.

    To our fathers, this was the chance of the Blackman to show the white man that he was able to govern himself and chart their collective destiny within the comity of nations. It was the opportunity to develop our nation and harness our culture and resources in shaping our citizens, our economy and technological advancement.

    Economically we were doing wonders, dominating the exports of oil palm and groundnuts. An agriculturally dominant nation, we were projected to be self sufficient by the 80’s and totally self reliant in the 90’s. We showed great promise, and with agriculture and Agro based industries  as the linchpin of our industrial drive.

    Owing to the prevailing political circumstance then, the various regions which then comprised of the sub nationalities that made up the Nigerian nation were in a form of healthy rivalry with each other. The Western Region under the guidance of its Premier, Chief Obafemi Awolowo maintained great strides in terms of infrastructure and the provision of a number of social services such as education, which was free in the region and healthcare services. His Eastern counterpart, MI Okpara had led the Eastern Region with a form of lightening speed that it was adjudged  the fourth fastest growing economy in the world. Ahmadu Bello and Midwest counterpart Dennis Osadebe also served as pacesetters in their respective regions, Nigeria was truly then on the march!

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    Our fathers dreamed of strong institutions; democracy, rule of law, freedom of speech, fairness and the enthronement of a value system where hard work, honesty and other virtues were instilled in our people.

    Even with the numerous crises that greeted the nation in its first few years, the nation was to still show promise as a maturing democracy deploying compromise where necessary. On the global front, the nation assumed its role as the continent’s big brother, its interventions in Tanzania and Congo Kinshasa under the auspices of the United Nations were indeed deemed as remarkable. Africa as the centerpiece of our diplomatic ensemble gave us the opportunities to elevate Africa’s concerns to the world irrespective of the prevailing ideological struggles. In one event we even broke diplomatic relations with France following its nuclear weapons tests in the Sahara.

    We looked to a nation that was united beyond  the gritty realities as presented by religion and region and tribe, despite the tribal hectoring which was a regular feature amongst the leadership and the elite, we hoped that we would soon understand that Nigerians needed each other if the nation was to progress.

    Our fathers thought of mass literacy for the masses, they dreamed of improving the skill base of the nation, meeting the technical needs required to leapfrog the Nigerian economy from a rudimentary and developing one into an industrialized one. We sited universities and technical colleges to meet such needs and in turn churned out quality graduates who manned departments, offices and units in the nation’s civil services.These men and women were the nation’s future, the mandarins of the nation’s golden era.

    How a nation of so much promise which at independence stood heads above a number of nations such as the People’s Republic of China in terms of its GDP( Nigeria’s GDP in 1960 stood at 1521.23 compared to China which had its real GDP at 507.03) today flounders at the other end of development should bother any right thinking Nigerian. Today, after 63 years of independence we have moved from such promise and envy to a state where we are reportedly derided by more serious nations.

  • Simple but far-reaching solutions to the present crises

    Simple but far-reaching solutions to the present crises

    • By Folake Ademiluyi

    Present day Nigeria is beset and buffeted with several problems, some which are self-inflicted. The biggest challenge is the Japa mentality of the elite who want their bodies in the Nigerian sun but their wants and even needs fed from every other country but Nigeria. They have lived abroad, seen it all and consider those that have not been outside as lacking in the enjoyment of the finer things of life. Their attempts to live abroad, while simultaneously being in Nigeria, is costing the country a humongous amount of foreign exchange, as they try to show and teach our locals how to live the life!

    While every country has a right to trade, it is interesting that Nigerians totally adopt goods from outside the Nigerian economy to the detriment of indigenous alternatives. We practically throw away the baby with the bath water when we replace our indigenous options with foreign substitutes.

    In practically every city in Nigeria now and conspicuously displayed are grapes, apples, pears foreign grown oranges, tangerines and even pomegranates. Meanwhile there are many people who grew up in the cities who have never seen Oro (Irvingia Gabonensis), Iyeye (Spondias Mombin), even wonder what Awin (Dialium Guineense) is and look with disdain or fear at so many other local fruits that where in high demand in years gone by!

    The distribution network of the imported fruits is so efficient and the visibility so strong that they have even now become an integral part of bridal engagement dowry requirements. There is hardly any Nigerian town where these fruits are not found.

    One can only imagine how much foreign exchange goes into funding this luxury and how much money the foreign farmers and importers are making! Statistics have it that in 2021, Nigeria spent approximately $5 million importing fruits from South Africa alone.

     Beyond fruits, even our local Indigo Dye has all but gone into extinction. The Indigo plant (Indigofera Tinctiria) in the Southwest, especially, is so hard to come by. Even when the local name Eluu is mentioned, there are few amongst those who stock dye that know it. This has led to the use of a synthetic replacement called Indanthrene. Indanthrene is so commonly used now that plant Indigo dyed Tie-and –dye is very expensive and the art of dying fabrics with plant Indigo would have been lost but for a few people like Nike Okundaye of Nike Art gallery struggling to keep the art alive.

    While Nigeria must allow free trade, she must also always have the great number of Nigerians in the Diaspora in mind and work to export even our own indigenous fruits, properly and beautifully presented. The relish with which they are eaten by this group will act as attraction and selling point to indigenes of their host countries. Efforts should also be made to give necessary support and incentives to our local farmers to make these fruits as readily available as the foreign alternatives. Propagating love for these fruits locally will increase their local demand and this will help to entrench their demand by Nigerians even when they are outside the country, thereby promoting earnings from export. This is aside from other very useful benefits of these trees.

    The major benefit derived from our Diaspora presently is remittance of money for family support back home. Unfortunately, most times, the money is used locally for essentials that ultimately do not generate any further income beyond what it was remitted for.

