Was walking past one of our newspaper stand today (19-11-08) and I read the bold headline of a general and six others who were sentenced to life imprisonment for selling 7 thousand arms to Militant MEND group for the cost of about 102 Million Naira.
The issue was how can a man raise to the position of an army general and not yet be patriotic? were are the values and discipline he was taught in the military? How can a man that has risen to that height sell his soul and all his discipline because of greed? this is the problem we face in Nigeria, rulers 9not leaders) who are more concerned with what they can acquire even though they have as opposed to what they can give, when a young dynamic ruler in the person of Barack Obama is emerging in the USA heralding change, the greedy Nigerian Army General is busy selling guns and ammunitions to young vibrant youths the future of this nation to kill and hurt themselves.
If his son was in the Niger Delta would he sell them guns, how can the federal government combat the Niger Delta problem when people within their ranks are not interested in peace but rather want to make money from the conflict of the region? The time has come for a young generation of Nigeria to arise, Nigeria with value s and dreams, we are responsible for the emerging new Nigeria…God bless Nigeria
Friday 21 November 2008
Thursday 20 November 2008
NIGER DELTA SUMMIT DOOMED TO FAIL UNLESS……..
A lot have been said about the need to address the issues of poverty, insecurity, underdevelopment, militancy, youth restiveness, marginalization, the criminality of the genuine struggle of the Niger Delta people and the economic banditry perpetrated by successive governments in the Niger Delta region. Several peace resolution committees, probe panels and commissions, have been set up in the past with all the reports cooling off in the dustbins of the administrations that set them up. We do not need soothsayers to tell us what the problems are or whether the problems are real.
Earlier in the year, the Senators visited the creeks and they did not believe that the Niger Delta where the source of our economic survival comes from can be in such a state of neglect. The House of Representatives also held a retreat in one of the States and were unhappy with the state of things in the Niger Delta. The basic things for the survival of man as propounded by Maslow are lacking in the region.
When I visited my late grandmother at Sakpoba Road in the 60s and early 70s there was a public tap at Asoro junction for the masses. Today, if one cannot sink a borehole the person treks kilometers to source for drinking water. It is worse in the riverine areas because the water is heavily polluted by spills from oil related activities and human wastes. So, the people do not have clean water to drink. They have no farm land for farming. There are no industries to absorb the unemployed youths. Gas flaring is destroying the eco system with unprecedented acid rains. They live in ghettoes in mosquito infested environment. To protest the wrong done to them, they started peaceful agitations. What did government do? It confronted them with tear gas canisters and guns. This led to violent struggle, which has been hijacked by a few people and now we are having kidnappings, hostage taking and all sorts of activities that negates the genuine struggle of the Niger Delta people. This however, does not mean that the genuine agitators have been diminished.
The genuine agitators have randomly condemned these acts of criminality and are seeking solutions to the issues through the dialogue option. For instance, Ledum Mittee led the Ogoni struggles for so long without guns. All we need is a sincere dialogue process, which in all intent and purposes has been lacking.
Brief Historical Excursion
Several peace resolution committees, probe panels and commissions, have been set up in the past with all the reports cooling off in the dustbins of the administrations that set them up. The Wilkins Commission of 1958, the 1992 Rio-De Janeiro 1st earth Summit, series of dialogue between 1991 and 1998 when the Ijaw National Congress (INC) lack of trust in the government’s engagement process and perceived insincerity on the part of other actors. All these finally ended with the Kaiama declaration in 1998. There have been heaps of committees’ recommendations both to the government and the multinational companies. These include Chief Gamaliel Onosode’s Committee report done for Shell petroleum development Corporation (SPDC), the Popoola and Ogomudia’s reports for the Federal Government and recently the town hall meetings of former President Obasanjo. All these were done to seeking long lasting solutions to Niger Delta problems. Yet nothing could be said to have concretely come out of these engagements. What other evidence or recommendations does government need to act decisevely? Rather than solve the problems, the various processes created some billionaires at the expense of the real people for whose sake the committees were set. This is the major reason the Niger Delta people are against any more summit that won’t add value to their lives.
From the above, it is vivid that the Niger Delta region is not in want of panaceas to the socio-economic problems besetting the region. What is lacking is the political will of each successive government to implement the recommendations of the various committees. I say this because several agencies have emerged in the past to act as platforms for bringing development to the region. The precursor of the Niger Delta development Commission (NDDC) was OMPADEC. The end of Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC) did not justify the means.
The past agencies failed because of some of the following reasons:
Deliberate under funding of the agencies. We saw billions of Naira returned to the coffers of the Federal government in 2007 as unspent allocations; yet NDDC was denied its full allocation that year.
The platforms acted as conduits for siphoning money by the political actors at the States/Federal government levels.
Gave out contracts as patronage for the supporters of those in power
Weak infrastructures to monitor performance.
Corruption.
Complacency on the part of the civil populace. We would have jointly risen to demand accountability from our leaders.
Running the agencies as personal Estates.
Weak infrastructures for appraising the heads of such institutions after each administration. Thanks to the rejuvenated ICPC and the establishment of the EFCC.
The current face off
The Niger Delta Summit proposed by President Yar’Adua has generated a lot of hues, cries and resentment. It shows that the Niger Delta people have lost total confidence in the ability of government to address their problems because they have been deceived in the past. An old woman used to say “if you are deceived once, you are a fool, if you allow that same person to deceive you twice, then you are a bloody fool”.
This is the situation in the Niger Delta region. Irrespective of the need to move the process forward, this government needs to be very cautious in handling the Niger Delta issue and it stands to reason to listen to the voice of the people. The choice of Gambari who was accused of calling the likes of Ledum Mittee and late Ken Saro Wiwa common criminals at a United Nations forum compounded the issue for Yar’Adua. Gambari should been seen here as a Mediator in-Chief in this matter. In this regards, all the parties must accept to work with him without which the process is doomed to fail. Government must listen and should begin to consider other options. The competence of Gambari, a very high and respected international conflict resolver is not in doubt but he cannot perform where he is not welcomed.
From the antecedents of President Yar’Adua, I want to believe that he is very sincere about addressing the the Niger Delta problems. For him to propose the Niger Summit also underscores his non-belief in previous efforts. The past leaders have used previous summits and committees as smoke screens. It is in this light I urge all the stakeholders in this business to give him a chance to use an approach he believes in. Dialogue is a tortuous process and can never be too much even when the process hurts us, we must never give up. This is necessary because the dividends of an open, transparent and sincere dialogue process would usually stand the test of time.
Way forward:
Pending when an agreement is reached on how best to go about the dialogue process, let there be discernable and tangible development of the Niger Delta region. It is a matter of dusting previous reports and implementing the recommendations in a faithful manner.
Development cannot take place where anarchy reigns supreme. It is in this light I call on the genuine freedom fighters to lay down their arms and embrace the dialogue process. The heightened level of insecurity in the Niger Delta will make the people poorer. Industrialists who will normally invest in the oil rich region to give employment to the people cannot be guaranteed return on their investments and so will shy away from the region.
Those perpetrating criminality as in kidnapping of children, men and women for ransom, hostage taking, pipelines vandalism and illegal oil bunkering which is undermining the genuine struggle of the Niger Delta people must be fished out and made to face the music. The genuine fighters must also see this as their own war.
Upward review of the derivation formula.
The Governors of the Niger Delta region must shift their paradigm from that of their successors who aggrandized what belonged to the people for their own selfish ends. Let us begin to see the dividends of democracy in terms of the provision of the basic things of life like drinking water, shelter for the poor etc.
Release of Federal government allocations to the Federal agencies saddled with policy implementation on Niger development plans as at when due. The funds must be fully disbursed as appropriated.
Deliberate attempts to urbanize the creeks.
Deliberate attempt by the Federal government to kick start employment generation in the region.
Extensive consultations of all the relevant stakeholders in the Niger Delta.
What we are toying with in the Niger Delta is an accident waiting to happen. We have so many threats to the corporate existence of Nigeria that we all need to urgently seek solutions through the dialogue option. Except all stakeholders beat a retreat from their entrenched positions, we might jolly well be heading for a full scale war, which would not benefit the majority of Nigerians. The armed group must essentially disarm for dialogue to take place.
On the other hand, the government must make firm commitment on how to engage the militants meaningfully so that they can have a means of livelihood once they are out of the bush. Let us begin to see reclamation of land in the creeks for housing and industrialization. One thing is clear, whether the summit holds now or in the future, it is doomed to fail unless all the actors embrace a sincere process of reconciliation. This is time to walk the talk.
http://louisbrownogbeifun.com/
Earlier in the year, the Senators visited the creeks and they did not believe that the Niger Delta where the source of our economic survival comes from can be in such a state of neglect. The House of Representatives also held a retreat in one of the States and were unhappy with the state of things in the Niger Delta. The basic things for the survival of man as propounded by Maslow are lacking in the region.
When I visited my late grandmother at Sakpoba Road in the 60s and early 70s there was a public tap at Asoro junction for the masses. Today, if one cannot sink a borehole the person treks kilometers to source for drinking water. It is worse in the riverine areas because the water is heavily polluted by spills from oil related activities and human wastes. So, the people do not have clean water to drink. They have no farm land for farming. There are no industries to absorb the unemployed youths. Gas flaring is destroying the eco system with unprecedented acid rains. They live in ghettoes in mosquito infested environment. To protest the wrong done to them, they started peaceful agitations. What did government do? It confronted them with tear gas canisters and guns. This led to violent struggle, which has been hijacked by a few people and now we are having kidnappings, hostage taking and all sorts of activities that negates the genuine struggle of the Niger Delta people. This however, does not mean that the genuine agitators have been diminished.
The genuine agitators have randomly condemned these acts of criminality and are seeking solutions to the issues through the dialogue option. For instance, Ledum Mittee led the Ogoni struggles for so long without guns. All we need is a sincere dialogue process, which in all intent and purposes has been lacking.
Brief Historical Excursion
Several peace resolution committees, probe panels and commissions, have been set up in the past with all the reports cooling off in the dustbins of the administrations that set them up. The Wilkins Commission of 1958, the 1992 Rio-De Janeiro 1st earth Summit, series of dialogue between 1991 and 1998 when the Ijaw National Congress (INC) lack of trust in the government’s engagement process and perceived insincerity on the part of other actors. All these finally ended with the Kaiama declaration in 1998. There have been heaps of committees’ recommendations both to the government and the multinational companies. These include Chief Gamaliel Onosode’s Committee report done for Shell petroleum development Corporation (SPDC), the Popoola and Ogomudia’s reports for the Federal Government and recently the town hall meetings of former President Obasanjo. All these were done to seeking long lasting solutions to Niger Delta problems. Yet nothing could be said to have concretely come out of these engagements. What other evidence or recommendations does government need to act decisevely? Rather than solve the problems, the various processes created some billionaires at the expense of the real people for whose sake the committees were set. This is the major reason the Niger Delta people are against any more summit that won’t add value to their lives.
