Nigeria is in dire need of fundamental changes in all her systems (political, economic, social, etc). Therefore vacant positions have arisen in all parts of Nigeria and in all sections/sectors of our lives for positions of revolutionaries. These positions exist in our families, villages, communities, ward levels, all local government areas, all ministries (state and federal), and all government agencies and in all private sector concerns etc. The entire Nigerian system needs a complete overhauling. Therefore, the Nigerian would be revolutionaries should start with him or herself. Firstly he or she needs to change, then change the families and change his/her immediate environment. Charity begins at home.
Revolutions need not be bloody, but bloody revolutions are preferable. However since the demise of communism, and the collapse of Soviet Union, the prevalence or the rate of occurrence of bloody revolutions have been on the decline. Most revolutions were inspired by Marxist ideologies. Previously former Soviet Union was seen as beacon of hope for people with revolutionary’s ideas. Many revolutionaries at some point or the other had some kind of backing, contacts, training or indoctrinations from the former Soviet Union. Examples are as follows; Late Chairman Mao of China, Fidel Castrol of Cuba, Raul Castro (present Cuban leader following the ill health of his elder brother Fidel Castrol) late Che Guevara, late Salvador Allende (former socialist president of Chile) etc.
Other countries like Libya, Cuba etc have sponsored revolutions at different stages, in different countries of the world. These revolutionary supports took place mainly during the 1970’s and 1980’s. Libya supported Charles Taylor of Liberia and was deeply involved with shipping arms to the Irish Republican Army (IRA). The Irish Americans also supported the Irish Republican Army in Ireland. Cuba had their forces in Angola to support the MPLA.
Other forms of revolution have taken places around the world. Here I will comment briefly about the Islamic revolution in Iran and the Orange revolution in Ukraine. In 1979 Ayatollah Khomeni led an Islamic revolution to topple the Iranian monarchy. Through the revolution led by Khomeni, Iran became an Islamic Republic and introduced theocratic constitution. The Orange revolution took place in Ukraine from November 2004 to early 2005 when the people of Ukraine resisted the attempt by Russia to install a puppet as the leader of Ukraine. The people of Ukraine overwhelmingly voted a pro western government.
Previously colonization, neocolonialism, the struggle for independence, cold war, Apartheid in South Africa, and capitalism (greed and exploitation) were among the motivating factors for revolution in most countries. Ironically these factors do no longer exist, except capitalism and neocolonialism. In Africa, greed, corruption and bad governance exists in greater proportion. However some revolutionaries have emerged in Africa to clean up their societies. People like Jerry Rawlings of Ghana who was nick named Junior Jesus because of his initials J.J. (Jerry John) Rawlings. He cleansed the Ghana politics and retrieved all stolen government monies from corrupt Ghanaian politicians. He laid down the foundation of the present democratic system of government in Ghana. He preached to Ghanaians to demand accountability from their leaders. The Libyan leader (Col. Gadaffi) once said that it was the Rawlings revolution that saved Ghana.
In Nigeria we have had people like late General Murtala Mohammed, General Buhari (both military ex heads of state) and General Tunde Idiagbon. They tried to clean up the Nigerian system but their administrations were short lived. Many Nigerians are revolutionaries in their own rights, and revolution can take place in any sector or start from any segment of our society. Here I will mention Chief Gani Fawehinmi (Senior Advocate of the masses), Gani’s efforts have changed the Nigerian landscape. Many other Nigerians too, have brought outstanding changes in various spheres of Nigerian society. Internationally we have people like Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King etc. I consider these people revolutionaries in their own rights.
Many of us, who are praying for change to happen in our motherland, are advised to start the change process wherever they are. Let’s change for good. I will agree with late Michael Jackson when he sang in one of his songs (Man in the mirror) that if you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make a change. In the same way, Nigerians should first take a look at themselves and start the change. We have role models to copy or follow their ideas. If a small percentage of us start this change process wherever they are and be consistent, then there could be hope to revive Nigeria. We have to remember that we have a choice to either save Nigeria or sink Nigeria. To save Nigeria we have a duty to start the change process immediately. Every little positive effort will matter a lot. Failure to save Nigeria will be disastrous.
But I must caution people that, there will be no quick fix to Nigeria’s problem. Changing the entire Nigerian system will be a difficult project; therefore we should be prepared for a tough project. Many of us will resist changes. Change itself is difficult. Many of Nigerians who are below 40 years have known no other system except the present day Nigerian system. Therefore changing more than half of the population will be tough and challenging. This is the more reason why any person that desires change should start changing his/her environment in any small way that is possible.
The grassroots will be a good starting point for changes. Change comes not from the top down but from the ground up. Management of people at the grassroots is very essential for any successful change. Revolutionaries all over the world have high sense of patriotism and have introduced positive changes to the lives of their people. Same should apply to Nigerians seeking to start quiet revolution or change. Henceforth it will be ideal for Nigerians to be thinking of individual/private sector led change of the Nigerian system. There are a lot of changes that the civil society can spearhead. Also changing Nigeria is burden for all of us, therefore the earlier we start changing our nation the better for all of us. 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, September 13, 2009
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Chief Gani Fawehinmi is Not Dead.
“For those who know him, no word is necessary; for those who do not know him, no word is sufficient” W.T. Horngren. (An American Author)
For people who know Chief Gani Fawehinmi, no word is necessary, for those who do not know him, no word is sufficient enough to describe him. Ever since the poor health of Chief Gani Fawehinmi, I was praying and asking God to spare us this man of justice. When his illness became serious, a noticeable vacuum existed because none can perform his role. I consider my generation a lucky generation having lived to see his excellent works. Without doubt, you (Chief Gani Fawehinmi) inspired millions of Nigerians including my humble self. You showed Nigerians that we can pursue justice despite the odds. Nigeria and Nigerians have indeed lost a giant. You were like a jewel of inestimable value.
You were like a rock to Nigerians, no wonder why the Nigerian people whom you represented very well, gave you the title of Senior Advocate of the Masses. The International Bar Association did not forget you. The also honoured you. You cannot die because your legacies and ideas will live forever. According to late John F. Kennedy (former American President) “A man may die, nations may rise and fall, but an idea lives on”. Your legacies are carved in stone and you will forever remain in the minds of Nigerians. The greatness of a man is measured by what he lived and died for. You lived your life for the oppressed Nigerians. You stood for them and fought their battles for them. We cannot forget you.
As a young man, I was amazed and inspired by the way you pursued the case of Dele Giwa’s death. I remembered how you presented the case of Dele Giwa’s death at the Oputa Panel. Am glad about the fact that many of us have decided to follow the path which you have shown us. That is the path of justice, equality, activism, and fair play. As a human right crusader, your achievements are outstanding. Your contribution to the Nigerian Bar speaks for itself. I am not a lawyer but I know that you wrote a lot of law books. These books are highly rated and sort after.
I will not forget to mention when on a television interview (Charley Boy Show), a former military head of state (General Ibrahim Babangida) said that, you Chief Gani Fawehinmi was the only Nigerian he respected. I watched the kind of respect you were given at the Oputa panel by Oputa himself. I was moved when on May 29th 2009 at the state of the Nigerian nation symposium held in London Metropolitan University, where Mallam Nuhu Ribadu (former Executive Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission) said that, he considers you (Gani Fawehinmi) as his brother much more than Atiku Abubakar (Former Vice President of Nigeria), who comes from his own village.
Gani Fawehinmi showed us the path of honour when he turned down the offer of a national award (Officer of the Federal Republic) which president Yar Adua wanted to confer on him in 2008. Among his reasons were that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) led government has betrayed the Nigerian people.
I will not forget your numerous charity projects all over the country. You are an exemplary philanthropist. I remember encouraging one of my cousins to apply for your scholarship scheme. Many Nigerians irrespective of tribes or religion benefited immensely from your scholarship scheme. I will not forget to mention the cases you handled free of charge (pro bono) for many Nigerians, of particular mention here was the cases of some expelled students whom you made sure they were reinstated. You were a source of hope to so many students’ union leaders through out the country. I am sure that without your efforts Nigeria would have been worst than it is today.
