The greatest challenge will be how to raise the standard of education in Nigeria with minimal or no government involvement. Please do not ask me why, because events in and around our educational sector has shown us how serious our government can be when it comes to improving the educational standards. Part of the reason why our “rulers” do not give education the required attention is because some of their children are studying overseas. Many are studying in nearby Ghana and other African countries. This reminds me of a suggestion that I made earlier that all government functionaries should have their children study in Nigeria while they are still in government positions. Exception should be for people on foreign services.
It should be an unpatriotic act to have your children studying abroad while you’re holding a government position. Nigerians should take this matter to the National Assembly and all states Houses of Assembly to pass a law prohibiting children of government functionaries from studying abroad while their parents are still holding government positions. Same should apply to health care. Perhaps a policy in the above direction might bring some seriousness on the part of government officials and thus usher in changes in our education and healthcare system.
Having said the above, I want to propose exchange programmes between the private universities and government universities. I want the 41 private universities, polytechnics, and other privately owned higher institutions to design an exchange programmes particularly for the students of public universities. The idea will be to cross exchange ideas, learning skills, study experiences, share books, journals etc. I want the private universities to take up the challenges of improving the standard of education, by assisting the students of public universities using the mechanism of exchange programmes. On the fallen standard of education in Nigeria, private institutions (universities, polytechnics etc) cooperation with government institutions provides a viable option that can improve the quality of education. Exchange programmes should also be encouraged between government and private owned primary and secondary schools.
A lot has gone wrong with the public schools. The lack of funding (below the UNESCO standard of 26% of annual budgets) is a big factor. The industrial disputes between the government, Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities (ASUU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU), National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) etc, has taken its toll on Nigerian students. Let us also factor in the internal university crisis, like the tussle to become the University of Benin Vice Chancellor etc. All these have negative effects on the students. Obviously, when two elephants fight, the grass will suffer. The grasses in this case are the Nigerian students who are paying the price.
As it stands, I appeal for a rescue plan from the private sector. Education is light and knowledge will forever govern ignorance. Ignorance is also a disease. I want the private sector (parents, teachers, non governmental organizations, business community, churches etc) to embark on a massive campaign to raise the culture of reading. Let the private sector do whatever it will take to get Nigerians reading. We need to read more to improve our standards. Let the Nigerian people take this as a challenge to encourage children and youths to read, as this will have a clear and positive effect on academic achievements in school and outside the school. Another fact we need to understand is that, low levels of literacy can lead to poor outcomes amongst students, which in turn can lead to high unemployment, crimes, etc.
Nigerians need to encourage their children and the youths to read more science and technology courses. It gave me serious concern when I learnt that South African government is recruiting mathematics and sciences teachers from Nigeria. This is an area we need most. This is also another brain drain, but again they will remit foreign exchanges back home. In the absence of our oil revenue, remittances from Nigerians abroad are the second largest source of foreign exchange. Though that I will not blame any teacher that leaves Nigeria, but my advise is, let them fashion a way of transferring their foreign experiences back to Nigeria.
We need also to encourage our people to study skills acquisition in addition to their normal academic programme. We can design skills acquisition courses at the end of every academic year for our children/youths etc. This will take away their mind from crimes etc. An idle mind is a devils workshop. Let us also encourage our people to take overseas distance learning courses. Exposure to overseas distance learning might be a better way for people to experience the standards of education in the western world. Quiz competitions amongst students should be encouraged as well.
I will recommend adult education for parents and families who are not educated. There is need to educate our uneducated parents and families. I have said these because, the child’s first and most important teachers are the parents or the family members. Educated parents will likely engage in their children’s education. Better still, there could be home study programmes if parents are educated. In a report on Time Magazine of November 23 2009 edition, many Chinese students spend twice as many hours doing homework than their United State counterparts, partly due to family involvement. I will ask private educational providers to design programmes whereby tutors can visit people at their work places or business places to deliver lecture. I understand some people might be too busy to leave their offices/business to attend adult education centers, in such situation, tutors can visit such people.