    Read Also: From Japa to Japada: Greening the Nigerian pasture (4)

    Our Nigerians in the Diaspora can come in even handier if they are encouraged to form Business Councils. These Business Councils will have official and legal bilateral relationships with interested Nigerians in Nigeria. They will operate exactly like the Business Councils that have helped foreign countries to trade with Nigeria. This kind of arrangement will help limit the number of Nigerians wanting to leave the country to fend for themselves since the bilateral arrangements will ensure that all business interests are legally protected.

    Such an arrangement will also help to boost the activities of the marketing boards that the present administration is looking at re-introducing and also help with backward integration of ideas, education and other inputs that will facilitate trade in a way that business councils of other countries cannot afford to do. The Diaspora partners will act with vested interest that is geared towards developing their own home country.  

    Nigeria is blessed with a lot of potentials to become a tourist’s destination place. Unfortunately, most of the hotels available do not measure up to any standard for rating. It is bewildering that an investor will build and build his hotel without considering staff. He ends up putting a board outside announcing vacancies for just any passer-by! The result is that the hotel will be poorly run and will actually be run down in a couple of years.

    To meet the shortfall in trained hands in the catering and hotel management industries, as indeed many other vocations like the building and construction industries, there is a need for intermediate training schools like the Railway Training Institute at the Railway Compound, Ebute Meta, Lagos, which was originally set up to train staff to meet the needs of the Nigeria Railways. It runs courses in Engineering at intermediate levels and accepts the Junior WAEC results for courses like Fashion and Carpentry. All Courses run for three years.  

    Such intermediate schools, if established everywhere, will help to relieve the pressure on the universities and polytechnics because the number of students trying the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board examination will be reduced. Besides there will be fewer  drop-outs as training in such a school is set to achieve the purpose of giving proper education at intermediate levels to these set of children in an environment approved even by parents. Students also get the opportunity to re-sit NABTEB and NECO as the subjects needed to pass these examinations are also taught. It also helps to prepare students to perform better in the universities and polytechnics when they enter. Those who go through such training are better prepared for the job market even if they do not enter higher institutions.

    If the federal government can set up such intermediate schools in each local government and the states, it will be easier for simple agricultural implements suited to help enhance and facilitate agricultural operations in the local communities to be fabricated. Besides, children in rural communities who do not make the grades to enter higher institutions will not be left stranded.

    Companies, e.g. cement manufacturing companies can be encouraged to have a chair in the intermediate schools to support the teaching of bricklaying and plastering, tiling, plumbing etc as part of corporate social responsibility. Professional bodies can be approached to introduce basic programmes that will prepare the children to be future members of the bodies.

    Nigeria should, as a policy, decide not to allow her skills and vocations to be hijacked by foreigners. For so long the textile industry has been dominated by foreigners with the result that they dictate what happens in the industry. There is an urgent need for scholarships to be given to Nigerian youths to study textile production outside the country.  When they return, enough support and motivation should be given to them to operate in an industry that is now practically, solely and squarely in the hands of foreigners. Such trained Nigerians will be in a better position to give the kind of good and unbiased advice to Government that foreigners cannot afford to give because of their own interests.

    There is a great improvement in the quality of designs being turned out by our bespoke tailors and fashion designers. Sewing hubs and indeed shoemaking hubs should be set up to produce industrially and sold garments and even shoes in shops locally and for export. This is necessary even if the target is children, to help reduce the cost of raising children. 

    As a whole, Nigeria should, as soon as possible, set quality standards that are both affordable and attainable locally to prevent the different industrial sectors from being hijacked by foreigners and stop the country from being a continuous dumping ground for different inferior products and skills from outside. There is also a constant need for information for the re-orientation of our elite and youth especially. The need to connect with everything other than Nigeria is saddening and also reflected even in our films and skits. Our influencers hardly want to be seen in Nigerian colours whereas Ghanaians are so proud of their colours that they fly them as either as wrist bands, hair ornaments, Afro centric jewellery, etc at every opportunity. We should set up competitions for young people for T-shirt designs and other presentations that will make them fall in love with Nigeria, warts and all. 

    • Ademiluyi writes via ademiluyifolake830@gmail.com
  • How medical college helps Nigeria save billions of dollars

    How medical college helps Nigeria save billions of dollars

    President of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, Ijanikin, Lagos State, Prof. Akin Osibogun, has said the college has produced over 7,900 medical and dental specialists, saving the country billions of dollars in postgraduate medical training abroad and the cost of overseas patient care.

    Osibogun said about 10,000 resident doctors were also undergoing training in various approved centres across the country.

    He spoke last week at the college’s 41st convocation of 413 new postgraduate fellows and 92 doctors of medicine.

    Osibogun, a professor of Public Health at College of Medicine, LUTH, noted that brain drain has, however, compounded the problem of inadequate number of skilled medical and dental professionals.

    He said it continues to be a huge threat to the accomplishment of the college’s mandate of producing the needed specialist medical/dental manpower for the country.

    Osibogun said the “Japa” syndrome has caused a reduction in the number of candidates applying for its fellowship examinations.”

    He added that if not urgently addressed, it might create a spiral in which the inadequacy in available manpower would be compounded.

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    “This challenge (brain drain) should be on the front-burner of the national agenda for policy-making and action. We need to put in place mechanisms to train more and retain more trained manpower through improved work climate and conditions of service, including financial and non-financial incentives. The time for action is now,” he said.

    He urged the graduates to continue to represent the college well and be worthy ambassadors of the institution in character and learning.