You fought all the military governments in Nigeria using the instrumentality of the law. You understood the law and the law understood you. Am sure all the military leaders sent you to jail. You were detained and jailed for more than 30 times. On a particular instance Gashua prison became the choice of the military junta in an attempt to break your spirit (apologies if I spelled Gashua wrongly). You proved them wrong. You came out stronger. You became a torn in the flesh of all military leaders. Infact the fear of Chief Gani Fawehinmi became the beginning of wisdom for those ex military leaders. You became a rallying point for resistance against military and civilian dictatorships. You were fearless and forever bold. You were the people’s hero
You were also a symbol of democracy having won the case against Independent National Electoral Commission’s decision not to register more parties. You freed the Nigerian political terrain by this singular landmark judgment. Your National Conscience Party epitomized the aspirations of Nigerian people. I thank my God for being a member of this party (NCP). When you contested the 2003 election as the presidential candidate of National Conscience Party, Nigerians wanted you, but the establishments were not comfortable that you were a candidate for that election. You remain the best leader that never occupied the seat at Aso Rock Villa. Had you won the election to become the president of Nigeria, may be our oppressors would either be in exile or behind bars.
Your death on Saturday 5th September 2009 has left a vacuum too big to be filled. None can ever fit into your shoes. Be that as it may, what died was the body. However the spirit, ideas, and legacies will continue to live. That is why I said you have not died, when I title this attribute to you. I will take solace in the fact that you have shown us the light and we will find the way. The struggle to better Nigeria, which you were the champion, will still continue by virtue of the ideas you left behind.
I owe my activism to Chief Gani Fawehinmi. Am also sure that millions of Nigerians owe theirs to this wonderful Nigerian who has inspired many of us. We will celebrate your wonderful life and achievements. May your soul rest in peace and may God help us to produce many Gani Fawehinmi’s in our country. 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/
For people who know Chief Gani Fawehinmi, no word is necessary, for those who do not know him, no word is sufficient enough to describe him. Ever since the poor health of Chief Gani Fawehinmi, I was praying and asking God to spare us this man of justice. When his illness became serious, a noticeable vacuum existed because none can perform his role. I consider my generation a lucky generation having lived to see his excellent works. Without doubt, you (Chief Gani Fawehinmi) inspired millions of Nigerians including my humble self. You showed Nigerians that we can pursue justice despite the odds. Nigeria and Nigerians have indeed lost a giant. You were like a jewel of inestimable value.
You were like a rock to Nigerians, no wonder why the Nigerian people whom you represented very well, gave you the title of Senior Advocate of the Masses. The International Bar Association did not forget you. The also honoured you. You cannot die because your legacies and ideas will live forever. According to late John F. Kennedy (former American President) “A man may die, nations may rise and fall, but an idea lives on”. Your legacies are carved in stone and you will forever remain in the minds of Nigerians. The greatness of a man is measured by what he lived and died for. You lived your life for the oppressed Nigerians. You stood for them and fought their battles for them. We cannot forget you.
As a young man, I was amazed and inspired by the way you pursued the case of Dele Giwa’s death. I remembered how you presented the case of Dele Giwa’s death at the Oputa Panel. Am glad about the fact that many of us have decided to follow the path which you have shown us. That is the path of justice, equality, activism, and fair play. As a human right crusader, your achievements are outstanding. Your contribution to the Nigerian Bar speaks for itself. I am not a lawyer but I know that you wrote a lot of law books. These books are highly rated and sort after.
I will not forget to mention when on a television interview (Charley Boy Show), a former military head of state (General Ibrahim Babangida) said that, you Chief Gani Fawehinmi was the only Nigerian he respected. I watched the kind of respect you were given at the Oputa panel by Oputa himself. I was moved when on May 29th 2009 at the state of the Nigerian nation symposium held in London Metropolitan University, where Mallam Nuhu Ribadu (former Executive Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission) said that, he considers you (Gani Fawehinmi) as his brother much more than Atiku Abubakar (Former Vice President of Nigeria), who comes from his own village.
Gani Fawehinmi showed us the path of honour when he turned down the offer of a national award (Officer of the Federal Republic) which president Yar Adua wanted to confer on him in 2008. Among his reasons were that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) led government has betrayed the Nigerian people.
I will not forget your numerous charity projects all over the country. You are an exemplary philanthropist. I remember encouraging one of my cousins to apply for your scholarship scheme. Many Nigerians irrespective of tribes or religion benefited immensely from your scholarship scheme. I will not forget to mention the cases you handled free of charge (pro bono) for many Nigerians, of particular mention here was the cases of some expelled students whom you made sure they were reinstated. You were a source of hope to so many students’ union leaders through out the country. I am sure that without your efforts Nigeria would have been worst than it is today.
You fought all the military governments in Nigeria using the instrumentality of the law. You understood the law and the law understood you. Am sure all the military leaders sent you to jail. You were detained and jailed for more than 30 times. On a particular instance Gashua prison became the choice of the military junta in an attempt to break your spirit (apologies if I spelled Gashua wrongly). You proved them wrong. You came out stronger. You became a torn in the flesh of all military leaders. Infact the fear of Chief Gani Fawehinmi became the beginning of wisdom for those ex military leaders. You became a rallying point for resistance against military and civilian dictatorships. You were fearless and forever bold. You were the people’s hero
You were also a symbol of democracy having won the case against Independent National Electoral Commission’s decision not to register more parties. You freed the Nigerian political terrain by this singular landmark judgment. Your National Conscience Party epitomized the aspirations of Nigerian people. I thank my God for being a member of this party (NCP). When you contested the 2003 election as the presidential candidate of National Conscience Party, Nigerians wanted you, but the establishments were not comfortable that you were a candidate for that election. You remain the best leader that never occupied the seat at Aso Rock Villa. Had you won the election to become the president of Nigeria, may be our oppressors would either be in exile or behind bars.
Your death on Saturday 5th September 2009 has left a vacuum too big to be filled. None can ever fit into your shoes. Be that as it may, what died was the body. However the spirit, ideas, and legacies will continue to live. That is why I said you have not died, when I title this attribute to you. I will take solace in the fact that you have shown us the light and we will find the way. The struggle to better Nigeria, which you were the champion, will still continue by virtue of the ideas you left behind.
I owe my activism to Chief Gani Fawehinmi. Am also sure that millions of Nigerians owe theirs to this wonderful Nigerian who has inspired many of us. We will celebrate your wonderful life and achievements. May your soul rest in peace and may God help us to produce many Gani Fawehinmi’s in our country. 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/
Monday, August 31, 2009
Landmark Elections and the Winning Formula
Globally some elections have left behind some landmark features. In some cases, these features were responsible for wining the incumbent or the ruling party, an example is Ghana. In other places (Kenya and Zimbabwe) it has led to the sharing of power between the opposition leaders and the incumbent president. These landmark characteristics can be a winning formula, an example was the last American presidential election. In some instances, these features have been responsible for many controversial elections worldwide (June 12 Iran and June 12 Nigeria). Be that as it may, these notable qualities are worthy to be examined and many lessons can be learnt from it.
The key appears to be the selection of the right candidate(s). That is the popular candidates and people’s choice. During the 1993 presidential election in Nigeria, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) won the presidential election because of the selection of Abiola and Kingibe. It was obvious that Abiola was more popular than Tofa who was the presidential candidate of National Republican Convention (NRC). Tofa was no match to Abiola. Both political parties (SDP and NRC) won different electoral positions in the country due mainly to their choice of candidates. (I have used the 1992/1993 elections in Nigeria as a reference point, because it was the only free and fair elections in Nigeria.).
In Iran, the entrance of Khatami in the presidential campaign of Musavi provided him with enough supporters. Opinion poll suggested Musavi will win the incumbent, but the hardliners didn’t want that. (As at the time of writing this article, Musavi is still contesting the Iranian presidential election result). In Ghana the selection of Atta Mills by the National Democratic Congress contributed to their winning. In Zimbabwe, the electorate voted Morgan Tsvangirai of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) because he was popular and was a symbol of change. Morgan Tsvangirai won the election, but the incumbent (Robert Mugabe) refused to quit office. After much negotiation, Morgan formed a joint government with the incumbent president and became the prime minister. Similar incident happened in Kenya. Selecting the right candidates will be instrumental towards wining the incumbent especially in the developing countries where the incumbents have unlimited access to the resources of the state.