I will also propose the establishment of community libraries and learning centers in every community. This project should be undertaken by the communities. It could be a room or two. Nigerian communities/villages should build community libraries the same way they established community banks. Many communities established community banks, same spirit should adopted to build community libraries. It should be equipped and managed by the communities. Nigerians at home and abroad should donate books to these libraries.
I will recommend an arrangement whereby the federal, state and local governments will grant tax waivers to private institutions in return for them to increase their yearly students’ enrolment, offer scholarships, studentships, funding, etc. Let me also propose more private sector (companies, banks etc) collaboration and funding of research projects in private universities.
Finally, I wish to appeal to Nigerians to participate and join the fight against global warming. Turn off your electrical appliances/lights when not in use. Plant a tree or sponsor one to plant on your behalf. Government and companies should send less paper work and do more email, telephone, and sms. May God bless Nigeria.
Chinedu Vincent Akuta
An activist and leader of “Support Option A4 Group” Leicester-UK
akutachinedu@yahoo.com
http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com/
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Speed Limits.
Ever since I wrote my article on: Alcohol And Road Accidents In Nigeria, published on my blog (http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com) and other national and international media outlets, many road accidents have occurred. Thisday newspaper of 10th October 2009 online version, reported that about 70 people were killed in a multiple road accident that occurred at Umunya junction in Oyi local government area of Anambra State . The bigger picture came when Thisday newspaper of 24th October 2009 online version, reported the total number of road accidents in Nigeria as obtained from the Federal Road Safety Commission (F.R.S.C.).
Quoting Thisday newspaper (online version) of 24th October 2009, “The number of reported cases of road accidents on the country's highways has reached 8,553 between January and first week of October. According to a road traffic situation update obtained by THISDAY from the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Abuja, about 4,120 persons lost their lives while 20,975 other were seriously injured in the fatal accidents that involved 11,031 vehicles across the nations”. By any standard or measurements, these figures are too high. I am not sure that our country can sustain this number of deaths occasioned by road accidents. Therefore, this is a drastic situation that needs drastic action. Nigerians, the Federal Road Safety Commission, the Nigerian Police, private and commercial transport companies, and all road users have a role to play to minimize road accidents. But the Federal Road Safety Commission has more roles to play.
As a suggestion and armed with figures above on death caused by road accidents, the Federal Road Safety Commission should push for legislation that will set up approved speed limits in urban roads, rural road, and high ways/express ways. The same legislation should outline stiff penalties on offenders and authorize the Federal Road Safety Commission to use speed cameras and other means to catch offenders. Then the next stage should be enforcement. As a starting point, the Federal Road Safety Commission should introduce the use of mobile speed cameras.
There are many types of mobile speed cameras that could be fixed on the road safety vehicles. The Federal Road Safety Commission should combine this process with massive awareness campaign on the introduction of these devices. They can mount these cameras on both unmarked vehicles and marked vehicles. This is a highly effective method to control speeding by motorists. Speed camera was originally invented by Maurice Gatsonides in the 1950,s as a technology for automatic speed measurement of vehicles. This was hijacked for speed control purposes by the authorities in Netherlands .
The mobile speed cameras are portable, such that it could be moved from one point to another. It can be hidden behind a parked vehicle or inside a vehicle. Other types of mobile speed cameras can also be carried by hand. All that the road safety officers need to do is to mount this camera and station their officers few meters away to stop any one caught over speeding. This is not rocket science. It is a very simple technology used by all developed and developing countries. Nigerians should ask for these devices to enforce speed limits. Accidents can kill and devastate people. I understand that speeding alone is not the only cause of road accidents in Nigeria . But if we can enforce speed limits and apply the recommendations on my article on; Alcohol And Road Accidents In Nigeria then we might see some reductions on road mishaps.
It is very much in the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians that speeding is controlled on all roads. The whole idea will be to reduce to the lowest minimum, the rates of road accidents. Private and commercial transporters should enforce speed limits. I remember traveling on ABC Transport and on stopping at Benin , we were giving questionnaires to answer if the driver was speeding and how he drove. This practice should be sustained. Let other transporters device a means of enforcing speed limits on their drivers. Firstly, let passengers know that there is a speed limit applicable. This might help reduce pressure from passengers asking drivers to go faster.