From the above, it is vivid that the Niger Delta region is not in want of panaceas to the socio-economic problems besetting the region. What is lacking is the political will of each successive government to implement the recommendations of the various committees. I say this because several agencies have emerged in the past to act as platforms for bringing development to the region. The precursor of the Niger Delta development Commission (NDDC) was OMPADEC. The end of Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC) did not justify the means.
The past agencies failed because of some of the following reasons:
Deliberate under funding of the agencies. We saw billions of Naira returned to the coffers of the Federal government in 2007 as unspent allocations; yet NDDC was denied its full allocation that year.
The platforms acted as conduits for siphoning money by the political actors at the States/Federal government levels.
Gave out contracts as patronage for the supporters of those in power
Weak infrastructures to monitor performance.
Corruption.
Complacency on the part of the civil populace. We would have jointly risen to demand accountability from our leaders.
Running the agencies as personal Estates.
Weak infrastructures for appraising the heads of such institutions after each administration. Thanks to the rejuvenated ICPC and the establishment of the EFCC.
The current face off
The Niger Delta Summit proposed by President Yar’Adua has generated a lot of hues, cries and resentment. It shows that the Niger Delta people have lost total confidence in the ability of government to address their problems because they have been deceived in the past. An old woman used to say “if you are deceived once, you are a fool, if you allow that same person to deceive you twice, then you are a bloody fool”.
This is the situation in the Niger Delta region. Irrespective of the need to move the process forward, this government needs to be very cautious in handling the Niger Delta issue and it stands to reason to listen to the voice of the people. The choice of Gambari who was accused of calling the likes of Ledum Mittee and late Ken Saro Wiwa common criminals at a United Nations forum compounded the issue for Yar’Adua. Gambari should been seen here as a Mediator in-Chief in this matter. In this regards, all the parties must accept to work with him without which the process is doomed to fail. Government must listen and should begin to consider other options. The competence of Gambari, a very high and respected international conflict resolver is not in doubt but he cannot perform where he is not welcomed.
From the antecedents of President Yar’Adua, I want to believe that he is very sincere about addressing the the Niger Delta problems. For him to propose the Niger Summit also underscores his non-belief in previous efforts. The past leaders have used previous summits and committees as smoke screens. It is in this light I urge all the stakeholders in this business to give him a chance to use an approach he believes in. Dialogue is a tortuous process and can never be too much even when the process hurts us, we must never give up. This is necessary because the dividends of an open, transparent and sincere dialogue process would usually stand the test of time.
Way forward:
Pending when an agreement is reached on how best to go about the dialogue process, let there be discernable and tangible development of the Niger Delta region. It is a matter of dusting previous reports and implementing the recommendations in a faithful manner.
Development cannot take place where anarchy reigns supreme. It is in this light I call on the genuine freedom fighters to lay down their arms and embrace the dialogue process. The heightened level of insecurity in the Niger Delta will make the people poorer. Industrialists who will normally invest in the oil rich region to give employment to the people cannot be guaranteed return on their investments and so will shy away from the region.
Those perpetrating criminality as in kidnapping of children, men and women for ransom, hostage taking, pipelines vandalism and illegal oil bunkering which is undermining the genuine struggle of the Niger Delta people must be fished out and made to face the music. The genuine fighters must also see this as their own war.
Upward review of the derivation formula.
The Governors of the Niger Delta region must shift their paradigm from that of their successors who aggrandized what belonged to the people for their own selfish ends. Let us begin to see the dividends of democracy in terms of the provision of the basic things of life like drinking water, shelter for the poor etc.
Release of Federal government allocations to the Federal agencies saddled with policy implementation on Niger development plans as at when due. The funds must be fully disbursed as appropriated.
Deliberate attempts to urbanize the creeks.
Deliberate attempt by the Federal government to kick start employment generation in the region.
Extensive consultations of all the relevant stakeholders in the Niger Delta.
What we are toying with in the Niger Delta is an accident waiting to happen. We have so many threats to the corporate existence of Nigeria that we all need to urgently seek solutions through the dialogue option. Except all stakeholders beat a retreat from their entrenched positions, we might jolly well be heading for a full scale war, which would not benefit the majority of Nigerians. The armed group must essentially disarm for dialogue to take place.
On the other hand, the government must make firm commitment on how to engage the militants meaningfully so that they can have a means of livelihood once they are out of the bush. Let us begin to see reclamation of land in the creeks for housing and industrialization. One thing is clear, whether the summit holds now or in the future, it is doomed to fail unless all the actors embrace a sincere process of reconciliation. This is time to walk the talk.
http://louisbrownogbeifun.com/
NIGER DELTA TECHNICAL COMMITTEE (NDTC) AND THE PEACE PROCESS
Once again, the process of trying to resolve the Niger issue has kicked off with the swearing in of a forty five member NDTC by Vice President Goodluck Jonathan. The Committee is a body set up by the Federal Government to collate, review and distil all previous reports, suggestions and recommendations on the Niger Delta, and come up with plausible recommendations on how best to resolve the Niger Delta crisis. The implication of this is that most of the members are supposed to be knowledgeable enough about the challenges facing the region. They would therefore rely on past experiences and recommendations from previous works right from Wilkins’ Commission of 1958 to the Ogomudia report of 2005 to arriving at their recommendations, which will assist the Government to holistically deal with the Niger delta issue.
Inaugurating the Committee yesterday at Abuja , Vice President Goodluck Jonathan said that the work of the Committee would not accommodate any jamboree in form of endless field trips and it has ten days to submit its report. Niger Deltans unanimously rejected the jettisoned Niger Delta Summit and demanded that a technical committee be put in place to synthesize previous reports for implementation. This is exactly what the Government has done. All stakeholders should give peace a chance and subsume personal ego for the overall interest of Niger Delta.
Several youths’ organizations and the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) have argued that the NDTC was not representative enough of the Niger Delta extraction, especially the youths who are the full bearers of the crunch of the economic banditry foisted on the region by successive governments, militancy, unemployment, and the social and environmental degradation of the region from oil exploration activities over the years. This is a genuine concern for all those who feel aleniated from the composition because of the previous experience of marginalization and non implementation of committee recommendations.
The youths should not feel left out because they are virtually in control of the rein of governance in the Niger Delta. If they are united and speak with one voice, the youths have the capacity to turn things round in the Niger delta. One can safely posit that this is the era of youths in governance in the Niger Delta. For the avoidance of doubts, all the Niger Delta Governors, majority of their Commissioners and members of the Niger Delta Houses of Assembly could be said to be youths.
Several other groups have also expressed pessimism about the genuineness of this initiative because of the lack of trust and confidence in previous efforts. This again is germain because of the ways the previous governments have treated the issues of the Niger Delta. Several Committees and Commissions have sat over this same topic. Yet nothing tangible has been achieved. I am sure that this Committee will be confronted with trailers’ load of reports on the Niger Delta crises. So, the problem is not the dearth of recommendations but lack of the political will in the past to implement the recommendations of the various committees. We have spent almost half a century unravelling, collating analysing and making series of recommendations on how to resolve the Niger Delta issue. Yet, with the huge sums said to have been expended, no appreciable development has taken place in the region. This does not show sincerity of purpose and every rational human would feel frustrated.
Howbeit, there is no substitute for dialogue. I have the belief that President Yar’Adua by his actions is genuine and also supports the fight for the emancipation of Niger Deltans from the claws of deprivation, hunger and disease that pervade the entire landscape. Please, give him a chance even if it means giving him time lines to bring to fruition the blue print planned for the region.
From the outset, the choice of Ledum Mitee as the Chairman of that Committee is a radical departure from the past. Ledum Mitee is a Niger Deltan and a product of the struggle for the emancipation of the Ogoni people. He has been deprived, incarcerated and harassed by the agents of the State. So, he knows the colour of poverty, deprivation and suffering. For such a man, all anyone owes him is to give him maximum support to succeed in this onerous task. In the NDTC; there is Tonye Princewill, a focused, well articulated and respectable personality. He has been in the forefront of the agitation for the good of the Niger delta people. In this train also is Tony Uranta, who is also an avowed loyalist in the genuine struggle of the Niger delta people. If we cannot trust these people who are fighters for the emancipation of the Niger Delta people from misgovernance, who then should we trust?, Ledum cannot afford to disappoint all those who genuinely strive for the good of the Niger delta people. Let us not by our actions or pronouncements send wrong signals that will make the enemies of the region believe that indeed the struggle has been turned into a bread and butter platform for personal aggrandizement. It will amount to cutting our nostrils to spite our faces.
I want to believe that this distillation process will give rise to a larger stakeholders’ forum where all the ethnic nationalities will be represented. Therefore, the aggrieved should come forward with inputs that will assist the NDTC to deliver on their terms of reference. Ten days is just around the corner.
In the foregoing, the happenings in the region today calls to question the sincerity of those who kill, maim and extort money from the people in the name of freedom fighting. In whose name or interest are they carrying out these kidnappings, and hostage taking? Is it irrational to be kidnapping Niger Deltans, toddlers, innocent workers who had no hand in what is happening in the Niger Delta and subject them to dehumanizing conditions? How can we rationalize that hostage taking for ransoms is part of the strategies to actualize the dreams of the Niger Delta people? We cannot be canvassing for the development of the Niger Delta region and in the same breath be acting as blockers to the dreams of the region. The few developmental projects going on have been stalled because of the harassment and hostage taking of the multinationals. There is no environment that can develop in this atmosphere of anarchy and lawlessness.
The modus operandi of the hostage takers and kidnappers demean and diminish the genuine struggle of the Niger Delta people who are undergoing the worst form of dehumanization in the history of world’s oil rich regions. The people of the Niger Delta region from where the oil wealth is gotten live in abject poverty and mosquito infested creeks, they have no access to drinking water, they drink from the same river that serves as their loo, electricity is a luxury and out of their reach, the youths are largely unemployed and uneducated. Yet, some persons are turning this regrettable and preventable misfortune to a money spinning venture that serves only their own selfish agenda. This must be discouraged. All the interest groups should condemn these acts because the happenings in the Niger Delta region is a man made social Gustav that will consume all of us except we play active roles in putting down this insurgency and selfish agenda. The genuine agitators for a better Niger Delta should continue with the systematized steps that would win the region the sympathy of the international community and all well meaning people. An environment that will allow those handling various projects owners to deliver on their targets should be created for the good of the people.