A closer examination has revealed that most landmark elections witnessed large voter turnouts. June 12 1993 presidential election in Nigeria had large voter turnouts. Same happened on June 12 2009 presidential elections in Iran. The 2008 Ghana elections where the opposition party won the party in power witnessed large voter turnouts. The last American presidential election witnessed a 64% turnout. The highest since the 1960’s and in terms of sheer numbers was the largest ever. A high voter turnout is a function of effective political mobilization. The last South African election that brought Jacob Zuma to power had a larger voter turnout.
Education, experiences and exposure of candidates have roles to play. President Atta Mills of Ghana is a university professor of law. Before this time he was the vice president under Rawlings regime. Many Americans believes that Sarah Palin (ex Republican Vice Presidential candidate) was instrumental to McCain lost of election to Obama. Sarah Palin was not able to mention a name of a single newspaper or magazine which she has read. She was unaware that Africa was not a country but a whole continent. She could not also name the countries that are members of the North American Free Trade Agreement which are (US, Mexico, and Canada).
Nigerians were discussing about the fact that President Musa Yar’Adua is the first university graduate to rule Nigeria. Academic certificates are now a big factor in politics and elections. On the other hand, forgeries of academic certificates have brought many down from high political positions. In Iran, former interior minister (Ali Kordan) was sacked for faking a law degree from Oxford University United Kingdom. In Nigeria, Salisu Buhari (former speaker of the House of Representatives) was forced to resign after discovering that he forged his certificates.
Information technology (internet, sms/text messages, mobile telephones, etc) have shaped elections. In America, the Obama campaign organization made use of over 1 billion text messages during his campaign. Obama campaign team maintained contacts with supporters largely through the internet. In Ukraine, the Orange revolution has been described as the internet revolution. This is because of the roles internet played in ushering in pro western/pro capitalist administration. In Iran, information technology enabled the opposition leaders to continue disseminating information to the outside world about the controversial June 12 2009 presidential elections. It’s worthy to note here that the Iranian authorities tried to restrict the flow of information when people started protesting the election result. Gordon Brown (the United Kingdom Prime Minister) uses the youtube (an internet facility) for his campaign.
Finance is another issue. As at October 15th 2008, before the November 4th 2008 American presidential election, the United States Federal Electoral Commission revealed that McCain campaign organization had spent $262 million dollars while Obama had spent $564 million dollars. Interestingly, bulk of Obama’s funding came from donations from ordinary Americans that needed change. As little as $1 dollar or less were donated to the Obama campaign organization. Funding might likely be a problem in the developing countries where the incumbents use state funds to campaign against the opposition. In Nigeria, the incumbent buy the voters or bribe voters.
Ages of the candidates seeking political offices are becoming very big determinants. In the western world, voters tend to follow younger leaders. David Cameron (leader of the Conservative Party in the UK) is tipped to be the next prime minister much due to his younger age. Usually ages 30 to 50 years old is more preferable. McCain (the last Republican Presidential candidate of America) was 72 years when he contested. Many voters felt he was well over the retirement age. Political parties in Nigeria should follow this example by choosing younger people to vie for elective positions.
Anti incumbency sentiments or in the case of Nigeria anti god father sentiments can alter the voting pattern. Voters can a times choose a candidate or vote against a candidate on sympathy basis. People can do this either because they hate the sponsors or god fathers in the case of Nigeria. In the South Eastern part of Nigeria, many candidates lost elections because their god father was Chief Arthur Nzeribe. Similar incident happened in America when people got fade up with Bush administration and his Republican Party, as such McCain suffered for it. Economic issues like high unemployment, rising national debts of a country etc can change the direction of elections. The defeat of the Japanese ruling party after nearly 54 years in power were partly as a result of Japanese economic problems.
Finally, the corrupt electoral system in Nigeria might be a hindrance to some of the features mentioned above from working in Nigeria. However the remain the winning formula for credible Nigerians seeking elective offices. 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/
The key appears to be the selection of the right candidate(s). That is the popular candidates and people’s choice. During the 1993 presidential election in Nigeria, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) won the presidential election because of the selection of Abiola and Kingibe. It was obvious that Abiola was more popular than Tofa who was the presidential candidate of National Republican Convention (NRC). Tofa was no match to Abiola. Both political parties (SDP and NRC) won different electoral positions in the country due mainly to their choice of candidates. (I have used the 1992/1993 elections in Nigeria as a reference point, because it was the only free and fair elections in Nigeria.).
In Iran, the entrance of Khatami in the presidential campaign of Musavi provided him with enough supporters. Opinion poll suggested Musavi will win the incumbent, but the hardliners didn’t want that. (As at the time of writing this article, Musavi is still contesting the Iranian presidential election result). In Ghana the selection of Atta Mills by the National Democratic Congress contributed to their winning. In Zimbabwe, the electorate voted Morgan Tsvangirai of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) because he was popular and was a symbol of change. Morgan Tsvangirai won the election, but the incumbent (Robert Mugabe) refused to quit office. After much negotiation, Morgan formed a joint government with the incumbent president and became the prime minister. Similar incident happened in Kenya. Selecting the right candidates will be instrumental towards wining the incumbent especially in the developing countries where the incumbents have unlimited access to the resources of the state.
A closer examination has revealed that most landmark elections witnessed large voter turnouts. June 12 1993 presidential election in Nigeria had large voter turnouts. Same happened on June 12 2009 presidential elections in Iran. The 2008 Ghana elections where the opposition party won the party in power witnessed large voter turnouts. The last American presidential election witnessed a 64% turnout. The highest since the 1960’s and in terms of sheer numbers was the largest ever. A high voter turnout is a function of effective political mobilization. The last South African election that brought Jacob Zuma to power had a larger voter turnout.
Education, experiences and exposure of candidates have roles to play. President Atta Mills of Ghana is a university professor of law. Before this time he was the vice president under Rawlings regime. Many Americans believes that Sarah Palin (ex Republican Vice Presidential candidate) was instrumental to McCain lost of election to Obama. Sarah Palin was not able to mention a name of a single newspaper or magazine which she has read. She was unaware that Africa was not a country but a whole continent. She could not also name the countries that are members of the North American Free Trade Agreement which are (US, Mexico, and Canada).
Nigerians were discussing about the fact that President Musa Yar’Adua is the first university graduate to rule Nigeria. Academic certificates are now a big factor in politics and elections. On the other hand, forgeries of academic certificates have brought many down from high political positions. In Iran, former interior minister (Ali Kordan) was sacked for faking a law degree from Oxford University United Kingdom. In Nigeria, Salisu Buhari (former speaker of the House of Representatives) was forced to resign after discovering that he forged his certificates.
Information technology (internet, sms/text messages, mobile telephones, etc) have shaped elections. In America, the Obama campaign organization made use of over 1 billion text messages during his campaign. Obama campaign team maintained contacts with supporters largely through the internet. In Ukraine, the Orange revolution has been described as the internet revolution. This is because of the roles internet played in ushering in pro western/pro capitalist administration. In Iran, information technology enabled the opposition leaders to continue disseminating information to the outside world about the controversial June 12 2009 presidential elections. It’s worthy to note here that the Iranian authorities tried to restrict the flow of information when people started protesting the election result. Gordon Brown (the United Kingdom Prime Minister) uses the youtube (an internet facility) for his campaign.
Finance is another issue. As at October 15th 2008, before the November 4th 2008 American presidential election, the United States Federal Electoral Commission revealed that McCain campaign organization had spent $262 million dollars while Obama had spent $564 million dollars. Interestingly, bulk of Obama’s funding came from donations from ordinary Americans that needed change. As little as $1 dollar or less were donated to the Obama campaign organization. Funding might likely be a problem in the developing countries where the incumbents use state funds to campaign against the opposition. In Nigeria, the incumbent buy the voters or bribe voters.