    In his lecture entitled: “Towards better and longer lives for all Nigerians: Challenges and solutions”, Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), Prof. Olumuyiwa Odusanya, noted that life expectancy remains low in the country.

    To address the issue, he said: “Improving the quality of life includes promoting sound mental health. A starting point is provision of adequate security in all its forms – security of life and property, food security and financial security are but three important areas.

    “There is deep hunger in the land. Beyond distributing fertilisers, the food chain value system needs to be expanded. Measures needed include large mechanisation of farmlands and development of high-yielding seedlings.

    “Governance must continue to fulfill its constitutional mandate to protect Nigeria. The armed forces are obviously doing their best, but the non-kinetic aspects need to be strengthened.”

  • Think Nigeria first!

    Think Nigeria first!

    • By Ehi Braimah

    Last Sunday, the main activity of the day at the Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral in GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, was the National Harvest. It is an event parishioners look forward to every year because of its capacity to create joy, happiness, merriment, and excitement for young and old people. It is always a special moment when parishioners pray for Nigeria and ask for grace for themselves. 

    The mini-Nigeria atmosphere in the church auditorium is usually festive and vibrant; the colourful display of costumes projects our rich cultural heritage and diversity. The overarching theme of unity is evident: although we come from different regions and tribes, we belong to one nation.

    During the procession by each state, the dance steps are beautifully choreographed responses to the popular traditional music from that part of the country. This is followed by a Love Feast and fellowship on the open ground nearby after the church service. 

    The different food types exhibited is a recognition of our diversity and the excellent culinary skills of our people. You could walk into any tent and sample the food of your choice in a show of love and demonstration of goodwill from your hosts. The simple act of sharing and caring are a manifestation of God’s unfailing love and faithfulness.

    When we talk of mercy, kindness and compassion, they are scriptural verses but they are also values that build great nations. Unfortunately, we have allowed tribe and region in the absence of love to define who we are, and these sentiments keep pulling us back. It explains why Nigeria finds it difficult to reach its full potential.

    At the church service, one of the hymns was, “There shall be a new Nigeria.” I was fascinated by the hymn and there was an unscripted earnestness on the faces of parishioners as we sang the hymn with this chorus: ‘New Nigeria, New Nigeria I see/ Our story is changing for good/ A great nation shall be born.’

    Indeed, a great nation comprising different tribes and tongues shall be born. The hymn has five stanzas, with each stanza deliberately crafted to inspire the congregation. I am aware a popular prayer point is, “May God not forsake Nigeria,” but when we look around us, what do we see? We do not see a nation but a collection of tribes and multi-ethnic groups.

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    It is imperative that we change the way we think and behave. We must think of Nigeria first in all that we do. If we can think it, we can do it! What is currently being practiced is that we prioritise where we come from over our national identity.

    In a country with three major tribes and more than 250 ethnic groups and 220 million people, why is it difficult to forge a national identity and speak with one voice? My view is that it is the responsibility of the federal government to create a national identity project that would promote citizenship and serve as the glue to hold everyone together so that Nigeria is a no longer a “mere geographical expression” as the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, noted in the past.

    The hymn we sang in church last Sunday should be translated into all the indigenous languages for national mobilisation. I say this because we do not have any other country to call our own, and it is only Nigerians that can build Nigeria under the right transformational leadership that would inspire greatness in every Nigerian.

    The task of nation-building will begin when we forge and defend a national identity with a new zeal, consciousness and earnestness, and run away from protecting territories. To be clear, where we come from are important but we must always see ourselves as Nigerians first.

    A new Nigeria is on the lips of most people. Chief Afe Babalola is a legal luminary and founder of Afe Babalola University. At 93 years old, Chief Babalola does not need to grandstand or impress anyone with his comments. He has been an advocate for a new Nigeria based on a new constitution where politics will no longer be a “transactional business.”

    If most Nigerians are depressed and refusing to commit to the concept of a new Nigeria, it is because they are treated like refugees in their own country. They also believe strongly that nothing is being done to tackle elite conspiracy which, to a large extent, is the bane of Nigeria’s underdevelopment.

    How many Nigerians are proud of Nigeria or ready to die for Nigeria? I am interested in the outcome of this survey because the number of people leaving Nigeria in droves has become worrisome.

    Most of my friends and associates who live abroad used to tell me about five years ago that they would love to return to Nigeria but they don’t say that anymore. They ask me: return to what? They even tease me to “japa” and join them to become a diaspora Nigerian.

    I am worried about the elite conspiracy against Nigeria which has devalued the lives of Nigerians for so many decades. This club of vested interests that capture and divert state resources are usually protected from the long arm of the law.

    The poor continues to pay the price of a dysfunctional society that does not inspire any hope. The basic things of life are always absent because we are wicked and unkind to each other. Most patriotic Nigerians know that a “Think Nigeria First” campaign in any form will only make sense when the rich stops stealing from the poor.

    When this happens, the stolen funds can be used to develop infrastructure, provide constant electricity supply, build schools and hospitals, and so on.

    With a debt overhang of N87 trillion, are the members of the vested interests club happy? I don’t think so because I know they are patriotic citizens who love Nigeria more than the rest of us. It does not really matter, especially now that we are at their mercy.

    This club of vested interests know how they made their money and they are eating alone while the Nigerian economy is bleeding. This is not fair at all; they should think of Nigeria first before they think of how they spend our money.

    Even if one dollar sells for N5,000, they can afford to buy millions if not billions of dollars. Most Nigerians are selling off their properties and travelling abroad because of the foreign exchange rate variance. I don’t blame them; they are only obeying the first law of nature which is their survival.