To the NDTC; this Committee cannot afford to fail. One thing the NDTC must do is to clearly spell out the quick wins like housing units built from oil money in the creeks of Niger Delta instead of the wooden structures on top of water, motorable inter and intra city roads in the entire region, bridges, livelihood empowerment programmes for both male and female folks, functional schools and hospitals etc.These are tangible and confidence building things that will make people buy-in to this renewed peace path.
To the government, this process must not fail. It must yield the desired fruits. It must be seasoned with trust and transparency. It must be laced with tangible dividends that will enable stakeholders buy into this process that has started and other future interventions. Any attempt to treat this process like any other political window dressing as done in the past will be disastrous. The Niger Delta issue is an accident waiting to happen. If allowed to happen, it will be a Tsunami of sorts and the impact will be catastrophic. Tangible and long lasting developmental processes must come alive with this process. Money appropriated for the development of the area must be released in full and judiciously committed for the good of all. All hands must be on deck to ensure that the resolution of the Niger delta crises puts all the actors on the positive side of history. The time to talk and walk the talk is now.
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OBASANJO AND THE SERMON ON DEMOCRACY
By Louis Brown Ogbeifun August 5, 2008
At the twilight of late General Abacha’s rule, former President Olusegun Obasanjo (OBJ) and others were condemned to death for plotting to overthrow his government. By divine providence, OBJ was rescued from the valley of the shadow of death. When it was time to source for the man that could help to knit the political fabrics of Nigeria together, ex-military men and the powerful political class routed for Obasanjo in 1999. Several things perhaps informed their decision. These include:
Obasanjo’s capacity to de-militarize the polity.
To assuage the feelings of the South West on the annulment of June 12, 1993 elections.
Having gone to prison and saved by God from being killed, people thought that Obasanjo would rule with the fear of God.
As a man who criticized Babangida’s Structural Adjustment Program (SAP) as lacking human face in its implementation, those who lobbied for his enthronement thought he would use the human face theory to reform the economy.
Many saw him as a man who would be bold enough to tackle the issues of corruption and poverty.
First Military Head of State to voluntarily hand over power to a civilian administration.
This was how Obasanjo rode to the towering heights of Aso Rock as an elected Executive President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on a platter of gold. He started his second missionary journey on a cautious note. He told those that invested in his enthronement to see it as a sacrifice for the country rather than as a means of getting richer. Nigerians applauded this bold step. It was a signal that he would rid the political terrain of the country’s economic suckers, who make more money through the sponsoring of politicians for political offices. The various panels beaming the searchlight on the activities of governance under him proved that people got richer doing the wrong things.
As a person, I am convinced that at the inception of his administration in 1999, he had a great vision for Nigeria and her unity. Unfortunately, he got drowned in the field of politics and misdirected the powers conferred on him by the paraphernalia of executive presidency. Irrespective of the arrogance and gross abuse of office by some of the members of his economic team, the team worked hard to bring respect to Nigeria in the economic front. OBJ was doing relatively well until he mounted the pulpit as an anointed man of God, which he was not. In some instances, he played God at the expense of the reason he came into the presidential villa. He saw himself as the Solomon of our time and refused to listen to those who genuinely meant well for Nigeria. At other times, he equated himself with the State. All these led to the distractions that swayed him from a well articulated agenda, which would have brought succour to the masses. To make matters worse the sycophants and praise singers made him believe that without him, Nigeria will crumble. This led him to the mother of all mistakes in the name of the third term project, which was to elongate his tenure and the man lost his dignity and respect.
Going through the pages of newspapers in recent times, one can discern the anger and frustration in Nigerians against the legacy he left behind especially in the energy sector. If he had continued to fix the problems associated with power generation, creation of quality jobs and staying steadfastly to his initial vision, he would have been one of the greatest Presidents of our time. Unfortunately, he allowed a few cabal to hold him hostage. He deviated too sharply to negativity due to selfish interest and greed as typified by the third term agenda that fatally diminished his rule. By the time he left office in 2007, the followings were some of the negative appraisals of the Obasanjo administration:
Decay in the infrastructural facilities in the educational and health sectors. Tertiary institutions were shut for more days than they were opened for studies during his era.
Worsening states of the roads across the country despite the billions of naira sunk into the sector.
Almost all national assets were sold to government acolytes in very questionable manner.
The energy sector was left worse than he met it in spite of the huge investments in the sector. Nigeria has become a dumping ground for generators.
He came into office and left with shortages in petroleum products. He was unable to fully deal with the structural reforms needed to galvanize the sector to enviable heights.
Heightened insecurity across the nation.
Increase in petroleum pipelines vandalism and its attendant negative effects.
The manufacturing sector was less than 25% capacity utilization before he left office.
Job losses from 1999-2007 were the worse ever in Nigerian history.
Brazen abuse of judicial processes.
Increase in unresolved assassinations and murders of high profile Nigerians.
Formation of militias across the country, which was a sign of total loss of confidence in the central government.
Youths’ restiveness and militancy reached its crescendo in the last days of his administration.
Vessels implicated in illegal bunkering under protective custody disappeared like exposed spirit.
The politics of do-or-die perpetrated led to electoral fraud of unimaginable proportion.
The Local Government councils were turned into mere clearing houses for sharing of monthly allocations.
Political thuggery and amala politics became the rule rather than the exception in some parts of the country.
Manipulation of the constitutional review to perpetuate his tenure extension.
Lack of respect for elders and constituted authorities by himself and some of his appointees.
Turning the National Assembly to an extension of Aso Rock. This was partially reversed when the third term project died.
Niger Delta disaster.
The above led to the calls for the probe of his administration, which is indirectly going on through various probe panels currently probing several sectors of the economy.
I have watched, read and listened to the tongue lashing of OBJ both in the media and social circles. It cuts across all ethnic groups, ages and gender. For a man who left power in a little than a year ago, one would have thought that OBJ will still wield so much power to counter any attack from any quarters. Even IBB who left power long ago has die hard loyalists who are daily defending him and wanting to make us believe that the general is a democrat in spite of the June 12 disaster. But for OBJ, it’s a different stroke.
Less than a year after leaving office, almost all his policies have been reversed. His party men have enterered the ring, sparring to give him a technical knockout to strip him of his Board Of Trustees (BOT) championship belt he won through the manipulation of the constitution of PDP. It is just a matter of time for this to happen because the National Exective Council of Peoples’ democratic Party (PDP) has reversed the clauses that made him the only qualified candidate for the BOT position. The happenings around him have not made things easier. Soon after his exit from Aso Villa, he was accused of having inappropriate relationship with his son’s wife. Soon afterwards, his beloved daughter was in EFCC’s net. Who would have believed that Iyabo, the apple of Baba’s eyes could not attend senate sittings for the fear of arrest by EFCC? Many of the governors he unilaterally imposed on the party turned against him to choose someone outside his candidate for PDP’s chairmanship position. The Speaker he foisted on his party men in the person of Madam Speaker Etteh was removed without qualms. In such a short period, the almighty OBJ became so ordinary.
The only analogy that could be drawn here is the Marcus Antonius speech to the gathering of people around the corpse of Julius Caesar; “Oh mighty Caesar! Doth thou lie so low? Are all thy conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils, shrunk to this little measure? Fare thee well.” Marcus did not imagine that the almighty Caesar could lie so low and unable to move any part of his body while everyone stood over his corpse nor was he able to command his army to destroy those that betrayed his trust in death. The EFCC that arrested IBB’s son during his rule came for OBJ’s daughter too. This aptly agrees with the words of Marcus Antonius that “ The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones; so let it be with Caesar………………..Come I to speak in Caesar’s funeral. He was my friend and just to me”.
In Obasanjo’s case, the sordid silence of his acolytes and the 1999-2007 billionaires that he made during his service years baffles me. I thought I would find in Obasanjo loyalists, a Wada Nas, a Marcus Antonius or an Afegbua. Wada Nas was the diehard friend of the Abachas just like Marcus was to Julius Caesar and Afegbua to Babangida. Even in death Marcus and Nas stood in the gap for their friends. For Afegbua, he has been very constant in defending Babangida even when every other person was castigating him over the June 12 1993 election issue. These are courageous men who stood for what they believed in. I have been wondering what has happened to the arrays of special advisers and the egg heads like Nweke Jnr, el-Rufai, Chief Femi Fani Kayode who virtually insulted everybody that dared criticized Obasanjo’s policies in the past.
During his years in office, OBJ did the direct opposite of his purposed ideals and sermons. The examples are legion. Before he became the President, he advised IBB during the latter’s rule as Head of State to show human face in the implementation of the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) because Nigerians were going through harrowing times. When he started with his own reforms the human face theory disappeared. He treated Nigerians with so much disrespect and disdain.
Obasanjo once appealed to Generals Babangida, Abdusalam Abubakar, Buhari and others to appear before Oputa Panel for the sake of their names and that of their families. Yet, the same Obasanjo refused to honor the invitation of the National Assembly to clear his name over the non-adherence to due process in the award of several contracts in the power sector. When OBJ was invited to the House of Representatives to defend his role in the power probe, he sent in a written brief. In that letter, he fell short of calling the honourable members dishonourable as he noted that the way he was invited was disrespectful to elders. He reminded the honourable members that they have forgotten so soon that he symbolized the grower and nourisher of democracy.
If a democrat as expressed, when IBB annulled June 12 1993 elections which was acclaimed as the best elections ever organized in Nigeria’s political history, he would have teamed up with the progressives to actualize the dream of true democrats in the restoration of the June 12 mandate. What was his reaction? He said that Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, his own kin’s man was not the messiah Nigerians were looking for and thus justified the annulment of June 12, 1993. He rather supported putting in place an Interim National Government as a way of easing IBB out of office. He forgot that June 12 was not about Abiola. It was about the dashed hope of a people who voted for a Muslim-Muslim ticket, a people that refused the tribal coloration during the elections; it was about subversion of the constitution and the will of the people, it was about a process mismanaged and it was a betrayal of the trust of the same people that General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida swore to defend.
One of the key attributes of a democrat is tolerance of the opposition but OBJ as a civilian President was very intolerant of the opposition. He cunningly and deceitfully destroyed AD in the south west. I have attended conferences where OBJ told people to shut up. He openly commanded his aides to take microphones from those not singing his tunes. He called labour leaders who were criticizing his policies of deregulation and privatization programs dissidents and saboteurs. One of his ministers, Mallam el-Rufai told labour leaders to go and form their political parties if they must have a say on policy issues. He also reminded the entire senate that silence was the best answer for a fool. Obasanjo did not condemn this act of insolence to a constituted authority.