Next advice to the Federal Road Safety Commission should be to ask all driving instructors in Nigeria to register with them. Refresher courses and leaflets should be handed to them. Fitness test should be carried out on them. The Federal Road Safety Commission should produce an updated driving code which every driving instructor should buy. All vehicles for driving schools should be examined and certified by road safety officials. All driving schools should be registered and recognized by the road safety commission. All new drivers should undergo health checks, theory test, and practical test before being allowed to drive. As a way to avoid manipulation, I suggest that the theory test should be online so that the road safety officials will not have a control over it. The practical test should be examined by road safety officials to be randomly selected through balloting. A candidate should be expected to pass all three tests (health checks, theory and practical tests). All parts of the driving test should carry equal marks.
I know that the Federal Road Safety Commission has enough personnel to undertake the above tasks. Otherwise they can call for volunteers whom they should be able to give references as having acquired a working experience from them. Alternatively, the road safety commission can contract out some of these responsibilities to reputable Nigerian companies. I suggest a change of our driving license to a bio-metric system, whereby people should give their finger prints and complete details. The same methods that, the immigration is using to issue the new international passport. The Federal Road Safety Commission, the Nigerian Police, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and other law enforcement agencies can share date base together.
The idea of bio-metric driving license is to avoid obtaining driving licenses by proxy. It will make it easier to track road traffic offenders. It will also help to fight other types of crime. This takes me to another article that I wrote; Reforming Police and Policing Reforms, in that article, I argued for the police to start taking finger prints of suspects. I wish to quote a part of the article here; “DNA fingerprinting will be a valuable tool in the fight against crimes in Nigeria . It will help in investigating cases. Similar technology has been deployed before by the Nigerian government during the registration of ID card scheme. The current e-passport system in Nigeria takes our finger prints. So what the government needs to do is to transfer the national database to the police or the police can share this data base with all relevant government departments. So as soon as a suspect is caught, the DNA fingerprinting should be taken and stored or checked with the ones already in the system”.
Let’s remember that DNA samples are very useful to identify the culprits and the guilty. It also helps to exonerate the innocent. The road safety commission should not forget to come up with vehicle carbon emission level in Nigeria . They (FRSC) should turn the above information with others into decisions. With will, determination, and vision, the road safety commission can accomplish this project. We should remember that no society or country will develop without making efforts. If we don’t do anything, we have to accept what happens. But if we act, we have a chance to improve things.
Finally, I wish to appeal to Nigerians to participate and join the fight against global warming. Turn off your electrical appliances/lights when not in use. Plant a tree or sponsor one to plant on your behalf. Government and companies should send less paper work and do more email, telephone, and sms. May God bless Nigeria .
Chinedu Vincent Akuta
An activist and leader of “Support Option A4 Group” Leicester-UK
akutachinedu@yahoo.com
http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com/
Quoting Thisday newspaper (online version) of 24th October 2009, “The number of reported cases of road accidents on the country's highways has reached 8,553 between January and first week of October. According to a road traffic situation update obtained by THISDAY from the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Abuja, about 4,120 persons lost their lives while 20,975 other were seriously injured in the fatal accidents that involved 11,031 vehicles across the nations”. By any standard or measurements, these figures are too high. I am not sure that our country can sustain this number of deaths occasioned by road accidents. Therefore, this is a drastic situation that needs drastic action. Nigerians, the Federal Road Safety Commission, the Nigerian Police, private and commercial transport companies, and all road users have a role to play to minimize road accidents. But the Federal Road Safety Commission has more roles to play.
As a suggestion and armed with figures above on death caused by road accidents, the Federal Road Safety Commission should push for legislation that will set up approved speed limits in urban roads, rural road, and high ways/express ways. The same legislation should outline stiff penalties on offenders and authorize the Federal Road Safety Commission to use speed cameras and other means to catch offenders. Then the next stage should be enforcement. As a starting point, the Federal Road Safety Commission should introduce the use of mobile speed cameras.