Ages of the candidates seeking political offices are becoming very big determinants. In the western world, voters tend to follow younger leaders. David Cameron (leader of the Conservative Party in the UK) is tipped to be the next prime minister much due to his younger age. Usually ages 30 to 50 years old is more preferable. McCain (the last Republican Presidential candidate of America) was 72 years when he contested. Many voters felt he was well over the retirement age. Political parties in Nigeria should follow this example by choosing younger people to vie for elective positions.
Anti incumbency sentiments or in the case of Nigeria anti god father sentiments can alter the voting pattern. Voters can a times choose a candidate or vote against a candidate on sympathy basis. People can do this either because they hate the sponsors or god fathers in the case of Nigeria. In the South Eastern part of Nigeria, many candidates lost elections because their god father was Chief Arthur Nzeribe. Similar incident happened in America when people got fade up with Bush administration and his Republican Party, as such McCain suffered for it. Economic issues like high unemployment, rising national debts of a country etc can change the direction of elections. The defeat of the Japanese ruling party after nearly 54 years in power were partly as a result of Japanese economic problems.
Finally, the corrupt electoral system in Nigeria might be a hindrance to some of the features mentioned above from working in Nigeria. However the remain the winning formula for credible Nigerians seeking elective offices. 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, August 23, 2009
Nigeria’s Weekly Woes.
In Nigeria, its one week one trouble or even more. Some authors have described Nigeria as a theatre and Nigerians the actors. Less than a month ago we were talking about the Niger Delta crisis, the militants, and the federal government amnesty. Hardly have we finished talking about the above, did the Boko Haram crisis erupted. As the Boko Haram troubles were about to die down, then came what I call the “Nigerian banking crisis” (Central Bank of Nigeria’s sacking of five bank chiefs and the astonishing in house revelations). By the time this crisis will die down, another national crisis will come up. I want to be proven wrong.
The Central Bank Governor (Lamido Sanusi) has simply done his job by sacking some bank executives for what I call gross misconduct. However for him (the Central Bank Governor) to complete this job, he need to also sack those Central Bank officials that continued to grant these banks facilities, despite their ailing financial state. Will this exercise started by the Central Bank Governor lead to another banking reform or full blown banking crisis? I will believe the later. Be that as it may, I know there will certainly be changes with the commercial banks. I wish to use this medium to suggest to the Central Bank Governor (Lamido Sanusi), to use his position and stop our commercial banks from sending young ladies and men running after people begging for cash to be deposited in their banks. The amount of targets given to banks staffs to get is simply outrageous.
It appears that the special units at the Central Bank of Nigeria, who are responsible for monitoring commercial banks, have failed in their duty or they are part of these non performing loans. Otherwise why didn’t they prevent this mess from happening? Who and who were responsible for this unit at the Central Bank? Why did the ex Central Bank Governor (Chukwuma Soludo) told the Nigerian Senate and Nigerians that all were good with all commercial banks in Nigeria?. Why did the past Central bank management connive to misinform the Nigerian public by deliberately covering these banks? Nigerians deserve a lot more explanations.
The Central Bank has also published the names, companies and their directors who have put these banks and the nation in this crisis. However this detailed list of these bank debtors has equally shown that, these are men and women who frequent the corridors of power, for example Dangote, Otedola, etc. Let’s not forget that this same Dangote was unanimously voted the chairman of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Transnational Corp of Nigeria Plc, who has Prof Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke as one of their directors, is also heavily indebted. Prof Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke is the Director General of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
The Central Bank has asked these bank debtors (Dangote, Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke, Alhaji Arisekola Alao etc) to pay their debts or the CBN will take appropriate legal actions to ensure payments. Could the Central Bank be kind enough to tell Nigerians what these legal actions would be? Could this be a criminal case? Can the Central Bank move against these directors? Will the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arrest these debtors? Which reminds me, I read that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested some of the sacked former bank chief executives. To achieve a balance and fairness, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) should arrest immediately the debtors and those Central Bank officials who failed in their duties to spot this. There is no point arresting or declaring only the bank executives wanted. The debtors and some Central Bank officials should also face the music at the same time.
The Central Bank should make public the financial state of the remaining banks. The federal government and the National Assembly should intervene immediately on this matter. The affected banks should also be nationalized pending when these debts will be recovered, and that is if it will ever be recovered. Those bank executives who have gone into hiding should report themselves to the EFCC immediately. Nigerians should volunteer information to the law enforcement agents on the whereabouts of these people. Going underground means they have something to hide. Those that have relocated to abroad should remember the case of three British Natwest Bankers (David Bermingham, Gary Mulgrew and Giles Darby) that were extradited to the United States to face charges connected to Enron fraud case. The Nigerian authorities should sign extradition treaties (if there are none already) with western countries so that Nigerians who commit crimes at home and run away can be extradited back home to face charges.
The pains of this mess will eventually be borne by the innocent Nigerian masses that already have too much problems. The Central Bank should also use their privileged position to expose other shady financial transactions by all ministries, government departments and agencies, especially the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. These revelations by the Central Bank might be a child’s play if the Central Bank should expose other sectors. Obviously this has made a mess of the banking reforms carried out by former Central Bank Governor (Soludo) who is also a beneficiary of the non performing loans that is causing this banking crisis in Nigeria.
The sacking of these bank executives and subsequent revelations about their financial state might trigger a ripple effect like mass withdrawal of funds. Nigerians know the pains of collapsed banks. Many innocent bank customers have died in the past as a result heart attacks occasioned by collapsed banks. Businesses have closed and many families made destitute as a result. I see no reasons why there will not be mass cash withdrawals as experiences have taught Nigerians bitter lessons.
On the international scene, this will further drive away foreign investors. Even the Nigerians in Diaspora will be reluctant to invest at this rate. Investor confidence is no more. Am sure local investors in Nigeria will be too scared which bank to do business with? Events are made worst due to global economic recession. Many sectors of the Nigeria’s economy will suffer as a result of this banking crisis. The “government’s economic policies” like vision 2020 might also be affected.
The Guardian newspaper of Wednesday August 19th 2009 (online version) reported that the Central Bank of Nigeria is planning a road show in the United Kingdom to explain its action and the soundness of the Nigerian banking industry to the international community. I think this might be a waste of time and resources because the international community will ask the Central Bank that is organizing the road show, why didn’t they spot these problems earlier and why did the (CBN) continue granting these five banks facilities when their books were not in order. The Central Bank should concentrate on cleaning up the banks. The positive impact of your (CBN) sanitization exercise in the banks will convince the international community. 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/
The Central Bank Governor (Lamido Sanusi) has simply done his job by sacking some bank executives for what I call gross misconduct. However for him (the Central Bank Governor) to complete this job, he need to also sack those Central Bank officials that continued to grant these banks facilities, despite their ailing financial state. Will this exercise started by the Central Bank Governor lead to another banking reform or full blown banking crisis? I will believe the later. Be that as it may, I know there will certainly be changes with the commercial banks. I wish to use this medium to suggest to the Central Bank Governor (Lamido Sanusi), to use his position and stop our commercial banks from sending young ladies and men running after people begging for cash to be deposited in their banks. The amount of targets given to banks staffs to get is simply outrageous.
It appears that the special units at the Central Bank of Nigeria, who are responsible for monitoring commercial banks, have failed in their duty or they are part of these non performing loans. Otherwise why didn’t they prevent this mess from happening? Who and who were responsible for this unit at the Central Bank? Why did the ex Central Bank Governor (Chukwuma Soludo) told the Nigerian Senate and Nigerians that all were good with all commercial banks in Nigeria?. Why did the past Central bank management connive to misinform the Nigerian public by deliberately covering these banks? Nigerians deserve a lot more explanations.