In that same response to the National Assembly, he admonished the members that as Africans, they must respect, elders, age and authority. He forgot that he never respected elders or men in authority when he was the President. He once told Nigerians about the senility of a world class economist, Prof Sam Aluko. The climax of these misguided missiles was when he also referred to Reverend Yakubu Pam, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Plateau State as “a big fool and Reverend my foot” His aides followed his footsteps by routinely abusing former Heads of State and elder statesmen at the slightest opportunity. Not even Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, General Yakubu Gowon and Senator Ken Nnamani, who are old enough to parent them or at the worst senior uncles were spared in the circus of abuses and debasement that characterized their years of service.
He went further to lecture the House members on the qualities of a good leader, which includes transparency, accountability and due process through adherence to the rule of law. Please, spare me your Excellency! Under him, his aides turned the privatization exercises to the spoils of war that should be shared among associates and loyalists. The power sector probes showed disrespect for due process. The Minister of FCT took a land allocated to Universal basic Education, a public concern and gave it to Big Boss Man. Still under him, houses and lands were taken from people in the name of sitting on sewage lines and had them reallocated to themselves or their associates. The panel probing the allocation of land and houses in FCDA has been awash with sad tales of hypocrisy, tribalism and share wickedness. The Abuja demolition exercises never followed due process or honour the human face theory. The committee that was supposed to be in place to review cases of illegal structures was circumvented and never constituted. Revelations of the panel of FCT revealed how lands confiscated were either bought by the same officers or given to their friends. The same Minister handled the PENTASCOPE deals in which Nigeria lost billions of Naira.
From the above and looking back at what he was worth before 1999, and the stupendous wealth that he amassed in the last eight years, would OBJ still see himself as a democrat, a respecter of elders and authority, a transparent and accountable leader?.
However, despite the above minuses, his administration has certain pluses that cannot be wished away. Some of the things that would remain on his political balance sheet, which this administration must build on include:
Removing Nigeria from the list of highly indebted nations.
Nigeria was gradually brought back into the main stream of world politics.
The establishment of EFCC to combat money laundering and related economic crimes. Never mind the cry of selectivity in its operations. Those hounded should prove their innocence in courts of law. Like I said before, once Obasanjo left office, EFCC will come after him and his people. We have seen this happen. By the time Yar’Adua leaves office, it will also do its house cleaning job and Nigeria remains the beneficiary at the end of the day.
The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) that has reduced fake drugs to less than 17%.
The consolidation of banks, which has made it possible for people to walk into banks to transact businesses with much ease. The operations could however be made more efficient because interest rates are still at double digit level.
Access to mortgage facilities.
The capital market came to an all time high.
The refurbishing of the refineries between 2004 and 2005 for the first time in more than a decade. Unfortunately, the mismanagement of the Niger Delta crises thwarted the efforts of the optimization of the refineries.
Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has brought respect to the country as Nigeria has been acknowledged to be genuinely and positively fighting the drug war as against the use of the organization against those opposed to the military junta during the military era.
The Oil and Gas Reform Implementation Committee (OGIC) reforms.
Nigeria’s foreign reserve stood at well over $42 billion as at the time he left office.
Establishment of Nigerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI) which has since conducted the financial, physical and process audits of the oil and gas sector.
The turnaround in communication and aviation industry.
Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) exploits in the prosecution of corrupt public officers.
One big lesson that resonates from all the above is that leaders in positions of authority must rule with the fear of God and ensure that the mandate of the people is not betrayed. Do those things that are right, just and fair. Only the good deeds will speak in their favour long after they have left the scene. Just like life, governace is a stage for show casing skills of leadership and service. OBJ has played his own part, the audience are appraising him and nothing can be done to turn the hand of the clock back in his favour if he did not do things right in some areas. It is just a matter of time for us to read the verdict of history on him and his administration.
Meanwhile, the focus is on the present administration under Yar’Adua. He should be mindful of the flaws of the last administration, avoid them and build on the positive areas of the foundation so that at the end, he would have made a difference by ensuring that the people are dignified in labour.
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Inaugurating the Committee yesterday at Abuja , Vice President Goodluck Jonathan said that the work of the Committee would not accommodate any jamboree in form of endless field trips and it has ten days to submit its report. Niger Deltans unanimously rejected the jettisoned Niger Delta Summit and demanded that a technical committee be put in place to synthesize previous reports for implementation. This is exactly what the Government has done. All stakeholders should give peace a chance and subsume personal ego for the overall interest of Niger Delta.
Several youths’ organizations and the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) have argued that the NDTC was not representative enough of the Niger Delta extraction, especially the youths who are the full bearers of the crunch of the economic banditry foisted on the region by successive governments, militancy, unemployment, and the social and environmental degradation of the region from oil exploration activities over the years. This is a genuine concern for all those who feel aleniated from the composition because of the previous experience of marginalization and non implementation of committee recommendations.
The youths should not feel left out because they are virtually in control of the rein of governance in the Niger Delta. If they are united and speak with one voice, the youths have the capacity to turn things round in the Niger delta. One can safely posit that this is the era of youths in governance in the Niger Delta. For the avoidance of doubts, all the Niger Delta Governors, majority of their Commissioners and members of the Niger Delta Houses of Assembly could be said to be youths.
Several other groups have also expressed pessimism about the genuineness of this initiative because of the lack of trust and confidence in previous efforts. This again is germain because of the ways the previous governments have treated the issues of the Niger Delta. Several Committees and Commissions have sat over this same topic. Yet nothing tangible has been achieved. I am sure that this Committee will be confronted with trailers’ load of reports on the Niger Delta crises. So, the problem is not the dearth of recommendations but lack of the political will in the past to implement the recommendations of the various committees. We have spent almost half a century unravelling, collating analysing and making series of recommendations on how to resolve the Niger Delta issue. Yet, with the huge sums said to have been expended, no appreciable development has taken place in the region. This does not show sincerity of purpose and every rational human would feel frustrated.
Howbeit, there is no substitute for dialogue. I have the belief that President Yar’Adua by his actions is genuine and also supports the fight for the emancipation of Niger Deltans from the claws of deprivation, hunger and disease that pervade the entire landscape. Please, give him a chance even if it means giving him time lines to bring to fruition the blue print planned for the region.
From the outset, the choice of Ledum Mitee as the Chairman of that Committee is a radical departure from the past. Ledum Mitee is a Niger Deltan and a product of the struggle for the emancipation of the Ogoni people. He has been deprived, incarcerated and harassed by the agents of the State. So, he knows the colour of poverty, deprivation and suffering. For such a man, all anyone owes him is to give him maximum support to succeed in this onerous task. In the NDTC; there is Tonye Princewill, a focused, well articulated and respectable personality. He has been in the forefront of the agitation for the good of the Niger delta people. In this train also is Tony Uranta, who is also an avowed loyalist in the genuine struggle of the Niger delta people. If we cannot trust these people who are fighters for the emancipation of the Niger Delta people from misgovernance, who then should we trust?, Ledum cannot afford to disappoint all those who genuinely strive for the good of the Niger delta people. Let us not by our actions or pronouncements send wrong signals that will make the enemies of the region believe that indeed the struggle has been turned into a bread and butter platform for personal aggrandizement. It will amount to cutting our nostrils to spite our faces.
I want to believe that this distillation process will give rise to a larger stakeholders’ forum where all the ethnic nationalities will be represented. Therefore, the aggrieved should come forward with inputs that will assist the NDTC to deliver on their terms of reference. Ten days is just around the corner.
In the foregoing, the happenings in the region today calls to question the sincerity of those who kill, maim and extort money from the people in the name of freedom fighting. In whose name or interest are they carrying out these kidnappings, and hostage taking? Is it irrational to be kidnapping Niger Deltans, toddlers, innocent workers who had no hand in what is happening in the Niger Delta and subject them to dehumanizing conditions? How can we rationalize that hostage taking for ransoms is part of the strategies to actualize the dreams of the Niger Delta people? We cannot be canvassing for the development of the Niger Delta region and in the same breath be acting as blockers to the dreams of the region. The few developmental projects going on have been stalled because of the harassment and hostage taking of the multinationals. There is no environment that can develop in this atmosphere of anarchy and lawlessness.
The modus operandi of the hostage takers and kidnappers demean and diminish the genuine struggle of the Niger Delta people who are undergoing the worst form of dehumanization in the history of world’s oil rich regions. The people of the Niger Delta region from where the oil wealth is gotten live in abject poverty and mosquito infested creeks, they have no access to drinking water, they drink from the same river that serves as their loo, electricity is a luxury and out of their reach, the youths are largely unemployed and uneducated. Yet, some persons are turning this regrettable and preventable misfortune to a money spinning venture that serves only their own selfish agenda. This must be discouraged. All the interest groups should condemn these acts because the happenings in the Niger Delta region is a man made social Gustav that will consume all of us except we play active roles in putting down this insurgency and selfish agenda. The genuine agitators for a better Niger Delta should continue with the systematized steps that would win the region the sympathy of the international community and all well meaning people. An environment that will allow those handling various projects owners to deliver on their targets should be created for the good of the people.
To the NDTC; this Committee cannot afford to fail. One thing the NDTC must do is to clearly spell out the quick wins like housing units built from oil money in the creeks of Niger Delta instead of the wooden structures on top of water, motorable inter and intra city roads in the entire region, bridges, livelihood empowerment programmes for both male and female folks, functional schools and hospitals etc.These are tangible and confidence building things that will make people buy-in to this renewed peace path.
To the government, this process must not fail. It must yield the desired fruits. It must be seasoned with trust and transparency. It must be laced with tangible dividends that will enable stakeholders buy into this process that has started and other future interventions. Any attempt to treat this process like any other political window dressing as done in the past will be disastrous. The Niger Delta issue is an accident waiting to happen. If allowed to happen, it will be a Tsunami of sorts and the impact will be catastrophic. Tangible and long lasting developmental processes must come alive with this process. Money appropriated for the development of the area must be released in full and judiciously committed for the good of all. All hands must be on deck to ensure that the resolution of the Niger delta crises puts all the actors on the positive side of history. The time to talk and walk the talk is now.
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OBASANJO AND THE SERMON ON DEMOCRACY
By Louis Brown Ogbeifun August 5, 2008
At the twilight of late General Abacha’s rule, former President Olusegun Obasanjo (OBJ) and others were condemned to death for plotting to overthrow his government. By divine providence, OBJ was rescued from the valley of the shadow of death. When it was time to source for the man that could help to knit the political fabrics of Nigeria together, ex-military men and the powerful political class routed for Obasanjo in 1999. Several things perhaps informed their decision. These include:
Obasanjo’s capacity to de-militarize the polity.