    The increasing number of multi-dimensionally poor Nigerians – over 133 million people, according to the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS) – are daily thinking of their survival before anything else. Why can’t these elites who conspire against Nigeria and hold our money in trust for all Nigerians not have pity on poor and hapless Nigerians?

    As our 63rd independence anniversary draws near, what will be President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s message to Nigerians? Mr. President knows that majority of Nigerians are not happy; they are worried and struggling to survive in a dire economic environment where hope must be renewed as quickly as possible.

    • Braimah is a global public relations and marketing strategist.
  • Nigeria on the Path to Greatness Again

    Nigeria on the Path to Greatness Again

    • Senator Opeyemi Bamidele,
    • Leader of the Senate,
    • Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    Today, the National Assembly, the truest custodian and guardian of Nigeria’s democracy, resumes plenary after a 49-day annual recess. Contrary to what most people believe, annual recess is not a period of recreation or vacation for us as representatives of the people across 109 senatorial districts and 360 federal constituencies nationwide. Rather, it is a time when we go back to our constituencies; render account of our representation and aggregate inputs from our constituents.

    That was exactly what we committed our energy, resources and time to between August 8 and September 25 when we were on annual recess. Again, we have resumed plenary, prepared, ready and armed with first-hand feedback central to the development and progress of Nigeria, a federation that exude the hope of black nations beyond the shores of this continent.

    We recognise that we are at a critical time, a truly challenging time when our economy is inherently susceptible to a vicious global economic crisis that does not even spare the world’s greatest economies. We note with concerns foreign exchange instability, which has been driving up prices of goods and services nationwide. We also understand insecurity, especially in the North and its implication for food production, affordability and sufficiency.

    Just after our inauguration, both chambers have been busy, indeed hard-pressed, responding decisively to our national challenges one after the other. We also have considered and approved different requests from President Bola Tinubu aimed at resolving these challenges. We have been treating all these requests consistent with our mandate under Sections 4 (1-4) and 147 (2)  of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

    As representatives of the people, we are utterly committed to these provisions, bringing the bills that were duly enacted by the National Assembly to the President for assent. This has led to the signing of the Electricity Act, 2023; Data Protection Act, 2023; Judicial Officers Act, 2023 and Access to Higher Education Act, 2023. Each of these legislations is designed for the purpose of addressing our inherent internal challenges in one area or the other.

    Besides, we promptly considered the request of the President to extract N500 billion from the 2022 supplementary budget aimed at cushioning the effect of subsidy removal and providing palliatives for the vulnerable. We also treated with a sense of responsibility the request of the President to screen ministerial nominees that now constitute the Executive Council of the Federation in line with Section 144 (5) of the 1999 Constitution. While screening the nominees, we were sitting from morning to dusk, sacrificing our comfort, leisure and free time in pursuit of the general welfare of our people.

    By these interventions, the President has been able to constitute the Executive Council of the Federation and initiate pro-people reforms that his administration has been implementing. This is a clear demonstration of robust executive-legislative collaboration, which we must, cautiously and consciously, culture and nurture for the purpose of deepening our democracy, attending to issues of national interest with speed and creating a socio-political environment that will truly place Nigeria on the pedestal of greatness.

    So much has been achieved so far between the time we embarked on our annual recess and now. A lot more is expected to happen now that we have returned from constituency assignments. We have come back with feedback from over 220 million constituents nationwide. We are now prepared to process them already aggregated nationwide. We are equally ready to mainstream those feedbacks into various development, economic and fiscal policies that the Tinubu administration will introduce in the near future.

    The coming days promise to be truly engaging and even hectic for different reasons. First, we are expecting the President to present the 2024 appropriation bill, which we all believe, will chart a clear part to national peace, progress and prosperity. We strongly believe the bill will come with empirical and practical antidotes to all our challenges. After the presentation of the bill, every committee of both chambers will be busy scrutinising and vetting the budget proposals of all ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) consistent with Section 80 of the 1999 Constitution.

    Second, we are equally under obligation to interrogate and screen former Chairman of the Board of Directors of Citibank Nigeria, Dr. Oluyemi Cardoso, whom Mr. President recently nominated for the position of Central Bank Governor. Mr. President has nominated Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim and Mr. Ayodele Olawande respectively as the Minister of Youth and the Minister of State for Youth. Each of these ministerial nominees are required to be meaningfully engaged before they can serve in the Executive Council of the Federation.

    As pointed out earlier, Nigeria is obviously at a critical moment given circumstances that place households under economic pressures and diverse issues that still complicate insecurity, especially in the North and South-east. In spite of the internal challenges we may be facing today, the world is waiting for Nigeria, not just as Africa’s most populous country, but also as its largest economy and democracy. As a nation of purpose, we too can no longer wait for the world as shown in recent foreign trips from which the President just returned.

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    Again, investors – domestic and foreign – are excited with the gradual emergence of a new political and economic order in Nigeria, the kind that prioritise the people; that incentivise the investors and that place the highest value on human dignity, shared prosperity of our people and the rule of law. This is evident in the outcomes of Mr. President’s foreign trips to the 2023 G-20 Summit held in New Delhi, India between September 9 and 10, 2023.

    At this historic summit, Nigeria is perhaps the biggest beneficiary as indicated in the resolutions of different bilateral meetings held on its sidelines. The President led a team of passionate leaders comprising ministers and captains of industry to this summit with an unambiguous purpose. At the end, Nigeria graciously secured significant investment commitments. India’s conglomerates and multinationals alone signed pledged $14 billion in investments.

    This does not include what Canada and South Korea also pledged at the historic summit that sparked endless arguments at home on whether G-20, an intergovernmental forum of 20 largest economies in the world, is complete without Nigeria, especially when South Africa and African Union have been accorded the permanent membership status. I will not dig deeper into this aspect of our national life due to paucity of space.