The Central Bank has also published the names, companies and their directors who have put these banks and the nation in this crisis. However this detailed list of these bank debtors has equally shown that, these are men and women who frequent the corridors of power, for example Dangote, Otedola, etc. Let’s not forget that this same Dangote was unanimously voted the chairman of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Transnational Corp of Nigeria Plc, who has Prof Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke as one of their directors, is also heavily indebted. Prof Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke is the Director General of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
The Central Bank has asked these bank debtors (Dangote, Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke, Alhaji Arisekola Alao etc) to pay their debts or the CBN will take appropriate legal actions to ensure payments. Could the Central Bank be kind enough to tell Nigerians what these legal actions would be? Could this be a criminal case? Can the Central Bank move against these directors? Will the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arrest these debtors? Which reminds me, I read that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested some of the sacked former bank chief executives. To achieve a balance and fairness, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) should arrest immediately the debtors and those Central Bank officials who failed in their duties to spot this. There is no point arresting or declaring only the bank executives wanted. The debtors and some Central Bank officials should also face the music at the same time.
The Central Bank should make public the financial state of the remaining banks. The federal government and the National Assembly should intervene immediately on this matter. The affected banks should also be nationalized pending when these debts will be recovered, and that is if it will ever be recovered. Those bank executives who have gone into hiding should report themselves to the EFCC immediately. Nigerians should volunteer information to the law enforcement agents on the whereabouts of these people. Going underground means they have something to hide. Those that have relocated to abroad should remember the case of three British Natwest Bankers (David Bermingham, Gary Mulgrew and Giles Darby) that were extradited to the United States to face charges connected to Enron fraud case. The Nigerian authorities should sign extradition treaties (if there are none already) with western countries so that Nigerians who commit crimes at home and run away can be extradited back home to face charges.
The pains of this mess will eventually be borne by the innocent Nigerian masses that already have too much problems. The Central Bank should also use their privileged position to expose other shady financial transactions by all ministries, government departments and agencies, especially the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. These revelations by the Central Bank might be a child’s play if the Central Bank should expose other sectors. Obviously this has made a mess of the banking reforms carried out by former Central Bank Governor (Soludo) who is also a beneficiary of the non performing loans that is causing this banking crisis in Nigeria.
The sacking of these bank executives and subsequent revelations about their financial state might trigger a ripple effect like mass withdrawal of funds. Nigerians know the pains of collapsed banks. Many innocent bank customers have died in the past as a result heart attacks occasioned by collapsed banks. Businesses have closed and many families made destitute as a result. I see no reasons why there will not be mass cash withdrawals as experiences have taught Nigerians bitter lessons.
On the international scene, this will further drive away foreign investors. Even the Nigerians in Diaspora will be reluctant to invest at this rate. Investor confidence is no more. Am sure local investors in Nigeria will be too scared which bank to do business with? Events are made worst due to global economic recession. Many sectors of the Nigeria’s economy will suffer as a result of this banking crisis. The “government’s economic policies” like vision 2020 might also be affected.
The Guardian newspaper of Wednesday August 19th 2009 (online version) reported that the Central Bank of Nigeria is planning a road show in the United Kingdom to explain its action and the soundness of the Nigerian banking industry to the international community. I think this might be a waste of time and resources because the international community will ask the Central Bank that is organizing the road show, why didn’t they spot these problems earlier and why did the (CBN) continue granting these five banks facilities when their books were not in order. The Central Bank should concentrate on cleaning up the banks. The positive impact of your (CBN) sanitization exercise in the banks will convince the international community. 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/
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Digital Cameras and Mobile Phones with Camera.
The ideal situation would be free, fair and transparent elections in Nigeria. Presently, except there is a miracle and the National Assembly passes the Justice Uwais recommendation on electoral reforms, there will still be rigging (I want to be proven wrong). Assuming the National Assembly passes this bill, it still needs to be tasted with an election so as ascertain its efficacy or determine if its fowl proof or not. For me and my group, Option A4 remains the best electoral system, because it has been tasted and trusted. The present electoral system gives enough room for electoral fraud and manipulations, which in turn produces long and painful post electoral litigations. (I did a detailed article on post electoral litigations published on my web blog; briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com and other national and international media).
Am sure that as 2011 general election approaches, many corrupt politicians will be strategizing on how to rig elections. Patriotic Nigerians should also be thinking of how to counter electoral fraud or at best how to provide evidences to the law courts that will count against fraudulent electoral victories. Both the ruling party and the opposition parties might find my advice very useful. I will suggest that Nigerians buy digital cameras and mobile phones with camera as part of our preparation for the 2011 general election. The whole idea will be for people to record every event that happens around each pooling booth, more especially to record on tape the actual number of voters that will turn up for voting. This method will automatically contradict any manipulation of numbers at the collection centers or when the authorities decide to announce something different.
Video records of elections should then be posted to all media houses, and those with internet access should upload to YouTube or other internet websites so that it will be transmitted worldwide instantly. Video evidences can change situations and force accountability. The video recording of where the leader of Boko Haram (Yussuf) was captured alive and his subsequent death in police custody has forced the Nigerian President (Musa Yar’Adua) to order immediate probe. The video recordings of Yussuf’s interrogation by the Nigerian law enforcement agents are already on the YouTube. As a matter of fact, the African Independent Television (AIT) showed clips of the YouTube video of Yussuf on Friday 7th August 2009 during their politics and current affairs programme (Focus Nigeria).
In the West Bank, B’tslem (an award winning human rights organization) distributed about one hundred video cameras to its activists to secretly record Israeli shooting of innocent Palestinians. The video evidences compelled the Israeli Defence Force to order investigations and offer explanations. In the United Kingdom, a New York investment banker recorded a violent police action against a newspaper seller (Ian Tomlinson) just before he died during the G20 protest in London on April 1 2009. Scotland Yard (UK police in charge of policing the G20 summit are under serious investigation as a result of the video footage).
Citing the importance of video evidences, the British government installed more than five million close circuit televisions (CCTV) all over the country. There are more close circuit televisions (CCTV) in the United Kingdom than any where in the world. In addition speed cameras are every where in the United Kingdom and other western societies. These devices have proven very useful in the fight against crimes in the western societies.
In Iraq, Blackwater employees (staffs of a contracting firm that works for American diplomats in Iraq) who were on vehicle escort duty in central Iraq shot dead about seventy civilians whom they claimed threatened them. A key element that contradicted their claim was a video shot by someone who happened to be there. The video was broadcast to people and it immediately raised questions about the credibility of Blackwater. The video footage became a key factor for the political tide that turned against the Blackwater contractors. Within few months five Blackwater personnel were facing manslaughter charges in the US, and the State Department advisory panel recommended that Blackwater be dropped as a contractor for American diplomats in Iraq.
This equipment (digital camera and mobile phone with camera) can be pocket sized and within reasonable cost, meaning that many people can lay their hands on them. This method can reveal institutional vulnerability. Using the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as a case study, video recordings on each pooling station can mar attempts to rig elections or at least provide evidences that could give victory to actual winners. The entire Nigerian public needs to give serious thoughts to this advice.
Non Governmental Organizations (NGO’s), community groups, labour unions, political parties, students groups etc should teach themselves and others how to record events using this simple technology (digital cameras and mobile phones with camera). This should be in preparation for the coming 2011 general elections. People might take for granted this digital technology, whereas in actual fact, it could do a lot to force accountability on the part of government and most influential people. It will also guarantee information transparency.
Another method to enforce accountability on our rulers will be for Nigerians to increase their surveillance of our rulers. Rulers are public servants; therefore their lives should be a public concern. Nigerians should be free to spy and expose their rulers. In the western societies, spying on leaders are very common. It’s a good mechanism to put leaders on check. In May 2009, spying on British MPs’ led to revelations about their expenses scandal. Over 182 MPs’ from all parties were indicted. British MPs repaid nearly half a million pounds in expenses money claimed since 2003. Many MPs are no longer standing for election due to this scandal. In a related development, Alan Duncan (a member of British House of Commons) was secretly filmed complaining about MPs’ pay and expenses. He apologized to the nation over his behavior.