To assuage the feelings of the South West on the annulment of June 12, 1993 elections.
Having gone to prison and saved by God from being killed, people thought that Obasanjo would rule with the fear of God.
As a man who criticized Babangida’s Structural Adjustment Program (SAP) as lacking human face in its implementation, those who lobbied for his enthronement thought he would use the human face theory to reform the economy.
Many saw him as a man who would be bold enough to tackle the issues of corruption and poverty.
First Military Head of State to voluntarily hand over power to a civilian administration.
This was how Obasanjo rode to the towering heights of Aso Rock as an elected Executive President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on a platter of gold. He started his second missionary journey on a cautious note. He told those that invested in his enthronement to see it as a sacrifice for the country rather than as a means of getting richer. Nigerians applauded this bold step. It was a signal that he would rid the political terrain of the country’s economic suckers, who make more money through the sponsoring of politicians for political offices. The various panels beaming the searchlight on the activities of governance under him proved that people got richer doing the wrong things.
As a person, I am convinced that at the inception of his administration in 1999, he had a great vision for Nigeria and her unity. Unfortunately, he got drowned in the field of politics and misdirected the powers conferred on him by the paraphernalia of executive presidency. Irrespective of the arrogance and gross abuse of office by some of the members of his economic team, the team worked hard to bring respect to Nigeria in the economic front. OBJ was doing relatively well until he mounted the pulpit as an anointed man of God, which he was not. In some instances, he played God at the expense of the reason he came into the presidential villa. He saw himself as the Solomon of our time and refused to listen to those who genuinely meant well for Nigeria. At other times, he equated himself with the State. All these led to the distractions that swayed him from a well articulated agenda, which would have brought succour to the masses. To make matters worse the sycophants and praise singers made him believe that without him, Nigeria will crumble. This led him to the mother of all mistakes in the name of the third term project, which was to elongate his tenure and the man lost his dignity and respect.
Going through the pages of newspapers in recent times, one can discern the anger and frustration in Nigerians against the legacy he left behind especially in the energy sector. If he had continued to fix the problems associated with power generation, creation of quality jobs and staying steadfastly to his initial vision, he would have been one of the greatest Presidents of our time. Unfortunately, he allowed a few cabal to hold him hostage. He deviated too sharply to negativity due to selfish interest and greed as typified by the third term agenda that fatally diminished his rule. By the time he left office in 2007, the followings were some of the negative appraisals of the Obasanjo administration:
Decay in the infrastructural facilities in the educational and health sectors. Tertiary institutions were shut for more days than they were opened for studies during his era.
Worsening states of the roads across the country despite the billions of naira sunk into the sector.
Almost all national assets were sold to government acolytes in very questionable manner.
The energy sector was left worse than he met it in spite of the huge investments in the sector. Nigeria has become a dumping ground for generators.
He came into office and left with shortages in petroleum products. He was unable to fully deal with the structural reforms needed to galvanize the sector to enviable heights.
Heightened insecurity across the nation.
Increase in petroleum pipelines vandalism and its attendant negative effects.
The manufacturing sector was less than 25% capacity utilization before he left office.
Job losses from 1999-2007 were the worse ever in Nigerian history.
Brazen abuse of judicial processes.
Increase in unresolved assassinations and murders of high profile Nigerians.
Formation of militias across the country, which was a sign of total loss of confidence in the central government.
Youths’ restiveness and militancy reached its crescendo in the last days of his administration.
Vessels implicated in illegal bunkering under protective custody disappeared like exposed spirit.
The politics of do-or-die perpetrated led to electoral fraud of unimaginable proportion.
The Local Government councils were turned into mere clearing houses for sharing of monthly allocations.
Political thuggery and amala politics became the rule rather than the exception in some parts of the country.
Manipulation of the constitutional review to perpetuate his tenure extension.
Lack of respect for elders and constituted authorities by himself and some of his appointees.
Turning the National Assembly to an extension of Aso Rock. This was partially reversed when the third term project died.
Niger Delta disaster.
The above led to the calls for the probe of his administration, which is indirectly going on through various probe panels currently probing several sectors of the economy.
I have watched, read and listened to the tongue lashing of OBJ both in the media and social circles. It cuts across all ethnic groups, ages and gender. For a man who left power in a little than a year ago, one would have thought that OBJ will still wield so much power to counter any attack from any quarters. Even IBB who left power long ago has die hard loyalists who are daily defending him and wanting to make us believe that the general is a democrat in spite of the June 12 disaster. But for OBJ, it’s a different stroke.
Less than a year after leaving office, almost all his policies have been reversed. His party men have enterered the ring, sparring to give him a technical knockout to strip him of his Board Of Trustees (BOT) championship belt he won through the manipulation of the constitution of PDP. It is just a matter of time for this to happen because the National Exective Council of Peoples’ democratic Party (PDP) has reversed the clauses that made him the only qualified candidate for the BOT position. The happenings around him have not made things easier. Soon after his exit from Aso Villa, he was accused of having inappropriate relationship with his son’s wife. Soon afterwards, his beloved daughter was in EFCC’s net. Who would have believed that Iyabo, the apple of Baba’s eyes could not attend senate sittings for the fear of arrest by EFCC? Many of the governors he unilaterally imposed on the party turned against him to choose someone outside his candidate for PDP’s chairmanship position. The Speaker he foisted on his party men in the person of Madam Speaker Etteh was removed without qualms. In such a short period, the almighty OBJ became so ordinary.
The only analogy that could be drawn here is the Marcus Antonius speech to the gathering of people around the corpse of Julius Caesar; “Oh mighty Caesar! Doth thou lie so low? Are all thy conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils, shrunk to this little measure? Fare thee well.” Marcus did not imagine that the almighty Caesar could lie so low and unable to move any part of his body while everyone stood over his corpse nor was he able to command his army to destroy those that betrayed his trust in death. The EFCC that arrested IBB’s son during his rule came for OBJ’s daughter too. This aptly agrees with the words of Marcus Antonius that “ The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones; so let it be with Caesar………………..Come I to speak in Caesar’s funeral. He was my friend and just to me”.
In Obasanjo’s case, the sordid silence of his acolytes and the 1999-2007 billionaires that he made during his service years baffles me. I thought I would find in Obasanjo loyalists, a Wada Nas, a Marcus Antonius or an Afegbua. Wada Nas was the diehard friend of the Abachas just like Marcus was to Julius Caesar and Afegbua to Babangida. Even in death Marcus and Nas stood in the gap for their friends. For Afegbua, he has been very constant in defending Babangida even when every other person was castigating him over the June 12 1993 election issue. These are courageous men who stood for what they believed in. I have been wondering what has happened to the arrays of special advisers and the egg heads like Nweke Jnr, el-Rufai, Chief Femi Fani Kayode who virtually insulted everybody that dared criticized Obasanjo’s policies in the past.
During his years in office, OBJ did the direct opposite of his purposed ideals and sermons. The examples are legion. Before he became the President, he advised IBB during the latter’s rule as Head of State to show human face in the implementation of the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) because Nigerians were going through harrowing times. When he started with his own reforms the human face theory disappeared. He treated Nigerians with so much disrespect and disdain.
Obasanjo once appealed to Generals Babangida, Abdusalam Abubakar, Buhari and others to appear before Oputa Panel for the sake of their names and that of their families. Yet, the same Obasanjo refused to honor the invitation of the National Assembly to clear his name over the non-adherence to due process in the award of several contracts in the power sector. When OBJ was invited to the House of Representatives to defend his role in the power probe, he sent in a written brief. In that letter, he fell short of calling the honourable members dishonourable as he noted that the way he was invited was disrespectful to elders. He reminded the honourable members that they have forgotten so soon that he symbolized the grower and nourisher of democracy.
If a democrat as expressed, when IBB annulled June 12 1993 elections which was acclaimed as the best elections ever organized in Nigeria’s political history, he would have teamed up with the progressives to actualize the dream of true democrats in the restoration of the June 12 mandate. What was his reaction? He said that Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, his own kin’s man was not the messiah Nigerians were looking for and thus justified the annulment of June 12, 1993. He rather supported putting in place an Interim National Government as a way of easing IBB out of office. He forgot that June 12 was not about Abiola. It was about the dashed hope of a people who voted for a Muslim-Muslim ticket, a people that refused the tribal coloration during the elections; it was about subversion of the constitution and the will of the people, it was about a process mismanaged and it was a betrayal of the trust of the same people that General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida swore to defend.
One of the key attributes of a democrat is tolerance of the opposition but OBJ as a civilian President was very intolerant of the opposition. He cunningly and deceitfully destroyed AD in the south west. I have attended conferences where OBJ told people to shut up. He openly commanded his aides to take microphones from those not singing his tunes. He called labour leaders who were criticizing his policies of deregulation and privatization programs dissidents and saboteurs. One of his ministers, Mallam el-Rufai told labour leaders to go and form their political parties if they must have a say on policy issues. He also reminded the entire senate that silence was the best answer for a fool. Obasanjo did not condemn this act of insolence to a constituted authority.
In that same response to the National Assembly, he admonished the members that as Africans, they must respect, elders, age and authority. He forgot that he never respected elders or men in authority when he was the President. He once told Nigerians about the senility of a world class economist, Prof Sam Aluko. The climax of these misguided missiles was when he also referred to Reverend Yakubu Pam, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Plateau State as “a big fool and Reverend my foot” His aides followed his footsteps by routinely abusing former Heads of State and elder statesmen at the slightest opportunity. Not even Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, General Yakubu Gowon and Senator Ken Nnamani, who are old enough to parent them or at the worst senior uncles were spared in the circus of abuses and debasement that characterized their years of service.
He went further to lecture the House members on the qualities of a good leader, which includes transparency, accountability and due process through adherence to the rule of law. Please, spare me your Excellency! Under him, his aides turned the privatization exercises to the spoils of war that should be shared among associates and loyalists. The power sector probes showed disrespect for due process. The Minister of FCT took a land allocated to Universal basic Education, a public concern and gave it to Big Boss Man. Still under him, houses and lands were taken from people in the name of sitting on sewage lines and had them reallocated to themselves or their associates. The panel probing the allocation of land and houses in FCDA has been awash with sad tales of hypocrisy, tribalism and share wickedness. The Abuja demolition exercises never followed due process or honour the human face theory. The committee that was supposed to be in place to review cases of illegal structures was circumvented and never constituted. Revelations of the panel of FCT revealed how lands confiscated were either bought by the same officers or given to their friends. The same Minister handled the PENTASCOPE deals in which Nigeria lost billions of Naira.