There are many types of mobile speed cameras that could be fixed on the road safety vehicles. The Federal Road Safety Commission should combine this process with massive awareness campaign on the introduction of these devices. They can mount these cameras on both unmarked vehicles and marked vehicles. This is a highly effective method to control speeding by motorists. Speed camera was originally invented by Maurice Gatsonides in the 1950,s as a technology for automatic speed measurement of vehicles. This was hijacked for speed control purposes by the authorities in Netherlands .
The mobile speed cameras are portable, such that it could be moved from one point to another. It can be hidden behind a parked vehicle or inside a vehicle. Other types of mobile speed cameras can also be carried by hand. All that the road safety officers need to do is to mount this camera and station their officers few meters away to stop any one caught over speeding. This is not rocket science. It is a very simple technology used by all developed and developing countries. Nigerians should ask for these devices to enforce speed limits. Accidents can kill and devastate people. I understand that speeding alone is not the only cause of road accidents in Nigeria . But if we can enforce speed limits and apply the recommendations on my article on; Alcohol And Road Accidents In Nigeria then we might see some reductions on road mishaps.
It is very much in the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians that speeding is controlled on all roads. The whole idea will be to reduce to the lowest minimum, the rates of road accidents. Private and commercial transporters should enforce speed limits. I remember traveling on ABC Transport and on stopping at Benin , we were giving questionnaires to answer if the driver was speeding and how he drove. This practice should be sustained. Let other transporters device a means of enforcing speed limits on their drivers. Firstly, let passengers know that there is a speed limit applicable. This might help reduce pressure from passengers asking drivers to go faster.
Next advice to the Federal Road Safety Commission should be to ask all driving instructors in Nigeria to register with them. Refresher courses and leaflets should be handed to them. Fitness test should be carried out on them. The Federal Road Safety Commission should produce an updated driving code which every driving instructor should buy. All vehicles for driving schools should be examined and certified by road safety officials. All driving schools should be registered and recognized by the road safety commission. All new drivers should undergo health checks, theory test, and practical test before being allowed to drive. As a way to avoid manipulation, I suggest that the theory test should be online so that the road safety officials will not have a control over it. The practical test should be examined by road safety officials to be randomly selected through balloting. A candidate should be expected to pass all three tests (health checks, theory and practical tests). All parts of the driving test should carry equal marks.
I know that the Federal Road Safety Commission has enough personnel to undertake the above tasks. Otherwise they can call for volunteers whom they should be able to give references as having acquired a working experience from them. Alternatively, the road safety commission can contract out some of these responsibilities to reputable Nigerian companies. I suggest a change of our driving license to a bio-metric system, whereby people should give their finger prints and complete details. The same methods that, the immigration is using to issue the new international passport. The Federal Road Safety Commission, the Nigerian Police, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and other law enforcement agencies can share date base together.
The idea of bio-metric driving license is to avoid obtaining driving licenses by proxy. It will make it easier to track road traffic offenders. It will also help to fight other types of crime. This takes me to another article that I wrote; Reforming Police and Policing Reforms, in that article, I argued for the police to start taking finger prints of suspects. I wish to quote a part of the article here; “DNA fingerprinting will be a valuable tool in the fight against crimes in Nigeria . It will help in investigating cases. Similar technology has been deployed before by the Nigerian government during the registration of ID card scheme. The current e-passport system in Nigeria takes our finger prints. So what the government needs to do is to transfer the national database to the police or the police can share this data base with all relevant government departments. So as soon as a suspect is caught, the DNA fingerprinting should be taken and stored or checked with the ones already in the system”.
Let’s remember that DNA samples are very useful to identify the culprits and the guilty. It also helps to exonerate the innocent. The road safety commission should not forget to come up with vehicle carbon emission level in Nigeria . They (FRSC) should turn the above information with others into decisions. With will, determination, and vision, the road safety commission can accomplish this project. We should remember that no society or country will develop without making efforts. If we don’t do anything, we have to accept what happens. But if we act, we have a chance to improve things.