Nigerians can adopt the measures outlined above in our efforts to build a better nation. The key to succeeding in the above ventures will be when all of us become active participants or support one another to undertake the ideas so expressed. 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/
Am sure that as 2011 general election approaches, many corrupt politicians will be strategizing on how to rig elections. Patriotic Nigerians should also be thinking of how to counter electoral fraud or at best how to provide evidences to the law courts that will count against fraudulent electoral victories. Both the ruling party and the opposition parties might find my advice very useful. I will suggest that Nigerians buy digital cameras and mobile phones with camera as part of our preparation for the 2011 general election. The whole idea will be for people to record every event that happens around each pooling booth, more especially to record on tape the actual number of voters that will turn up for voting. This method will automatically contradict any manipulation of numbers at the collection centers or when the authorities decide to announce something different.
Video records of elections should then be posted to all media houses, and those with internet access should upload to YouTube or other internet websites so that it will be transmitted worldwide instantly. Video evidences can change situations and force accountability. The video recording of where the leader of Boko Haram (Yussuf) was captured alive and his subsequent death in police custody has forced the Nigerian President (Musa Yar’Adua) to order immediate probe. The video recordings of Yussuf’s interrogation by the Nigerian law enforcement agents are already on the YouTube. As a matter of fact, the African Independent Television (AIT) showed clips of the YouTube video of Yussuf on Friday 7th August 2009 during their politics and current affairs programme (Focus Nigeria).
In the West Bank, B’tslem (an award winning human rights organization) distributed about one hundred video cameras to its activists to secretly record Israeli shooting of innocent Palestinians. The video evidences compelled the Israeli Defence Force to order investigations and offer explanations. In the United Kingdom, a New York investment banker recorded a violent police action against a newspaper seller (Ian Tomlinson) just before he died during the G20 protest in London on April 1 2009. Scotland Yard (UK police in charge of policing the G20 summit are under serious investigation as a result of the video footage).
Citing the importance of video evidences, the British government installed more than five million close circuit televisions (CCTV) all over the country. There are more close circuit televisions (CCTV) in the United Kingdom than any where in the world. In addition speed cameras are every where in the United Kingdom and other western societies. These devices have proven very useful in the fight against crimes in the western societies.
In Iraq, Blackwater employees (staffs of a contracting firm that works for American diplomats in Iraq) who were on vehicle escort duty in central Iraq shot dead about seventy civilians whom they claimed threatened them. A key element that contradicted their claim was a video shot by someone who happened to be there. The video was broadcast to people and it immediately raised questions about the credibility of Blackwater. The video footage became a key factor for the political tide that turned against the Blackwater contractors. Within few months five Blackwater personnel were facing manslaughter charges in the US, and the State Department advisory panel recommended that Blackwater be dropped as a contractor for American diplomats in Iraq.
This equipment (digital camera and mobile phone with camera) can be pocket sized and within reasonable cost, meaning that many people can lay their hands on them. This method can reveal institutional vulnerability. Using the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as a case study, video recordings on each pooling station can mar attempts to rig elections or at least provide evidences that could give victory to actual winners. The entire Nigerian public needs to give serious thoughts to this advice.
Non Governmental Organizations (NGO’s), community groups, labour unions, political parties, students groups etc should teach themselves and others how to record events using this simple technology (digital cameras and mobile phones with camera). This should be in preparation for the coming 2011 general elections. People might take for granted this digital technology, whereas in actual fact, it could do a lot to force accountability on the part of government and most influential people. It will also guarantee information transparency.
Another method to enforce accountability on our rulers will be for Nigerians to increase their surveillance of our rulers. Rulers are public servants; therefore their lives should be a public concern. Nigerians should be free to spy and expose their rulers. In the western societies, spying on leaders are very common. It’s a good mechanism to put leaders on check. In May 2009, spying on British MPs’ led to revelations about their expenses scandal. Over 182 MPs’ from all parties were indicted. British MPs repaid nearly half a million pounds in expenses money claimed since 2003. Many MPs are no longer standing for election due to this scandal. In a related development, Alan Duncan (a member of British House of Commons) was secretly filmed complaining about MPs’ pay and expenses. He apologized to the nation over his behavior.
Nigerians can adopt the measures outlined above in our efforts to build a better nation. The key to succeeding in the above ventures will be when all of us become active participants or support one another to undertake the ideas so expressed. 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/
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Authorities Have Indicted Authorities.
Authorities in Nigeria have started to indict themselves, through their various actions, inactions, statements, evidences, submissions etc. International authorities have also handed their indictments. Truly, this will give Nigerians legitimate reasons to worry about their future. Events in and around Nigeria lends credence to this very fact. The sources of these comments are from top Nigerian government officials and internationally from credible sources. It’s actually an issue for concerns especially were the security and welfare of Nigerians are concerned. Let’s remember that the primary responsibility of any government any where in the world is welfare and security of its citizens. It becomes absurd and an abnormality when governments’ action(s) or inaction compromises the security of its citizens.
Starting with the Director General of the State Security Services (SSS), Afakriya Gadazama, he has warned that the 2011 elections will be bloody. He also indicated that the way the government ignores security reports will worsen the deplorable insecurity situation in the country. He revealed that information about numerous crises (Jos crisis, Boko Haram, kidnappings in Niger Delta, armed robberies in South East etc) was passed to the appropriate quarters. However, actions were never taken to prevent these crises. According to him, the high level of insecurity in the country is fallout of the political system which disconnected people from government and our porous borders.
According to Guardian newspapers of Saturday August 8th 2009 (online version), the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the Northern States and Abuja, has blamed the federal government and state governments in the Northern region (especially Borno State) for the outbreak of the Boko Haram crisis. In the western societies these revelations by the Director General of SSS and allegations by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), are enough for the authorities involved to resign or publicly apologize to the nation. Same can happen in Nigeria.
On the question of porous borders, the Guardian newspapers (online version) of July 17th 2009 captured the candid revelations from the Customs. According to the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) “smuggling had become difficult to check because of the involvement of privileged citizens and poor facilities for the operations by its personnel”.
The Inspector General of Police (Ogbonnaya Onovo) on his part said the Nigerian Police have problems of inadequate vehicles, shortage of personnel and outdated equipment to work with. A quick reminder here to Ogbonnaya Onovo that the former IGP (Balogun), embezzled a reasonable amount of police fund, which would have gone a long way in providing these amenities. Balogun’s successor as IGP (Sunday Ehidero) was also involved with attempts to steal large sums of money from police headquarters. All these information are in public domain.
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mrs. Farida Waziri has said the Freedom of Information bill currently being delayed by the National Assembly will boost the fight against corruption and other forms of economic crimes. Many Nigerians have complained about the deliberate delay in passing this bill. I wrote an open letter to our law makers published on my blog, (briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com) and other media outlets both nationally and internationally. The actions of our law makers (failure to pass the freedom of information bill) might become a stumbling block to EFCC’s fight against corruption. However the comment by Farida is an indictment on our law makers. Even Mallam Nasir el-Rufai (former Federal Capital Territory Minister) accused the federal government of insincerity in the fight against corruption.
The United Nations gave their own indictment on the state of Nigeria corruption last year (2008). According to the United Nations (UN), “Nigerian kleptocrats have milked the nation to the tune of about $100 billion dollars thorough various acts of grand corruption, the cost of which it lamented by far exceeded the damage caused by any other single crime” (Daily Sun, Wednesday, December 3, 2008 page 9). Last year (2008) the National Assembly indicted the power ministry when it revelled that $16 billion dollars was invested in power sector without anything to show for it. This investment was made without any single megawatt being added to the national grid.
Quoting the Guardian newspapers (online version) of Monday August 3rd 2009, the United Nations Children Education’s Fund (UNICEF) disclosed that almost one million children in the country still die from preventable and curable diseases. The UNICEF spokesperson (Ann Veneman) noted that more Nigerian children die from preventable diseases than any other country in Africa. Nigeria is also a country where the president and top government officials seek medical attention abroad. Thisday newspapers of Tuesday 14th April 2009 (online version), reported that the president (Umaru Musa Yar’Adua) approved foreign medical treatment for ex-governor Turaki of Jigawa State and a serving senator to be flown to Germany. Senator Turaki was involved in a road accident where he was injured. This is an evidence of total neglect of the federal and state ministries of health.