From the above and looking back at what he was worth before 1999, and the stupendous wealth that he amassed in the last eight years, would OBJ still see himself as a democrat, a respecter of elders and authority, a transparent and accountable leader?.
However, despite the above minuses, his administration has certain pluses that cannot be wished away. Some of the things that would remain on his political balance sheet, which this administration must build on include:
Removing Nigeria from the list of highly indebted nations.
Nigeria was gradually brought back into the main stream of world politics.
The establishment of EFCC to combat money laundering and related economic crimes. Never mind the cry of selectivity in its operations. Those hounded should prove their innocence in courts of law. Like I said before, once Obasanjo left office, EFCC will come after him and his people. We have seen this happen. By the time Yar’Adua leaves office, it will also do its house cleaning job and Nigeria remains the beneficiary at the end of the day.
The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) that has reduced fake drugs to less than 17%.
The consolidation of banks, which has made it possible for people to walk into banks to transact businesses with much ease. The operations could however be made more efficient because interest rates are still at double digit level.
Access to mortgage facilities.
The capital market came to an all time high.
The refurbishing of the refineries between 2004 and 2005 for the first time in more than a decade. Unfortunately, the mismanagement of the Niger Delta crises thwarted the efforts of the optimization of the refineries.
Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has brought respect to the country as Nigeria has been acknowledged to be genuinely and positively fighting the drug war as against the use of the organization against those opposed to the military junta during the military era.
The Oil and Gas Reform Implementation Committee (OGIC) reforms.
Nigeria’s foreign reserve stood at well over $42 billion as at the time he left office.
Establishment of Nigerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI) which has since conducted the financial, physical and process audits of the oil and gas sector.
The turnaround in communication and aviation industry.
Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) exploits in the prosecution of corrupt public officers.
One big lesson that resonates from all the above is that leaders in positions of authority must rule with the fear of God and ensure that the mandate of the people is not betrayed. Do those things that are right, just and fair. Only the good deeds will speak in their favour long after they have left the scene. Just like life, governace is a stage for show casing skills of leadership and service. OBJ has played his own part, the audience are appraising him and nothing can be done to turn the hand of the clock back in his favour if he did not do things right in some areas. It is just a matter of time for us to read the verdict of history on him and his administration.
Meanwhile, the focus is on the present administration under Yar’Adua. He should be mindful of the flaws of the last administration, avoid them and build on the positive areas of the foundation so that at the end, he would have made a difference by ensuring that the people are dignified in labour.
http://louisbrownogbeifun.com/
The Niger Delta Issue
The Niger Delta Issue
Now that there is momentary peace in the Niger Delta region, the President who has started very well by taking steps to do things differently from what his predecessors did by creating the Ministry of Niger Delta and a Technical Committee to advise him on the way forward in the Niger Delta, should take a step further to visit the creeks and see for himself the real state of the region.
He should let all the community leaders into his dream for the region and give a definite time for the actualization of the quick wins. For instance, it does not take an entire generation to find low cost houses dotting the creeks, setting the grand design to kick starting industrialization of the region, which will create employment opportunities to the teeming unemployed youths and graduates, provision of portable pipe borne water and electrification etc.
Having done this, all the community leaders must pledge to ensure that their communities will collaborate with the government to prevent criminal activities in their domain especially in the prevention of products’ pipelines vandalism, oil theft, hostage taking and smuggling.
Failure to fulfil their own obligation shall lead to sanctions. However, if the community leaders cannot give such a guarantee, anybody caught perpetrating any act(s) of sabotage like illegal bunkering, smuggling of crude and other petroleum products will be heavily dealt with by the combined forces and the community leaders should keep their peace at such times.
The warning from the Chief of defence staff to the armed forces on the active connivance of force men in this economic sabotage should be further reinforced by letting the top echelon of the military know that any commander whose officer is found culpable in the act of oil theft will also be sanctioned. This has become necessary because in the past, ships under protective custody have disappeared without qualms.
Government should separate the genuine agitators for the betterment of Niger Delta region from those involved in criminality to enable it deploy the machinery of government to deal with them as appropriate. After concluding this engagement process at home, the President should take a step further to make his case before the international bodies like the European Union (EU), United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU) etc. These bodies should be told to appeal to their businessmen and women to stay clear of Nigeria’s stolen crude and finished petroleum products. It is hypocrisy to preach transparency and good governance in any part of the world while aiding and abetting oil theft in another country.
If there are no receptacles and buyers for stolen crude and petroleum products, there will be no sellers and the incidence of pipelines’ vandalism and oil theft in Nigeria will greatly reduce. Failure to heed this warning will mean a case of aggression against the good people of Nigeria by those countries fingered in this dastardly act. It also would be taken as waging economic war against this country and they should be ready to face the consequences. We should not wait until they illegally run us bankrupt before we act. In time past, these same countries were used as illegal vaults for stolen money by our past leaders.
The Niger Delta region has become our own social Gustuv, Katrina and Ike. In the Niger Delta region, oil theft, vandalism of petroleum pipelines, traumatizing act of hostage taking and kidnapping of children, women and the aged for ransom reigns supreme. This is condemnable, unacceptable and must be tackled through a multi level engagement process.
The Energy Sector
We are endowed with overwhelming hydrocarbons, solar and hydro energies yet so poor in energy. It is estimated that we need about 10,000 Mega Watts (MW) to meet our basic energy needs but the country currently has less than 2,000 MW available for consumption. In this type of environment, no magic can stimulate technological and manufacturing growth because energy is the conveyor belt that drives technological and manufacturing activities.
Companies are now perpetually running on diesel driven generators. This leads to increase overhead costs, collapse of many manufacturing outfits with a spiralling effect on job losses and increased costs of goods and services.
While the energy available is insufficient, the wasteful attitude of consumers is not helping matters. A visit to any part of the country will reveal that almost all the security lights are on in the day time. The electricity usage in the home is even worse. The bulbs are perpetually on during the day. Also, the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) does not have effective tariff collection systems and therefore not able to recover enough funds for its operations. Some of its workers also connive with the consumers to tamper with the meters to make them run slowly with less charges to the consumers at the detriment of the organization. To make matters worse, vandals are not relenting in the vandalism of PHCN cables and transformers.
In the oil and gas sector, the situation is not better. We have so much crude and gas reserves yet the people suffer chronic perennial fuel shortages due to acts of vandalism, smuggling, uncoordinated policies, and sabotage to the chagrin of the international community. So much has been said on these issues locally and internationally that everybody knows what the challenges are.
The panacea to these challenges will include:
Effective tariff collection system like the pre-paid meter system should be aggressively driven. Pending when this shall be fully operational, it should use designated banks for the collection of its tariffs and stop any form of cash collection at any of its offices in the urban centres.
Stiffer sanctions for vandalism of PHCN cables and those caught should be treated as economic saboteurs.
Maintenance and upgrade of PHCN facilities.
Reinvigorating of the construction of the Nigerian Integrated Power Projects (NIPP).
Citizens should help PHCN by switching off light points that are not in use at all times.
Payment of tariffs as at when due.
Stimulate the floodgate of processed oil and gas products by building more refineries in partnership with the private sector.
Fast tracking the completion of the various gas pipelines’ projects including the West Africa Gas Pipeline (WAGP).
Conservation and effective utilization of gas through the faithful implementation of the gas flair out directive.
Genuinely addressing the Niger Delta crises.
Consideration of the use of solar and wind energy sources.
Aggressive research and development activities.
Building more refineries
http://louisbrownogbeifun.com/
Now that there is momentary peace in the Niger Delta region, the President who has started very well by taking steps to do things differently from what his predecessors did by creating the Ministry of Niger Delta and a Technical Committee to advise him on the way forward in the Niger Delta, should take a step further to visit the creeks and see for himself the real state of the region.
He should let all the community leaders into his dream for the region and give a definite time for the actualization of the quick wins. For instance, it does not take an entire generation to find low cost houses dotting the creeks, setting the grand design to kick starting industrialization of the region, which will create employment opportunities to the teeming unemployed youths and graduates, provision of portable pipe borne water and electrification etc.
Having done this, all the community leaders must pledge to ensure that their communities will collaborate with the government to prevent criminal activities in their domain especially in the prevention of products’ pipelines vandalism, oil theft, hostage taking and smuggling.
Failure to fulfil their own obligation shall lead to sanctions. However, if the community leaders cannot give such a guarantee, anybody caught perpetrating any act(s) of sabotage like illegal bunkering, smuggling of crude and other petroleum products will be heavily dealt with by the combined forces and the community leaders should keep their peace at such times.
The warning from the Chief of defence staff to the armed forces on the active connivance of force men in this economic sabotage should be further reinforced by letting the top echelon of the military know that any commander whose officer is found culpable in the act of oil theft will also be sanctioned. This has become necessary because in the past, ships under protective custody have disappeared without qualms.
Government should separate the genuine agitators for the betterment of Niger Delta region from those involved in criminality to enable it deploy the machinery of government to deal with them as appropriate. After concluding this engagement process at home, the President should take a step further to make his case before the international bodies like the European Union (EU), United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU) etc. These bodies should be told to appeal to their businessmen and women to stay clear of Nigeria’s stolen crude and finished petroleum products. It is hypocrisy to preach transparency and good governance in any part of the world while aiding and abetting oil theft in another country.
If there are no receptacles and buyers for stolen crude and petroleum products, there will be no sellers and the incidence of pipelines’ vandalism and oil theft in Nigeria will greatly reduce. Failure to heed this warning will mean a case of aggression against the good people of Nigeria by those countries fingered in this dastardly act. It also would be taken as waging economic war against this country and they should be ready to face the consequences. We should not wait until they illegally run us bankrupt before we act. In time past, these same countries were used as illegal vaults for stolen money by our past leaders.
The Niger Delta region has become our own social Gustuv, Katrina and Ike. In the Niger Delta region, oil theft, vandalism of petroleum pipelines, traumatizing act of hostage taking and kidnapping of children, women and the aged for ransom reigns supreme. This is condemnable, unacceptable and must be tackled through a multi level engagement process.
The Energy Sector
We are endowed with overwhelming hydrocarbons, solar and hydro energies yet so poor in energy. It is estimated that we need about 10,000 Mega Watts (MW) to meet our basic energy needs but the country currently has less than 2,000 MW available for consumption. In this type of environment, no magic can stimulate technological and manufacturing growth because energy is the conveyor belt that drives technological and manufacturing activities.
Companies are now perpetually running on diesel driven generators. This leads to increase overhead costs, collapse of many manufacturing outfits with a spiralling effect on job losses and increased costs of goods and services.