Finally, I wish to appeal to Nigerians to participate and join the fight against global warming. Turn off your electrical appliances/lights when not in use. Plant a tree or sponsor one to plant on your behalf. Government and companies should send less paper work and do more email, telephone, and sms. May God bless Nigeria .
Chinedu Vincent Akuta
An activist and leader of “Support Option A4 Group” Leicester-UK
akutachinedu@yahoo.com
http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com/
Sunday, November 1, 2009
George And Judgement.
This was another “celebrity case” and what I may call another “celebrity sentence”. In Nigeria, it is becoming a norm to give “high profile people/politicians” a soft sentence, for example Tafa Balogun (former Inspector General of Police). This is not the first time neither shall it be the last. Our dear George was given only two and half years imprisonment for his disservice (N85 billion naira fraud) to his motherland. I am sure that if it’s an ordinary Nigerian that committed this crime, he might be given a very long sentence. So sure also that, some people who have spent more than two and half years or more in detention or awaiting trial did not steal up to N1 million naira, but someone that embezzled N85 billion was given only two and half years. This is an indication that, laws are like cobwebs, strong enough to detain the weak and too weak to hold the strong.
I will not question the wisdom of Justice Olubunmi Oyewole in giving two and half years as the punishment for Olabode George, but as an ordinary person, I think that only two and half years might be too small for an offence of this magnitude. I also think that this judgement might be counter productive in that people might not be deterred enough from such offences in the future, knowing that the penalty will not be much. We have to remember that the greatest incitement to crime is the hope of escaping punishment. Also the actions of people like our Olabode George runs contrary to what the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo said, “Don’t enjoy in public office what you cannot legitimately enjoy in your private life” He abused office and public trust.
Nigerians will like to see the plans made by the court to recover the money, because this amount (N85 billion naira) can do a lot in terms of generating electricity or providing direct employment. On the other hand, N85 billion can deny and deprive millions of Nigerians what would have been their means of survival. One wonders why many of our people have taken to crime etc as a means of survival. Many people (Olabode George & Co) are actually responsible for the sufferings of Nigerian masses. He (Olabode George) has nothing to loose. He has retired from the Nigerian Navy and a former governor of Ondo State. Became the deputy national chairman (South West) of Peoples Democratic Party and later chairman of board of directors of Nigerian Ports Authority where the abuse of office took place. Simply speaking, this imprisonment will be a good way for him to start his over due retirement.
This now throws a big challenge to Nigerians, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), our judiciary and our government. Nigerians should keep pressure on the government to be serious with her fight against corruption. I understand the frustration encountered by many people who do not see any serious commitment on the part of the authorities to tackle corruption. Nigerians should never, never give up but rather think of how we as individuals or groups can contribute to the fight against corruption. People should volunteer any information that will support the fight against corruption. Though that majority of corrupt cases emanates from top government offices, Nigerians can still do a lot in this struggle against corruption.
The present situation at home (bad roads, unemployment, fallen educational standards, irregular power supply, high crime rates, etc) should be a recipe for all of us to join the fight against corruption. We should realize that these societal problems mentioned above, have direct or indirect linkages to embezzlement of funds. Do we fold our hands and watch while the country collapses? My answer will be no. Lets say no and continue to say no to corrupt officials. I also understand that Nigerian authorities are partially deaf, that means we have to shout out louder till our voices are heard. Let us also take our case to our law makers and our representatives. Who is representing us/our constituency at the House of Representatives? Does he have any contact address (constituency office, telephone, fax, web addresses etc) it might be a good idea to engage our representatives, perhaps put pressure through them. Good people will emerge or bad ones might be converted through our actions.
Things must work in Nigeria because the alternative will be worst than disaster. Every one has a role to play. Politicians must constantly be reminded not to mess about with the future of millions of Nigerians. Each stolen national wealth sends Nigeria and Nigerians backward. I need to remind Nigerians that there is nothing the civil society cannot do, more especially now that we are in civilian rule in Nigeria. With our join efforts, a lot could be achieved.