    Besides the G-20 summit, the President just returned from the United States where he attended the 78th United Nations General Assembly. His speech at this summit brought back Africa, not just Nigeria, to the epicentre of global conversation again. The takeaway from the UNGA is loud and clear: Nigeria, indeed Africa, can no longer wait for the world to solve its myriad of internal challenges.

    But the global actors, as the President canvassed, must stop the heinous exploitation and pillaging of Africa that has been ongoing since European invasion of Africa in the 19th century and its integration into the global capitalist order subsequently. This message is clear enough. The world has heard us well. Nigeria, the indisputable giant of Africa, is standing with other nations to redefine our history from crisis to calmness, from despondence to development, from dictatorship to democracy and from penury to prosperity.

    Beyond the benefits of the foreign trips, the President has initiated ambitious economic reforms, which aims at opening up Nigeria to the world; attracting foreign direct investments and creating limitless opportunities for our people irrespective of where they reside. This, I believe, will take the centrestage in the 2024 expenditure framework that Mr. President will soon lay before the National Assembly for consideration.

    Even before then, the reforms have been reflected in the review and realignment of MDAs. Unlike predecessors who worked at different fronts to make Nigeria great, the President has prioritised the blue economy by creating the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy. To our critics, this initiative is not the priority of Nigeria to turn away the tide of penury and unemployment.

    However, secondary statistical evidence reveals the contrary. First, according to the World Bank, the blue economy annually values $1.5 trillion globally, provides over 30 million jobs and supplies a vital source of protein to over three billion people. By 2030, based on the recent forecast by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the blue economy will double in volume to $3 trillion.

    Second, Nigeria sits directly on the South Atlantic. By implication, Nigeria runs an economy that largely depends on the sea. Apart from accounting for over 65% cargo in West Africa, our oil production mainly takes offshore. Aside, our maritime space hosts several oil, gas and communication installations with huge contributions to our GDP. This space, I strongly believe, deserves more than passive interests. That is what Mr. President has already shown by creating a ministry to supervise the activities of the maritime actors and leverage the sector to further create opportunities for our teeming population 

    The same applies to the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, which Mr. President created to harness the energy of our youths. As shown in recent reports, our creative industry currently values over $10.4 billion with the potential to grow to $14.8 billion in 2025. Aside, this industry employs over 4.2 million people and will create 2.7 million more jobs by 2027. These figures simply suggest that the creative economy is a way to go and certainly deserves special attention that the President has already accorded it.

    All these statistics obviously justify all the pro-people and progressive reforms the President has been initiating and pursuing since his assumption of office. As a people of purpose curiously yearning for real economic development and opportunities, the Presidency needs our support as much as our prayers to pull Nigeria out of doldrums and place her on the path to greatness and progress that cannot be reversed or truncated.

    As the representatives of the people, we also recognise all the reforms that the President has been promoting. We also recognise that some of these initiatives will require the input of the National Assembly by way of legislation. As we resume plenary today, we are under obligation to consider all the requests that the Presidency will be initiating henceforth with due diligence and not dissension, with collaboration and not conflict and with shared responsibility and not rascality.

    I am confident all the members of the National Assembly across the political divides are ready to objectively support all the reforms of the President with a view to resolving diverse internal challenges confronting us as a federation; creating vast opportunities for our teeming young population and charting a sure path to greatness for our fatherland in all ramifications.

    • Bamidele, the Leader of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, writes from Abuja
  • Plans on to get made-in Nigeria products on global market- Odiri Erewa-Meggison

    Plans on to get made-in Nigeria products on global market- Odiri Erewa-Meggison

    Acting Chairman Manufacturers Association of Nigeria Export Promotion Group (MANEG), Odiri Erewa-Meggison spoke about her vision and strategic approach to driving the growth of the non-oil export sector in improving foreign exchange earnings for Nigeria. Excerpts:

    Congratulations on your appointment as the Acting Chairman of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria Export Promotion Group (MANEG). Could you share a bit about your background and the experiences that have led you to this pivotal role?

    I am a lawyer with 24 years of post-call experience and hold a Masters’ Degree in International Relations. My career has primarily revolved around the manufacturing and export sector, where I have accumulated over 17 years of experience.  I serve as the External Affairs Director at British American Tobacco Nigeria (BAT Nigeria).

    It is by virtue of BAT Nigeria’s affiliation with the MAN Export Promotion Group that I assumed the role of 1st Vice President within MANEG in November 2022, and I subsequently took on the position of Acting Chairman after six months. The transformative power of exports on the fortunes of this country and businesses is the driving force behind my commitment to this sector.

    What specific skills and competencies do you bring to MANEG that will contribute to its growth and success?

    My experience in navigating complex regulatory environments at home and abroad, coupled with my knack for forging strategic partnerships, will be pivotal in leading MANEG. My ability to envision innovative strategies and execute them collaboratively is another asset. I also believe that my leadership experiences and understanding of international relations and trade-related dynamics over the years are coming in handy toward ensuring that MANEG’s objectives are achieved sooner rather than later.

     What is your vision for MANEG during your tenure and how do you plan to guide the group towards achieving it?

    My vision for MANEG is to position it as a catalyst for export growth in Nigeria. MANEG should proactively promote the interest of exporters by shaping export-related policies, securing incentives for exporters and protecting exporters from potentially adverse policy actions. I want MANEG to be a more influential player that is respected because of its actions, not just words. We aim to work with others for the collective good of Nigerian exporters.