While the energy available is insufficient, the wasteful attitude of consumers is not helping matters. A visit to any part of the country will reveal that almost all the security lights are on in the day time. The electricity usage in the home is even worse. The bulbs are perpetually on during the day. Also, the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) does not have effective tariff collection systems and therefore not able to recover enough funds for its operations. Some of its workers also connive with the consumers to tamper with the meters to make them run slowly with less charges to the consumers at the detriment of the organization. To make matters worse, vandals are not relenting in the vandalism of PHCN cables and transformers.
In the oil and gas sector, the situation is not better. We have so much crude and gas reserves yet the people suffer chronic perennial fuel shortages due to acts of vandalism, smuggling, uncoordinated policies, and sabotage to the chagrin of the international community. So much has been said on these issues locally and internationally that everybody knows what the challenges are.
The panacea to these challenges will include:
Effective tariff collection system like the pre-paid meter system should be aggressively driven. Pending when this shall be fully operational, it should use designated banks for the collection of its tariffs and stop any form of cash collection at any of its offices in the urban centres.
Stiffer sanctions for vandalism of PHCN cables and those caught should be treated as economic saboteurs.
Maintenance and upgrade of PHCN facilities.
Reinvigorating of the construction of the Nigerian Integrated Power Projects (NIPP).
Citizens should help PHCN by switching off light points that are not in use at all times.
Payment of tariffs as at when due.
Stimulate the floodgate of processed oil and gas products by building more refineries in partnership with the private sector.
Fast tracking the completion of the various gas pipelines’ projects including the West Africa Gas Pipeline (WAGP).
Conservation and effective utilization of gas through the faithful implementation of the gas flair out directive.
Genuinely addressing the Niger Delta crises.
Consideration of the use of solar and wind energy sources.
Aggressive research and development activities.
Building more refineries
http://louisbrownogbeifun.com/
The Niger Delta Issue
The Niger Delta Issue
Now that there is momentary peace in the Niger Delta region, the President who has started very well by taking steps to do things differently from what his predecessors did by creating the Ministry of Niger Delta and a Technical Committee to advise him on the way forward in the Niger Delta, should take a step further to visit the creeks and see for himself the real state of the region.
He should let all the community leaders into his dream for the region and give a definite time for the actualization of the quick wins. For instance, it does not take an entire generation to find low cost houses dotting the creeks, setting the grand design to kick starting industrialization of the region, which will create employment opportunities to the teeming unemployed youths and graduates, provision of portable pipe borne water and electrification etc.
Having done this, all the community leaders must pledge to ensure that their communities will collaborate with the government to prevent criminal activities in their domain especially in the prevention of products’ pipelines vandalism, oil theft, hostage taking and smuggling.
Failure to fulfil their own obligation shall lead to sanctions. However, if the community leaders cannot give such a guarantee, anybody caught perpetrating any act(s) of sabotage like illegal bunkering, smuggling of crude and other petroleum products will be heavily dealt with by the combined forces and the community leaders should keep their peace at such times.
The warning from the Chief of defence staff to the armed forces on the active connivance of force men in this economic sabotage should be further reinforced by letting the top echelon of the military know that any commander whose officer is found culpable in the act of oil theft will also be sanctioned. This has become necessary because in the past, ships under protective custody have disappeared without qualms.
Government should separate the genuine agitators for the betterment of Niger Delta region from those involved in criminality to enable it deploy the machinery of government to deal with them as appropriate. After concluding this engagement process at home, the President should take a step further to make his case before the international bodies like the European Union (EU), United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU) etc. These bodies should be told to appeal to their businessmen and women to stay clear of Nigeria’s stolen crude and finished petroleum products. It is hypocrisy to preach transparency and good governance in any part of the world while aiding and abetting oil theft in another country.
If there are no receptacles and buyers for stolen crude and petroleum products, there will be no sellers and the incidence of pipelines’ vandalism and oil theft in Nigeria will greatly reduce. Failure to heed this warning will mean a case of aggression against the good people of Nigeria by those countries fingered in this dastardly act. It also would be taken as waging economic war against this country and they should be ready to face the consequences. We should not wait until they illegally run us bankrupt before we act. In time past, these same countries were used as illegal vaults for stolen money by our past leaders.
The Niger Delta region has become our own social Gustuv, Katrina and Ike. In the Niger Delta region, oil theft, vandalism of petroleum pipelines, traumatizing act of hostage taking and kidnapping of children, women and the aged for ransom reigns supreme. This is condemnable, unacceptable and must be tackled through a multi level engagement process.
The Energy Sector
We are endowed with overwhelming hydrocarbons, solar and hydro energies yet so poor in energy. It is estimated that we need about 10,000 Mega Watts (MW) to meet our basic energy needs but the country currently has less than 2,000 MW available for consumption. In this type of environment, no magic can stimulate technological and manufacturing growth because energy is the conveyor belt that drives technological and manufacturing activities.
Companies are now perpetually running on diesel driven generators. This leads to increase overhead costs, collapse of many manufacturing outfits with a spiralling effect on job losses and increased costs of goods and services.
While the energy available is insufficient, the wasteful attitude of consumers is not helping matters. A visit to any part of the country will reveal that almost all the security lights are on in the day time. The electricity usage in the home is even worse. The bulbs are perpetually on during the day. Also, the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) does not have effective tariff collection systems and therefore not able to recover enough funds for its operations. Some of its workers also connive with the consumers to tamper with the meters to make them run slowly with less charges to the consumers at the detriment of the organization. To make matters worse, vandals are not relenting in the vandalism of PHCN cables and transformers.
In the oil and gas sector, the situation is not better. We have so much crude and gas reserves yet the people suffer chronic perennial fuel shortages due to acts of vandalism, smuggling, uncoordinated policies, and sabotage to the chagrin of the international community. So much has been said on these issues locally and internationally that everybody knows what the challenges are.
The panacea to these challenges will include:
Effective tariff collection system like the pre-paid meter system should be aggressively driven. Pending when this shall be fully operational, it should use designated banks for the collection of its tariffs and stop any form of cash collection at any of its offices in the urban centres.
Stiffer sanctions for vandalism of PHCN cables and those caught should be treated as economic saboteurs.
Maintenance and upgrade of PHCN facilities.
Reinvigorating of the construction of the Nigerian Integrated Power Projects (NIPP).
Citizens should help PHCN by switching off light points that are not in use at all times.
Payment of tariffs as at when due.
Stimulate the floodgate of processed oil and gas products by building more refineries in partnership with the private sector.
Fast tracking the completion of the various gas pipelines’ projects including the West Africa Gas Pipeline (WAGP).
Conservation and effective utilization of gas through the faithful implementation of the gas flair out directive.
Genuinely addressing the Niger Delta crises.
Consideration of the use of solar and wind energy sources.
Aggressive research and development activities.
Building more refineries
http://louisbrownogbeifun.com/
Now that there is momentary peace in the Niger Delta region, the President who has started very well by taking steps to do things differently from what his predecessors did by creating the Ministry of Niger Delta and a Technical Committee to advise him on the way forward in the Niger Delta, should take a step further to visit the creeks and see for himself the real state of the region.
He should let all the community leaders into his dream for the region and give a definite time for the actualization of the quick wins. For instance, it does not take an entire generation to find low cost houses dotting the creeks, setting the grand design to kick starting industrialization of the region, which will create employment opportunities to the teeming unemployed youths and graduates, provision of portable pipe borne water and electrification etc.
Having done this, all the community leaders must pledge to ensure that their communities will collaborate with the government to prevent criminal activities in their domain especially in the prevention of products’ pipelines vandalism, oil theft, hostage taking and smuggling.
Failure to fulfil their own obligation shall lead to sanctions. However, if the community leaders cannot give such a guarantee, anybody caught perpetrating any act(s) of sabotage like illegal bunkering, smuggling of crude and other petroleum products will be heavily dealt with by the combined forces and the community leaders should keep their peace at such times.
The warning from the Chief of defence staff to the armed forces on the active connivance of force men in this economic sabotage should be further reinforced by letting the top echelon of the military know that any commander whose officer is found culpable in the act of oil theft will also be sanctioned. This has become necessary because in the past, ships under protective custody have disappeared without qualms.
Government should separate the genuine agitators for the betterment of Niger Delta region from those involved in criminality to enable it deploy the machinery of government to deal with them as appropriate. After concluding this engagement process at home, the President should take a step further to make his case before the international bodies like the European Union (EU), United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU) etc. These bodies should be told to appeal to their businessmen and women to stay clear of Nigeria’s stolen crude and finished petroleum products. It is hypocrisy to preach transparency and good governance in any part of the world while aiding and abetting oil theft in another country.
If there are no receptacles and buyers for stolen crude and petroleum products, there will be no sellers and the incidence of pipelines’ vandalism and oil theft in Nigeria will greatly reduce. Failure to heed this warning will mean a case of aggression against the good people of Nigeria by those countries fingered in this dastardly act. It also would be taken as waging economic war against this country and they should be ready to face the consequences. We should not wait until they illegally run us bankrupt before we act. In time past, these same countries were used as illegal vaults for stolen money by our past leaders.
The Niger Delta region has become our own social Gustuv, Katrina and Ike. In the Niger Delta region, oil theft, vandalism of petroleum pipelines, traumatizing act of hostage taking and kidnapping of children, women and the aged for ransom reigns supreme. This is condemnable, unacceptable and must be tackled through a multi level engagement process.
The Energy Sector
We are endowed with overwhelming hydrocarbons, solar and hydro energies yet so poor in energy. It is estimated that we need about 10,000 Mega Watts (MW) to meet our basic energy needs but the country currently has less than 2,000 MW available for consumption. In this type of environment, no magic can stimulate technological and manufacturing growth because energy is the conveyor belt that drives technological and manufacturing activities.
Companies are now perpetually running on diesel driven generators. This leads to increase overhead costs, collapse of many manufacturing outfits with a spiralling effect on job losses and increased costs of goods and services.
While the energy available is insufficient, the wasteful attitude of consumers is not helping matters. A visit to any part of the country will reveal that almost all the security lights are on in the day time. The electricity usage in the home is even worse. The bulbs are perpetually on during the day. Also, the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) does not have effective tariff collection systems and therefore not able to recover enough funds for its operations. Some of its workers also connive with the consumers to tamper with the meters to make them run slowly with less charges to the consumers at the detriment of the organization. To make matters worse, vandals are not relenting in the vandalism of PHCN cables and transformers.
In the oil and gas sector, the situation is not better. We have so much crude and gas reserves yet the people suffer chronic perennial fuel shortages due to acts of vandalism, smuggling, uncoordinated policies, and sabotage to the chagrin of the international community. So much has been said on these issues locally and internationally that everybody knows what the challenges are.