According to Thisday newspapers of Monday 8th December 2008 (online version), President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua said, “I want to assure all Nigerians that the federal government is fully resolved and committed to the electoral reform programme so that we can have peaceful and transparent elections in this country”. Several indictments came the way of the presidential promise on electoral reforms. Firstly was the attempt by the president himself to doctor the Justice Uwais recommendations. Secondly the way federal government conducted the Ekiti re-run election. Thirdly many notable Nigerians (Former Nigerian Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar etc) have all accused the president of not being serious with the electoral reforms. Lastly ex President Obasanjo said one time that he was not aware of any electoral reform being undertaken by the Yar’Adua government. Obasanjo’s comment was reported by Thisday newspapers of Saturday 2nd May 2009 (online version).
President Yar’Adua has ordered a probe of the killing of the leader of Boko Haram (Yussuf) while under police custody. Meanwhile the president gave orders to both the military and the police for this group to be destroyed. Yussuf was the head of this group, so the group was destroyed as ordered by the president. Finally the president indicted himself as the chief security officer of the country when he embarked on a two day state visit to Brazil when his country was on fire due to the Boko Haram crisis. In July 2009, the Chinese President (Hu Jintao) left the G8 Summit in Rome Italy back to China, the moment riots broke out in Northwest part of China.
It is high time our rulers start to take responsibilities, praises and punishments for their actions and inactions. Nigerians need to demand this from our rulers. 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/
Starting with the Director General of the State Security Services (SSS), Afakriya Gadazama, he has warned that the 2011 elections will be bloody. He also indicated that the way the government ignores security reports will worsen the deplorable insecurity situation in the country. He revealed that information about numerous crises (Jos crisis, Boko Haram, kidnappings in Niger Delta, armed robberies in South East etc) was passed to the appropriate quarters. However, actions were never taken to prevent these crises. According to him, the high level of insecurity in the country is fallout of the political system which disconnected people from government and our porous borders.
According to Guardian newspapers of Saturday August 8th 2009 (online version), the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the Northern States and Abuja, has blamed the federal government and state governments in the Northern region (especially Borno State) for the outbreak of the Boko Haram crisis. In the western societies these revelations by the Director General of SSS and allegations by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), are enough for the authorities involved to resign or publicly apologize to the nation. Same can happen in Nigeria.
On the question of porous borders, the Guardian newspapers (online version) of July 17th 2009 captured the candid revelations from the Customs. According to the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) “smuggling had become difficult to check because of the involvement of privileged citizens and poor facilities for the operations by its personnel”.
The Inspector General of Police (Ogbonnaya Onovo) on his part said the Nigerian Police have problems of inadequate vehicles, shortage of personnel and outdated equipment to work with. A quick reminder here to Ogbonnaya Onovo that the former IGP (Balogun), embezzled a reasonable amount of police fund, which would have gone a long way in providing these amenities. Balogun’s successor as IGP (Sunday Ehidero) was also involved with attempts to steal large sums of money from police headquarters. All these information are in public domain.
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mrs. Farida Waziri has said the Freedom of Information bill currently being delayed by the National Assembly will boost the fight against corruption and other forms of economic crimes. Many Nigerians have complained about the deliberate delay in passing this bill. I wrote an open letter to our law makers published on my blog, (briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com) and other media outlets both nationally and internationally. The actions of our law makers (failure to pass the freedom of information bill) might become a stumbling block to EFCC’s fight against corruption. However the comment by Farida is an indictment on our law makers. Even Mallam Nasir el-Rufai (former Federal Capital Territory Minister) accused the federal government of insincerity in the fight against corruption.
The United Nations gave their own indictment on the state of Nigeria corruption last year (2008). According to the United Nations (UN), “Nigerian kleptocrats have milked the nation to the tune of about $100 billion dollars thorough various acts of grand corruption, the cost of which it lamented by far exceeded the damage caused by any other single crime” (Daily Sun, Wednesday, December 3, 2008 page 9). Last year (2008) the National Assembly indicted the power ministry when it revelled that $16 billion dollars was invested in power sector without anything to show for it. This investment was made without any single megawatt being added to the national grid.
Quoting the Guardian newspapers (online version) of Monday August 3rd 2009, the United Nations Children Education’s Fund (UNICEF) disclosed that almost one million children in the country still die from preventable and curable diseases. The UNICEF spokesperson (Ann Veneman) noted that more Nigerian children die from preventable diseases than any other country in Africa. Nigeria is also a country where the president and top government officials seek medical attention abroad. Thisday newspapers of Tuesday 14th April 2009 (online version), reported that the president (Umaru Musa Yar’Adua) approved foreign medical treatment for ex-governor Turaki of Jigawa State and a serving senator to be flown to Germany. Senator Turaki was involved in a road accident where he was injured. This is an evidence of total neglect of the federal and state ministries of health.
According to Thisday newspapers of Monday 8th December 2008 (online version), President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua said, “I want to assure all Nigerians that the federal government is fully resolved and committed to the electoral reform programme so that we can have peaceful and transparent elections in this country”. Several indictments came the way of the presidential promise on electoral reforms. Firstly was the attempt by the president himself to doctor the Justice Uwais recommendations. Secondly the way federal government conducted the Ekiti re-run election. Thirdly many notable Nigerians (Former Nigerian Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar etc) have all accused the president of not being serious with the electoral reforms. Lastly ex President Obasanjo said one time that he was not aware of any electoral reform being undertaken by the Yar’Adua government. Obasanjo’s comment was reported by Thisday newspapers of Saturday 2nd May 2009 (online version).
President Yar’Adua has ordered a probe of the killing of the leader of Boko Haram (Yussuf) while under police custody. Meanwhile the president gave orders to both the military and the police for this group to be destroyed. Yussuf was the head of this group, so the group was destroyed as ordered by the president. Finally the president indicted himself as the chief security officer of the country when he embarked on a two day state visit to Brazil when his country was on fire due to the Boko Haram crisis. In July 2009, the Chinese President (Hu Jintao) left the G8 Summit in Rome Italy back to China, the moment riots broke out in Northwest part of China.
It is high time our rulers start to take responsibilities, praises and punishments for their actions and inactions. Nigerians need to demand this from our rulers. 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, August 2, 2009
Ignorance Is A Disease.
Less than a year ago, I found myself writing about a crisis in Northern Nigeria (Jos Crisis), this time around its about the Bauchi religious crisis (Boko Haram Crisis). While am not trying to be a prophet of doom, I know that I might find myself again writing about another Northern Nigerian crisis after this, but I pray it never happen. Firstly my sympathies go to all the innocent Nigerians who were displaced, or who lost people or properties due to this crisis. Secondly I wish to condemn the group (Boko Haram or education is sin) that started this crisis. Religion should be peaceful and by choice. No group should seek to impose its religious beliefs on the rest of the country. Religion should not be a vehicle for violence. Islam is a peaceful religion.
Religious crisis has become a regular occurrence in the Northern part of Nigeria. Crisis of this nature usually spread to other Northern states and might have a spill over effect to some southern states. We have seen some reprisal attacks before in some south eastern and south western states. Be that as it may, the spread of this crisis to other Northern states did reveal the strength and network of this group. However, since religious crisis has become a common feature in the Northern Nigeria, the question is where next and how many innocent Nigerians will die?
These menaces (religious crises) have become a very big embarrassment to Nigeria and her citizens. In November 2002, riots from some Moslem youths that were opposed to Miss World contest in Abuja led to its cancellation and subsequent relocation of the show to London. About 100 people lost their lives in that incident. Ironically, a lady from Turkey (a Moslem country) won the contest in London. All these religious disturbances run contrary to all “efforts” of the federal government to boost tourism. The talk of attracting foreign investors in the face of regular religious mayhem might be a total waste of energy and resources.