     I envision a landscape where local manufacturers seamlessly tap into global markets, thereby bolstering the country’s economy. We are rolling out initiatives to provide exporters with greater incentives, actionable insights, export-focused trainings and networking opportunities. By creating a collaborative platform, we will drive member growth and export success.

    We will also be aligning with relevant stakeholders in the country and the sub-region to build the needed platforms for the achievement of our objectives.

    Could you give us an overview of MANEG’s mission and objectives and how the organization has made or envisions making a significant impact on Nigeria’s export sector?

    MANEG’s mission is largely to promote and protect the interests of exporters that manufacture products in Nigeria, which ultimately enhances the export volume of locally manufactured goods and services to the international market. In the past years, MANEG has been at the forefront of advocacy for payment of incentives to exporters in the form of the Export Expansion Grant. Our efforts have been largely successful and we continue to push the Federal Government to keep its commitments until all qualified exporters receive what is due to them. It is also in recognition of MANEG’s status as the most formidable non-oil exports group and as a sub-group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, that the group was recently conferred with a seat on the board of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council. We will not take this responsibility for granted.

    In the coming weeks – and until the rest of the year – MANEG intends to carry on a series of projects, advocacy, engagement and other activities that we believe will elevate the non-oil exports conversations, secure additional incentives for members, lead to key regulatory changes to boost non-oil exports and also put non-oil exporters in good positions to take advantage of the available opportunities, including under the African Continental Free Trade Area (“AfCFTA”). We are also collaborating with public and private sector stakeholders to achieve our objectives. A recent example is the Knowledge & Capacity Building Training on the AfCFTA for non-oil exporters, which we organised in conjunction with the National Secretariat on AfCFTA in July 2023. The 2-day event was attended by circa 220 participants.

    In a dynamic business landscape, how will MANEG adapt to ensure it remains relevant and effective in supporting Nigerian manufacturers and exporters?

    Instead of resting on our past achievements, the new Exco of MANEG has been reviewing the group’s operations in a bid to optimise our activities in Nigeria, including being more visible and participatory in all matters that affect non-oil exports in Nigeria. We also aim to broaden our services to members, especially with the present-day economic realities and the effect on the global competitiveness of Made-in-Nigeria products. We have acknowledged the continuing focus of government on non-oil exports and trade facilitation as a call to action.

    Too often, activities of exporters are impeded by policy directions that may have good intentions but are not considered from a trade facilitation perspective, thereby creating more harm than good – from a business perspective. Just imagine, for example, that a banking-related initiative could cause delay in export of goods that then results in demurrage payment and completely wipes out an exporter’s profit. Proactive consultations with the relevant players could help to prevent or mitigate such scenarios, so we keep our ears to the ground and consult widely so that despite the dynamism of our regulatory environment, we can quickly adapt and act in the best interests of exporters.

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    Aside from this, we are building strong partnerships by collaborating with local and international trade bodies to facilitate market expansion and knowledge exchange. MANEG will also focus on sustainable practices, aligning with global trends, continuous skill development for members, market intelligence, and policy advocacy that will further bolster our effectiveness. We are also looking to upskill the exporters to get them more competitive in comparison with their counterparts both within Africa and on the global scale.

    Advocacy plays a vital role in shaping policies that impact manufacturers and exporters. Has MANEG actively advocated for favourable policies and conditions for its members? And what is the plan under your tenure?

     Certainly, we are actively engaged in advocating for favourable policies on behalf of our members. In pursuit of our goal to achieve a projected 25 per cent annual growth, we recently collaborated with the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) on a 3-day brainstorming session in Kuru. This partnership took place from August 28 to September 1, 2023.

    Advocacy plays a vital role in shaping policies that impact manufacturers and exporters. Has MANEG actively advocated for favourable policies and conditions for its members? And what is the plan under your tenure?

     Certainly, we are actively engaged in advocating for favourable policies on behalf of our members. In pursuit of our goal to achieve a projected 25 per cent annual growth, we recently collaborated with the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) on a 3-day brainstorming session in Kuru. This partnership took place from August 28 to September 1, 2023.

    MANEG’s advocacy initiatives encompass a broad spectrum of objectives, including the promotion of better infrastructure, streamlined regulations, reduced trade barriers, improved access to foreign exchange markets, and enhanced financing opportunities. The recent disbursement of Export Expansion Grant to over 200 exporters was due to the consistent work of MANEG and some other stakeholders. MANEG’s advocacy has also helped to resolve several concerns regarding the implementation of the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme and trade facilitation generally.

    During my tenure, working together with the Exco and other members of the group, we aim to expand our influence in the public sphere, engage in greater advocacy activities, work with the government in connection with the AfCFTA, secure additional incentives for members and work with other stakeholders to reduce the difficulties of doing business in Nigeria. We will build strong relationships with key government stakeholders through regular interactions and presentation of data-driven proposals that highlight how policies enhance or impede the export environment.

    Nigeria has a diverse range of products with export potential. How does MANEG plan to tap into these opportunities and assist manufacturers in successfully penetrating international markets?

    Policy advocacy will remain integral, as MANEG works with governmental bodies to create a favourable regulatory environment and eliminate trade obstacles. We plan to leverage both traditional media and digital platforms to share our success stories, industry insights, and the incredible potential of Nigerian exports. Public seminars and workshops will also play a key role. Equally important is our drive to strengthen ties with individual members of the group. They understand the terrain extremely well and are in a great position to steer MANEG in the right direction. Our members are very important to us and we will let them guide us as often as possible. We will also provide members with insight that we gather so that we have the required synergy to meet our objectives.

    In your opinion, what are the critical challenges facing Nigerian manufacturers and exporters today, and how does MANEG address these challenges?