The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) owe Nigerians a duty to seriously and honestly fight crime, irrespective of who is involved. EFCC should strengthen their commission and be able to catch the big fishes. I need to remind them of what President Obama said in Ghana, that Africa needs strong institutions and not strong men. They (EFCC) are trying but Nigerians expects more considering the level of our decay. Without doubts, the EFCC has the resources to carry out their jobs, but they also need the support of Nigerians. But the problem might be on the will power of their leadership. As it is, the EFCC will have no other excuses to give especially now, that our president has promised not to interfere with their duties.
As a way forward, I will suggest the EFCC to increase their surveillance over banks and other financial institutions. The emphasis should be on crime prevention. As you will agree with me that, prevention is better than cure. The EFCC should infiltrate the financial institutions overtly and covertly. The EFCC should initiate legislation were necessary to boost their operations. The law requiring banks to declare certain amount of monetary transactions should be strictly enforced. Nigerians should try as much as possible to volunteer information to the law enforcement agencies. The authorities cannot do their work very well without the public participation and support. I will suggest that the EFCC should undertake training in China as to how best to fight corruption. Chinese experiences might be a useful one.
The Nigerian judiciary remains the last hope of common people. The efforts of our judiciary have gone a long way towards saving our democracy. Examples include judgement that restored Peter Obi (Anambra State governor), Amaechi (Rivers State governor), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo State) etc. Nigerians will appreciate if the same spirit could be applied to deliver judgements on several corrupt cases against former leaders who looted the national treasury. Justice delay is justice denied. In future, let the Nigerian judges draw lessons from how Justice Olubunmi Oyewole discharged Olabode George’s case in record time (14 months), compared to other Nigerian cases. The Nigerian judiciary should also look at how the American judiciary sentenced Bernard Madoff. He was given over hundred years to serve in prison. This will obviously deter people from committing such crimes in future.
The Nigerian government should listen to the yearnings of the people to make corruption a capital offence. Also the Nigerian government should realize that there is one way to restore the confidence of Nigerian people, and that is through political will and absolute determination to get things done. Former British Prime Minister (Margaret Thatcher) is an example of a leader whose determination transformed the United Kingdom. Finally, I wish to appeal to Nigerians to participate and join the fight against global warming. Turn off your electrical appliances/lights when not in use. Plant a tree or sponsor one to plant on your behalf. Government and companies should send less paper work and do more email, telephone, and sms. May God bless Nigeria.
Chinedu Vincent Akuta
An activist and leader of “Support Option A4 Group” Leicester-UK
akutachinedu@yahoo.com
http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com/
I will not question the wisdom of Justice Olubunmi Oyewole in giving two and half years as the punishment for Olabode George, but as an ordinary person, I think that only two and half years might be too small for an offence of this magnitude. I also think that this judgement might be counter productive in that people might not be deterred enough from such offences in the future, knowing that the penalty will not be much. We have to remember that the greatest incitement to crime is the hope of escaping punishment. Also the actions of people like our Olabode George runs contrary to what the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo said, “Don’t enjoy in public office what you cannot legitimately enjoy in your private life” He abused office and public trust.
Nigerians will like to see the plans made by the court to recover the money, because this amount (N85 billion naira) can do a lot in terms of generating electricity or providing direct employment. On the other hand, N85 billion can deny and deprive millions of Nigerians what would have been their means of survival. One wonders why many of our people have taken to crime etc as a means of survival. Many people (Olabode George & Co) are actually responsible for the sufferings of Nigerian masses. He (Olabode George) has nothing to loose. He has retired from the Nigerian Navy and a former governor of Ondo State. Became the deputy national chairman (South West) of Peoples Democratic Party and later chairman of board of directors of Nigerian Ports Authority where the abuse of office took place. Simply speaking, this imprisonment will be a good way for him to start his over due retirement.
