Let's Organise and Not Agonise!

I was discussing with a family friend over the weekend about Nigeria. The man, in his early fifties, is a Consultant Radiologist and a product of University of Ibadan. During the course of our discussion, he began to relive his experience at the University of Ibadan. He told me about how they were being served cereal and oats for breakfast, and chicken for lunch at the school dining hall. He described how he was able to buy a brand new car with his bursary award. Although, he wasn’t from a rich family, he talked about how he was able to buy designer clothing at Copperfield. In fact, his wife confirmed that it was the food that was been served at the University, that made her decide to pursue a university degree. After the conversation, I asked myself, why is it that all good things in Nigeria are always referred to in the past? Also, what has this nation offered children of my generation?

The discussion made me appreciate why the generation of Prof. Wole Soyinka are so bitter about the current state of Nigeria. I guess for my generation, we were born at the time, when the country was in steady decline. We only hear stories that Nigeria used to be good.
For me, I had always experienced interrupted power supply since I was born. Prior to my departure from the country, the last time we had pipeborne water in my house was 1991. So I have always seen boreholes as the norm. It was in my generation, that strike action by university lecturers commenced. It was in my generation that incessant fuel scarcity started. Nigeria produced university graduates in my generation whose qualification was not worth more than the paper that it was written on. My generation grew up in an era when “tokunbo” vehicles became the best thing after slice bread. As result of the systemic collapse of the nation, we became disillusioned. Every university student was always aspiring to leave the country after their graduation. Some even abandoned their university education to seek greener pastures overseas.

Having gone through all these, can my generation afford to sit and do nothing? My answer is NO! From my observation, it is clear that the struggle is in our hands, because there is no one that will fight this battle for us. The liberation of the soul of Nigeria lies in our hands. We need to rise up and save this country from the shackles of kleptomaniacs. It is for a fact that we make up the highest percentage of the Nigeria’s population. It is for a fact, that we are the largest population of age group in diaspora.

If we fail we to act then generation unborn will be doomed! The implications of our do nothing action will be severe. If we do nothing, we run a risk of having children who may never know that power can be generated from other source other than house generators. We run a risk of having children, who will think boreholes are the only source of water supply. We run a risk of having children, who will think queuing at petrol stations all night is part of everyday life. We run a risk of having children who will feel school closure as a result of university strikes is part of school holidays.

Despite all the challenges we have been put through, I still believe that my generation is very blessed. We are lucky to have grown up in the information age. The internet has now made the world to be at our finger tips. We are more technology savvy than our fathers. We have the level of exposure better than any generation before us. So, what is stopping us?

As a generation let’s begin to “organise and not agonise”

Presidential Race: My 5-Point Agenda

Friends and Comrades,

After serious consideration and extensive consultation with my political supporters, I have decided to throw my hat into the ring for 2011 Presidential elections. You will agree with me that the race for Aso Rock has begun to gather momentum, and therefore, it is only right that I launch my Presidential bid.

We are a nation at a crossroad. Our leaders have continued to fail us. Our nation’s infrastructure is in state of comatose. As a result of this continuous decay, every previous government have been made to look better by the ineptitude of its successor. My aim is to salvage our great nation from the shackles that has held us down since independence.

Moving forward, I hereby outline my 5-point Agenda, which focuses on Energy, Infrastructure, Niger Delta, Economy and Anti-corruption.

Energy
All attention will be focussed on resuscitating the nation’s ailing power sector. Fellow Nigerians, I can promise you that epileptic power supply will be a thing of the past.

Since we are now so much dependent on generators, I intend to meet with Chinese manufacturers within my first 100 days in office. I will encourage production of “disposable generators”. My aim is to make power supply affordable to every Nigerian. Nigerians should be able to own 3-4 generators has they do with mobile phones. These generators will be cheap and affordable for all households. In recognition of the impact of climate change, these generators will be made of recyclable materials.

I will also make sure that the manufacturing industries are established in Nigeria to facilitate knowledge transfer and skills development. This will be through government grants and tax breaks for interested companies.

Infrastructure
The government has demonstrated its ineptitude in building and maintaining the nation’s infrastructure. I will therefore actively seek private sector participation in nation building. All federal-owned highways and railways will be sold to the private sector, who will be allowed to charge as much toll as they wish in order to keep the transport system functioning. The private-sector will be allowed to plan and develop new roads and railways, in return for their investment. Government-owned Corporation and Authorities such as Nigerian Railway Corporation, Inland Waterways Authority will be sold off to the private sector.

The nation’s refineries will be sold to Messrs Femi Otedola and Aliko Dangote. NITEL will be sold to Otunba Mike Adenuga. All the nation’s airports will be sold to Bi-Courtney.

Niger Delta
Desperate situation they say “requires desperate measures”. The militancy in the Delta region must stop! However, it clear that military action is not the answer. In dealing with the Niger Delta crisis, I will initiate a Resource Re-distribution Plan. The RRP will include proposals to allocate oil blocks to Niger Delta militants. Foreign oil companies engaged in business in the area will also be forced to enter into agreement with local militants for provision of security.

Economy
I will continue to strengthen our nation’s economy through creation of more Oligarchs. Government-owned Corporation and infrastructure will be sold to businessmen who have distinguished themselves in the area of business entrepreneurship. The wealth of the nation will be concentrated in the hands of these few individuals, some of whom are currently biggest importers of rice, cement, diesel etc. This will guarantee long term economic security. These Oligarchs will also be consulted in major banking and finance reforms. They will responsible for nominating the Governor of Central Bank.

Anti-corruption
I’m ardent believer in the anti-corruption struggle. I will continue to respect the principle of “rule of law” as promoted by the Yar’Adua government. It is also believe the former Governors have a critical role to play in fighting corruption. The Yoruba adage says "only a thief can unravel the mystery of theft"

In tackling corruption I propose the following. Firstly I will absolve the Office of the President from the appointment of Chairman of EFCC and ICPC. Secondly, within 100 days in office, I will forward a Bill to the Parliament seeking to recognise the Governors’ Forum in the Nation’s constitution. Following that, the Governor’s Forum will be tasked with responsibility of selection and appointment of the Chairman of EFCC and ICPC.

In addition, I propose to amend the EFCC and ICPC Acts, so that only former State Governors are allowed to head the nation’s anti-corruption agencies.

Comrades, I believe this represents a blue-print for moving our nation forward.

Nigeria! Great Nation!! Good People!!!

Concerned Nigerian (June 2009)