     Challenges include lack of adequate infrastructure, in terms of roads, electricity, and affordable funding. Clearing goods at the port takes on average 20-30 days, with the risks of demurrage. There are lots of duplicity of roles where govt agencies are concerned which slows down the process.

    There is also the issue of rejection of Made in Nigeria goods by other countries, which I think with better collaboration led by the govt agencies such as SON, would go a long way to facilitate and ensure that the Nigerian exporter is fully informed and educated about the requirements for goods leaving the country to a destination market. Another issue has to do with the challenges of processing ETLS, this is the scheme that allows for free movement of goods within ECOWAS. There are a lot of bottlenecks such as certificates from Nigeria not being uploaded on time or accepted by some francophone countries. Again, there exists an opportunity for the ECOWAS desk and Customs to work closer together across countries to address this better.

    MANEG, sees these challenges as an opportunity for better collaboration and education with all relevant stakeholders, with a view to getting Made in Nigeria products on the global market, thereby creating jobs for Nigerians and generating FX income which Nigeria desperately needs now.

    Communication is key to spreading awareness. What are the platforms MANEG leverages, and how will this evolve under your leadership to reach a broader audience and garner more support?

    In driving the growth of the Non-Oil Export sector and improving foreign exchange earnings for the country, MANEG continues to put structures in place to support exporters across Nigeria to improve their competitiveness in the global market. MANEG does this through educational programmes, linking exporters to critical stakeholders and bringing them into the larger ecosystem.

    To achieve this, MANEG is recalibrating its online and digital presence in line with best practices. One of the key components of this effort is the enhancement of MANEG’s website, which will highlight the brand and brand message more effectively, while also providing a cohesive and consistent user journey and experience. MANEG will also seamlessly integrate the website with a community platform where members can digitally connect and enjoy the full benefits of the MANEG membership. The new digital positioning will also come with a stronger communication and engagement framework including articles, blogs, and up-to-date information sharing, as well as full integration with its social media presence. This is necessary to give the MANEG members a sense of connection with the brand, with themselves and the larger ecosystem.

    The improved brand positioning will set the tone for strategic partnerships with relevant stakeholders in the public, private and international space, which is one of the pillars of MANEG’s impact in Nigeria. These partnerships will give MANEG a stronger foothold that will translate to value for its growing member base.

     For a strong body like MANEG, the stakes are higher especially now that the country is repositioning itself for economic prosperity. With very clear targets, stronger collaborations, and speed of execution, the next 12-24 months and beyond will see MANEG with a base of over 1,000 members, and a self-sustaining model.

    Could you share some insights into the strategic partnerships or collaborations that you envision MANEG forming to amplify its influence and reach?

     We’re exploring joint events, sharing resources, and forming task forces to address sector-specific challenges. International partnerships are essential. We’ll organize trade missions, forge alliances with foreign trade bodies, and create avenues for global investors to engage with the Nigerian manufacturing sector.

     Presently, we are improving our relationships and interactions with relevant stakeholders in government such as the Presidency, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Nigerian Customs Service, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, NAFDAC, the Central Bank of Nigeria, etc. We are also reaching out to Organised Private Sectors such as the NESG, NECA, AFBTE, various Chambers of Commerce and Industry, etc. We expect to meet each of these stakeholders in the coming weeks and months.

    What message do you have for the Nigerian business community, prospective MANEG members, and government stakeholders as you embark on this transformative journey with MANEG?

     This journey is about belief, transformation, unity, and progress. MANEG’s transformative path will yield enduring benefits for us all and we invite other exporters to join us. With the right partnerships, we can confidently navigate the export landscape and achieve success. To manufacturers, members, and other stakeholders, I say this: together, we’re embarking on an exciting journey of growth. I am filled with optimism and belief that we can drive positive change for the non-oil export sector and MANEG is very open to working with all well-meaning stakeholders.

  • Nigeria wins 2023 ITTF African Para Championships

    Nigeria wins 2023 ITTF African Para Championships

    After dominating the qualification for Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, Nigeria asserted itself as the new powerhouse at the 2023 ITTF African Para Championships which ended yesterday in Giza, Egypt.

    From the 14 tickets to the Paralympic Games, Nigeria picked nine while Egypt settled for five in the singles events, but the host team dominated the doubles and mixed doubles events with five gold medals while Nigeria picked two.

    The three-day tournament has host – Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, Mauritius, Cameroon, South Africa, Kenya and Cote d’Ivoire competing in the singles, doubles and mixed doubles events with Nigeria carting home 11 gold medals to dethrone Egypt as the new para table tennis champion in Africa.

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    Dethroned African champion in class four, Sameh Eid-Saleh described the performance of Nigeria as inspiring as the team put up a good show against them. “I think Nigeria came with a strong team of players and coaches and I must commend them and I hope we can continue to raise the bar for para table tennis in Africa,” the five-time Paralympian said.

    For Nasiru Sule, the feat achieved by Nigeria exceeded previous outings especially with the large number of qualified players for the Paralympic Games.

    “I am so happy that we have more players making it to the Paralympic Games this year and this is the best we had ever achieved because our largest number was at Sydney 2000 when we had seven players making it to the games but this time we have nine which I believe is an improvement from us as a nation. Most of the players that also qualified will also be making their debut at the games next year. I must also commend Egypt for the smooth running and hospitality provided during the championships ,” the Atlanta 96 Paralympics bronze medalist said.