Local investors are even tired of the instabilities in the Northern Nigeria. I know a number of Ibo business people that have relocated completely to the Owerri, Onitsha, Aba, Lagos etc due to these riots. Many have completely lost their means of livelihood. Remember a single religious crisis will have a negative multiplier effects on other sectors of the economy. Some people might become armed robbers when their means of livelihoods are destroyed. Many innocent non Moslems pay costly prices for these religious crises. My simple advice is that people should relocate their businesses outside these volatile northern states. That is the only way to guarantee safety. Prevention is better than cure.
But why are there always a religious crisis in the north and what are the measures to minimize it or stop it. Anger, poverty, ignorance, hatred, frustration, tribalism, politics etc are among the reasons, and without doubts some people benefits from such incidents. The whole incidents speak more of the failure of the system. According to the Director General of the State Security Service (Afakriya Gadazama), information before this crisis started and others were passed to the appropriate quarters. If what the SSS boss said was the truth, why did the appropriate quarters not prevent this from starting?
If no solution is found to these problems then the country will be seriously at risk. Past experiences have shown that Christians and non Moslems can easily become targets, and when Christians are attacked they usually fight back which makes the matter worst. The Zango-Kataf crisis of 1987 and Kaduna religious crisis of 1992 are typical examples. It shows that no tribe or group(s) has monopoly of violence and violence begets violence. Religious crisis can destroy a nation. Another example is Lebanon where fighting between Christians and Moslems devastated the country.
Ironically one of the reasons (say no to western education) why this group (Boko Haram) rioted and fought can also be one of the reasons, which could bring solutions to Northern Nigerian religious crises. Exposure to western education will obviously reduce this problem. Education is light. An educated people will make a better society. High level illiteracy rate makes it possible for people to be used for religious killings. Ignorance is a very serious damaging factor. Ignorance is like a disease. Until this disease is cured and our government becomes effective, Boko Haram crisis will be a child’s play compared to what will happen in the future. Illiteracy constitutes a danger to the development of our country.
Lessons have not been learnt from previous religious riots in Northern Nigeria. This is typical of our leadership problems. By now, our leaders should have known that those street boys and girls who are willing tools for these types of crises should have been educated or trained to engage in productive ventures. Had our been leaders been serious and visionary since over 30 years the religious crises have been repeating itself, efforts would have been made to educate the less privileged Nigerians. Knowledge is power. Mass education (western education) is needed. On the other hand, one will wonder why there has not been highest level of enlightenment in the north, despite the quota system which was meant to bridge the gap between the “educationally advantaged south” and “educationally disadvantaged north”.
Following incessant religious crises, I want to use this medium to appeal to the authorities of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and other federal government establishments to reconsider posting non Moslems and non northerners to the north. Sending Christians and non natives to the north might mean their death warrants. This is because no person knows where and when the next riot will start. It does not give any notice and government has never paid any compensation to people that died through religious crises. There is no need to risk peoples life.
In the same manner, companies, banks, financial institutions, international and national NGO’s should consider posting only northerners to northern states. No person would like to die or no one would like to loose a family member or a loved one to religious crisis. To Ibo merchants and traders, you people have paid the heaviest price each time there is a crisis. The choice is yours to either continue to pay the costly price or relocate your business and family to a safer part of the country.
The Nigerian Police Force, the State Security Services (SSS), and other law enforcement agencies should ask for more powers that will enable them prevent future crisis. Where necessary, the State Security Services (SSS) could follow the examples of the FBI in America and MI5 in the UK that do preemptive arrests and prosecution of suspected terrorists. The Nigerian government should grant the law enforcements agents’ adequate powers to prevent such incidents in the future. Nigerians also owe the security services a duty to report suspicious groups or people to them. 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/
Religious crisis has become a regular occurrence in the Northern part of Nigeria. Crisis of this nature usually spread to other Northern states and might have a spill over effect to some southern states. We have seen some reprisal attacks before in some south eastern and south western states. Be that as it may, the spread of this crisis to other Northern states did reveal the strength and network of this group. However, since religious crisis has become a common feature in the Northern Nigeria, the question is where next and how many innocent Nigerians will die?
These menaces (religious crises) have become a very big embarrassment to Nigeria and her citizens. In November 2002, riots from some Moslem youths that were opposed to Miss World contest in Abuja led to its cancellation and subsequent relocation of the show to London. About 100 people lost their lives in that incident. Ironically, a lady from Turkey (a Moslem country) won the contest in London. All these religious disturbances run contrary to all “efforts” of the federal government to boost tourism. The talk of attracting foreign investors in the face of regular religious mayhem might be a total waste of energy and resources.
Local investors are even tired of the instabilities in the Northern Nigeria. I know a number of Ibo business people that have relocated completely to the Owerri, Onitsha, Aba, Lagos etc due to these riots. Many have completely lost their means of livelihood. Remember a single religious crisis will have a negative multiplier effects on other sectors of the economy. Some people might become armed robbers when their means of livelihoods are destroyed. Many innocent non Moslems pay costly prices for these religious crises. My simple advice is that people should relocate their businesses outside these volatile northern states. That is the only way to guarantee safety. Prevention is better than cure.
But why are there always a religious crisis in the north and what are the measures to minimize it or stop it. Anger, poverty, ignorance, hatred, frustration, tribalism, politics etc are among the reasons, and without doubts some people benefits from such incidents. The whole incidents speak more of the failure of the system. According to the Director General of the State Security Service (Afakriya Gadazama), information before this crisis started and others were passed to the appropriate quarters. If what the SSS boss said was the truth, why did the appropriate quarters not prevent this from starting?
If no solution is found to these problems then the country will be seriously at risk. Past experiences have shown that Christians and non Moslems can easily become targets, and when Christians are attacked they usually fight back which makes the matter worst. The Zango-Kataf crisis of 1987 and Kaduna religious crisis of 1992 are typical examples. It shows that no tribe or group(s) has monopoly of violence and violence begets violence. Religious crisis can destroy a nation. Another example is Lebanon where fighting between Christians and Moslems devastated the country.
Ironically one of the reasons (say no to western education) why this group (Boko Haram) rioted and fought can also be one of the reasons, which could bring solutions to Northern Nigerian religious crises. Exposure to western education will obviously reduce this problem. Education is light. An educated people will make a better society. High level illiteracy rate makes it possible for people to be used for religious killings. Ignorance is a very serious damaging factor. Ignorance is like a disease. Until this disease is cured and our government becomes effective, Boko Haram crisis will be a child’s play compared to what will happen in the future. Illiteracy constitutes a danger to the development of our country.
Lessons have not been learnt from previous religious riots in Northern Nigeria. This is typical of our leadership problems. By now, our leaders should have known that those street boys and girls who are willing tools for these types of crises should have been educated or trained to engage in productive ventures. Had our been leaders been serious and visionary since over 30 years the religious crises have been repeating itself, efforts would have been made to educate the less privileged Nigerians. Knowledge is power. Mass education (western education) is needed. On the other hand, one will wonder why there has not been highest level of enlightenment in the north, despite the quota system which was meant to bridge the gap between the “educationally advantaged south” and “educationally disadvantaged north”.
Following incessant religious crises, I want to use this medium to appeal to the authorities of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and other federal government establishments to reconsider posting non Moslems and non northerners to the north. Sending Christians and non natives to the north might mean their death warrants. This is because no person knows where and when the next riot will start. It does not give any notice and government has never paid any compensation to people that died through religious crises. There is no need to risk peoples life.
In the same manner, companies, banks, financial institutions, international and national NGO’s should consider posting only northerners to northern states. No person would like to die or no one would like to loose a family member or a loved one to religious crisis. To Ibo merchants and traders, you people have paid the heaviest price each time there is a crisis. The choice is yours to either continue to pay the costly price or relocate your business and family to a safer part of the country.
The Nigerian Police Force, the State Security Services (SSS), and other law enforcement agencies should ask for more powers that will enable them prevent future crisis. Where necessary, the State Security Services (SSS) could follow the examples of the FBI in America and MI5 in the UK that do preemptive arrests and prosecution of suspected terrorists. The Nigerian government should grant the law enforcements agents’ adequate powers to prevent such incidents in the future. Nigerians also owe the security services a duty to report suspicious groups or people to them. 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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