This now throws a big challenge to Nigerians, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), our judiciary and our government. Nigerians should keep pressure on the government to be serious with her fight against corruption. I understand the frustration encountered by many people who do not see any serious commitment on the part of the authorities to tackle corruption. Nigerians should never, never give up but rather think of how we as individuals or groups can contribute to the fight against corruption. People should volunteer any information that will support the fight against corruption. Though that majority of corrupt cases emanates from top government offices, Nigerians can still do a lot in this struggle against corruption.
The present situation at home (bad roads, unemployment, fallen educational standards, irregular power supply, high crime rates, etc) should be a recipe for all of us to join the fight against corruption. We should realize that these societal problems mentioned above, have direct or indirect linkages to embezzlement of funds. Do we fold our hands and watch while the country collapses? My answer will be no. Lets say no and continue to say no to corrupt officials. I also understand that Nigerian authorities are partially deaf, that means we have to shout out louder till our voices are heard. Let us also take our case to our law makers and our representatives. Who is representing us/our constituency at the House of Representatives? Does he have any contact address (constituency office, telephone, fax, web addresses etc) it might be a good idea to engage our representatives, perhaps put pressure through them. Good people will emerge or bad ones might be converted through our actions.
Things must work in Nigeria because the alternative will be worst than disaster. Every one has a role to play. Politicians must constantly be reminded not to mess about with the future of millions of Nigerians. Each stolen national wealth sends Nigeria and Nigerians backward. I need to remind Nigerians that there is nothing the civil society cannot do, more especially now that we are in civilian rule in Nigeria. With our join efforts, a lot could be achieved.
The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) owe Nigerians a duty to seriously and honestly fight crime, irrespective of who is involved. EFCC should strengthen their commission and be able to catch the big fishes. I need to remind them of what President Obama said in Ghana, that Africa needs strong institutions and not strong men. They (EFCC) are trying but Nigerians expects more considering the level of our decay. Without doubts, the EFCC has the resources to carry out their jobs, but they also need the support of Nigerians. But the problem might be on the will power of their leadership. As it is, the EFCC will have no other excuses to give especially now, that our president has promised not to interfere with their duties.
As a way forward, I will suggest the EFCC to increase their surveillance over banks and other financial institutions. The emphasis should be on crime prevention. As you will agree with me that, prevention is better than cure. The EFCC should infiltrate the financial institutions overtly and covertly. The EFCC should initiate legislation were necessary to boost their operations. The law requiring banks to declare certain amount of monetary transactions should be strictly enforced. Nigerians should try as much as possible to volunteer information to the law enforcement agencies. The authorities cannot do their work very well without the public participation and support. I will suggest that the EFCC should undertake training in China as to how best to fight corruption. Chinese experiences might be a useful one.
The Nigerian judiciary remains the last hope of common people. The efforts of our judiciary have gone a long way towards saving our democracy. Examples include judgement that restored Peter Obi (Anambra State governor), Amaechi (Rivers State governor), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo State) etc. Nigerians will appreciate if the same spirit could be applied to deliver judgements on several corrupt cases against former leaders who looted the national treasury. Justice delay is justice denied. In future, let the Nigerian judges draw lessons from how Justice Olubunmi Oyewole discharged Olabode George’s case in record time (14 months), compared to other Nigerian cases. The Nigerian judiciary should also look at how the American judiciary sentenced Bernard Madoff. He was given over hundred years to serve in prison. This will obviously deter people from committing such crimes in future.
The Nigerian government should listen to the yearnings of the people to make corruption a capital offence. Also the Nigerian government should realize that there is one way to restore the confidence of Nigerian people, and that is through political will and absolute determination to get things done. Former British Prime Minister (Margaret Thatcher) is an example of a leader whose determination transformed the United Kingdom. Finally, I wish to appeal to Nigerians to participate and join the fight against global warming. Turn off your electrical appliances/lights when not in use. Plant a tree or sponsor one to plant on your behalf. Government and companies should send less paper work and do more email, telephone, and sms. May God bless Nigeria.
Chinedu Vincent Akuta
An activist and leader of “Support Option A4 Group” Leicester-UK
akutachinedu@yahoo.com
http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com/
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