  • 2023: Not an idle moment for Nigeria

    2023: Not an idle moment for Nigeria

    Last week’s widespread protests and candlelight processions in some states organised in memory of musician Ilerioluwa Aloba, alias MohBad, probably left many people in their 40s, 50s and above reeling. Until his death at 27 and the controversy surrounding the circumstances of his passing, very few older generation Nigerians ever heard of him, let alone listened to his music. Indeed, quite paradoxically, he may have achieved fame at his death. The puzzled generation of elders should not try to know or appreciate his genre of music; it will worsen their bewilderment. Fortunately, his death had substantially nothing to do with the government or law enforcement agencies, except perhaps tangentially, and protests over the circumstances of his passing were designed more to cajole relevant ministries and agencies of government into investigating those who might have contributed in one sinister way or the other to his untimely exit.

    2023 began on a high; it appears ready to go in a blaze of crises. Indeed, examined more closely, it is uncertain this year can be compared with any other year since Gen. Sani Abacha expired in June 1998 and MKO Abiola also died in controversial circumstances a month later. Right from the break of dawn in January 2023, mysteries and convulsions have wracked the country and left the people winded. Even seers did not anticipate these seismic events, through their daily conjurations, sorceries and mathematical deductions, nor, by genuine prophecies, saw and warned about what were soon to befall Nigeria. And whether Nigerians like it or not, they will keep on experiencing similar and breathtaking events till the close of the year. No one knows what October holds in store, nor November, nor yet December. It is safe to surmise, however, that there will be additional convulsions in the weeks to come, perhaps more tumultuous than the previous nine months, but obviously no less impactful, dramatic, and apocalyptic. If not another musician dropping dead in reflection of the unfathomable tastes of the youths, then perhaps the birthing of some extraordinary electoral phenomena from politicians’ Ouija boards.

    Who could have guessed that as 2022 faded away in the harmattan haze of December that the Nigerian government would inflict an improperly conceived and poorly digested currency redesign as a Christmas and New Year’s gift between December 15, 2022 and January 29 (later extended to February 10) 2023. They did, and they defended it with gusto, impounding the people’s money and barring them, on pain of suffering and death, from having access to cash. And of all the economic policies ever conceived on planet earth, who could have guessed that such horrendous sufferings were designed to thwart a certain political succession process or produce a particular objective favourable to a powerful clique. They inflicted hasty currency change on the country, ignored widespread suffering, conducted the elections some 10 days later and in mid-March in a fouled atmosphere, but unprecedentedly still failed to get the outcome for which they produced an earthquake, despite being helped by all the forces humans could muster, spiritual, ethnic, and class.

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    And then, contrary to projections, predictions and incitement, all of which held Nigerians in suspense, both the elections and the May 29 inaugurations held peacefully. The country is surprisingly on an even keel despite immeasurable privations, and despite one cataclysmic event following another, and on and on. Absolutely not one dull moment. Edo wanted to impeach its deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, for insubordination and disloyalty, but Governor Godwin Obaseki dithered. Perhaps he recognised it would amount to overkill, for after all, his deputy was guilty of nothing more than overweening ambition. But in a system where gross misconduct is left to the interpretative laxity of governors and the Houses of Assembly, impeachment becomes considerably easy. If Mr Obaseki dithered, Ondo State’s Governor Rotimi `dolu would not put his hands to the plough and look back. He has tried to distance himself from the impeachment process launched last week by the ingratiating legislature, and rested his alibi on the metaphysics of his debilitation and recovery from a grave illness, but no one is buying his excuses. His deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, is a goner except heaven intervenes.

    And just as the country was still reeling from the Edo and Ondo conundrums, out came the Kano governorship dispute judgement with a bang. At least four senior Kano State government officials close to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) had threatened fire and brimstone against the judges should the case be decided in favour of the petitioners, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Nasiru Gawuna, but only one was sacked. Nevertheless, by a unanimous decision, the three judges hearing the case delivered their judgement by zoom and dared the worst. The judges reasoned that Sections 63 and 64 of the Electoral Act 2022 dealing with the issues of the integrity of ballot papers and the validity of votes compelled them to give judgement in favour of the APC. The state, long considered to be one of the two closest to the idea of civic culture, and split almost evenly between the two feuding parties, has since been on tenterhooks sharpened by the irreconcilability and fanaticism of their leaders.

    States may be paranoid about opponents, real or imagined, and are immersed in impeachment frenzies, but they cannot hold the candle to the federal authorities. Before the courts began to shock petitioners and respondents in the states, they had first dealt a crushing but predictable blow to the presidential election petitioners, to wit, ex-vice president Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former governor Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP). If any serious analyst thought the case could be decided otherwise, he must of course be hallucinating. The first, second and third runners-up in the February presidential poll all belonged to the PDP one year before the poll. But months before the poll, they split into three, while a fourth consisting of five governors also carved itself out of the lump, making four factions going into the election against a united APC. The courts had little trouble, despite the huge and inciting campaign against the judiciary and the persons of the justices, to come to an emphatic and unanimous decision. That decision will not change on appeal. But meanwhile, the PDP candidate has kept the public entranced with a tangential court case in the United States over the president’s university certificate.

    Even if no previously little-known musician drops dead, and is exhumed and autopsied, still, watch out for the courts. They will keep everyone on the edge of their seats till December. Former president Olusegun Obasanjo will continue to bait anyone that crosses his malignant path, whether Yoruba chiefs or an incensed former wife, and he will do his best to incite youths against the establishment, and speak darkly and conspiratorially to the coup instincts of the military. He has become more theatrical as the years go by, but he is unfazed by public perception of his private and public morals. Only now do analysts understand why Gen Abacha jailed him after an impromptu trial. And just in case boredom looms in the weeks ahead, trust Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa elections to spice things up in November. Then the losers will head for the courts, and the circus will start all over again and keep roiling. Maybe next year will be calmer. But for 2023, it has been one giddy, unequalled and furious year.