The panacea to these challenges will include:
Effective tariff collection system like the pre-paid meter system should be aggressively driven. Pending when this shall be fully operational, it should use designated banks for the collection of its tariffs and stop any form of cash collection at any of its offices in the urban centres.
Stiffer sanctions for vandalism of PHCN cables and those caught should be treated as economic saboteurs.
Maintenance and upgrade of PHCN facilities.
Reinvigorating of the construction of the Nigerian Integrated Power Projects (NIPP).
Citizens should help PHCN by switching off light points that are not in use at all times.
Payment of tariffs as at when due.
Stimulate the floodgate of processed oil and gas products by building more refineries in partnership with the private sector.
Fast tracking the completion of the various gas pipelines’ projects including the West Africa Gas Pipeline (WAGP).
Conservation and effective utilization of gas through the faithful implementation of the gas flair out directive.
Genuinely addressing the Niger Delta crises.
Consideration of the use of solar and wind energy sources.
Aggressive research and development activities.
Building more refineries
http://louisbrownogbeifun.com/
LABOUR ISSUES-LABOUR PACT IN THE PRIVATIZATION PROCESS OF THE NIGERIAN NATIONAL PETROLEUM CORPORATION (NNPC) DOWNSTREAM SECTOR, A PAPER PRESENTED BY C
LABOUR ISSUES-LABOUR PACT IN THE PRIVATIZATION PROCESS OF THE NIGERIAN NATIONAL PETROLEUM CORPORATION (NNPC) DOWNSTREAM SECTOR, A PAPER PRESENTED BY COMRADE LOUIS BROWN OGBEIFUN AT OWERRI DURING PENGASSAN’S SYNERGY WORKSHOP ON 8TH, JUNE, 2005.
By Louis Brown Ogbeifun November 7, 2008
‘Even a man regimented in every sense of the term would carry out his duties with more vigour and better spirit if treated as someone who really mattered and who understood the overall importance of the project in which he was involved’
- Field Marshall Montgomery.
It is with immense joy and gratitude to God that I present this paper today to enable me contribute to the re-engineering process of our great Union (PENGASSAN). I consider this a rare privilege because of the importance of this topic to the survival of members of the Association not only in the NNPC but to all Oil and Gas companies facing Employers’ restructuring processes because of the emerging global concepts. I therefore thank you Mr. President and the Central Working Committee (CWC) for this opportunity.
However, let me say that I am not here to teach or tell you something new about the topic because you have been at the vanguard of resisting the ill motivated “sell the refineries as scrap syndrome”. For us to deal with any labour pact and labour issues, there is the need to take a cursory look at the concept of privatization, its impact on labour in order to appreciate the seriousness of what your members might face and the elements needed for an ideal labour pact.
WHAT IS PRIVATIZATION?
It is primarily aimed at divesting the state’s interests in public enterprises to the private sector, thereby removing what is tagged state monopoly through liberalization of such utilities as energy, water, telecommunications, air and water transportation etcetera. Some of these fall in the domain of what we perceive as welfare oriented services. This process is a subset of the globalization concept, which seeks to remove trade barriers and encourage competition by both local and foreign investors in the running of these enterprises. This concept is premised on market driven competition with the assumption that the private sector is better managed, provides consumers with choices, more effective, efficient, yields better returns on investment, removes government’s intervention the internal affairs of the enterprise.
Laudable as these reasons are, one has found out that the success of any public or private enterprise depends largely on the operators. In recent times, several Multinational companies have collapsed and hundreds of thousands of workers retrenched. In addition, they have been fingered in issues of tax evasion and high-level corruption. Therefore, Privatization has never been able to resolve all issues of mis-management, corruption, management recklessness, abuse of office and organizational collapse.
Reasons for privatization by the Nigerian Government
Stemming the tide of dwindling fortunes of our national economy with a view to restoring it to the path of sustainable growth and global competitiveness
Unproductive investment or low productivity in public owned enterprises
Corruptionv Gross mismanagement of the enterprises slated for privatization
Collapse and increasing decadence of public utilities
Huge recurrent expenditure with a limited room for capital investment
Restoration of International Investors’ confidence
Improving managerial processes
Determination of prices through market price mechanism
Raising funds for other spending purposes
Transfer of technology from advanced nations
Government has no business in business
Introduction of free market economic reforms in alignment with the dynamics of global processes
Efficiency and improved capacity building and utilization
Resolution of Nigeria huge debt crises
Removal of government interference in the enterprises to be privatized.
Types of Privatization.
Full Privatization
Partial Privatization
Leasing
Strategic Partnering
Management Contracts.Why oil workers’ Unions resist outright privatization of the NNPC downstream sector
Lack of transparency in the privatization process. It is common knowledge that millions of naira are hidden from would be investors making profitability of running the new enterprise impossible and with this scenario, workers become the first victim when areas for cost curtailment are to be considered
Low-ball bidding
Collapse of deals, which were improperly conducted
Loss of strategic National assets to foreign interests and or government cronies
Privatization proceeds not being properly utilized
Fear of shares not being fairly distributed. Workers’ shares have been re-purchased by core investors or powerful society elites at the expense of labour in some privatized companies.
Improper valuation of assets
Job insecurity
Increased casualization and contract staffing
Non-payment of terminal benefits
The level of insecurity in the nation as typified by increased politically motivated killings, fatal robbery incidents, youth restiveness because of large-scale unemployment especially in the Niger Delta region and hostage taking of oil workers
Inconsistency in government policies and lack of will to see programmes through
Security implications.
Privatization of NNPC downstream.
The ultimate motives for the privatization on NNPC downstream sector are:
Demonopolization of state-owned refineries, petrochemical and pipelines and product marketing companiesv Autonomy to ensure competition with the objective of ensuring that all aspects of production, refining, distribution and dispensing of petroleum products are self sustaining, accountable and yield adequate returns on investments
Involving the multinationals in the refining process
Deregulation of the Nigerian downstream petroleum sector to allow for appropriate pricing.
While nobody can controvert the soundness of the aforementioned reasons, the unions were never convinced of the real intention of government going by the happenings in other sectors. We were however vindicated, when the much orchestrated deals of PENTASCOPE/NITEL, SOLGAS/STEEL; BFIG/ALSCON collapsed. After a warning strike in September 2001 and series of meetings with the Government, all strategic stakeholders agreed to the Strategic Partnering option using the NLNG model of privatization for privatizing the Refineries. This means that both the investors who must be global Refiners, Government and Workers are co-owners of the enterprise.
No matter how laudable and viable this option is; downsizing and the right of the new owners to determine the manning levels cannot be ruled out. Apart from all these, it seems to the Association that the general rule of law does not favour the transfer of employment or personal services to the new owners of a private company. This is why the Oil and Gas Unions have also been very vocal in asking for due process and that a labour pact is in place for the transiting enterprise for several reasons viz:
That Government should refurbish the Refineries to attract efficient and global refiners as investors
Ensuring that due process is followed in the process of privatization
Ensuring that the investors chosen are global refiners who will have the genuine interests, in turning the refineries around for effective and efficient service deliveries
To ensure that severed workers are paid their end of service entitlements and any involuntary severance attracts a special package
Ensuring that NNPC workers are considered for shares in the privatized outfit
To determine the fate of other retirees who are currently drawing pension from the NNPC.
Labour issues.
Job cuts
Collapse of social categories
Dislocation to family systems
Reduced income
Dwindling strength and vibrancy of trade unions
Friction between union and management if labour issues were not properly tidied up
Discouraging inter-union solidarity
Paucity of funds for trade union activities
Distrust
The continuous survival of the Unions
Welfare loss
Labour pact.
To resolve the aforementioned Labour issues and forestall the negative consequences of privatization in the downstream sector of NNPC as highlighted above, there is the need for the unions to ensure that there is a reduction of the negative impact on its members to the extent that they can live a near normal life after the transition.
Therefore, Labour Pact can be defined as a set of rules and or agreements entered into by the stakeholders, which include the Unions on one hand, the government’s agency, which in this case is the Bureau for Public Enterprises and or the Core Investor. The advantage of a proper labour pact is that it helps in midwifing the privatization process into a deliverable process, in which the new investor can have a smooth take over of the enterprise. In addition, it helps in removing distrust and assists in nurturing an enduring relationship between Labour and the new Management.
On the Union’s side, the fact that the investor may decide to change its objects and names, streamlining of the workforce without any notice, discontinuation of unionism through Yellow dog contract, in which a new employee pledges not to join the union; makes the need for a labour pact that will fully guarantee their rights become imperative. In addition, the Federal government is unlikely to honour any agreement signed with the Union on emoluments for the calculation of severance benefits beyond the year 2000.
The only instrument that will assist employees in putting in perspective and addressing their concerns is a labor pact. Therefore, the labour pact is sacrosanct in the protection of workers rights and continued sustenance of labour practices.
It should cover such areas as:
Retention of current conditions of service and any modification, Management and the Union shall use the collective bargaining (CBA) tool.
Dealing with wage arrears
Pension obligations and liabilities
Redundancy Benefits(Severance package)
End of service benefits
Social Safety Nets
Right to voluntarily exit
Share holding
Rights to unionization
Pledge to fair labour practice by the new Management.
Retention of conditions of service.
The pact should ensure that BPE, the union and the new management sign an agreement that will ensure the continuity of the current conditions of service, with modifications jointly agreed to by the stakeholders using CBA. This is necessary in order to forestall the rule of unilateralism by the new investor.
Dealing with wage arrearsAll arrears of salary and allowances should be paid to date to both workers being severed and those opting to work for the organization.
Pension and gratuityThis is perhaps the most crucial element that should be properly tied up because the union must protect the interest of those staff that will be deselected and those retirees who draw their entitlements from the NNPC. It is the wish of every working adult to continue to have means of support and livelihood on retirement. For those outside the service, the union should get in clear terms who shall be responsible for the payment of their pension benefits (enterprise, government or core investor), while an option that is viable and sustainable will be jointly agreed upon for those in service without any breach of the Pension’s Act.
Redundancy benefits.
The pact must expressly state what shall constitute redundancy in the new dispensation in line with industry practice and the financial benefits attached unambiguously stated. This will cover those that are being deselected or involuntarily separated from work by the core investor. Subsequent use of the clause in the new dispensation must also be clearly stated.
End of service benefits
All entitled end of service benefits to be paid to all the workers that are to be severed
The workers that have made contributions towards end of service benefits and or in form of provident fund must be appropriately charged into the necessary accounts with the accrued interests
The contributions of those in service should also be calculated and charged into the appropriate accounts, which the Union, Staff and Management would have agreed upon
The end of service benefits will be paid along side with the severance benefits
Where the union and staff so desire, all staffs’ end of service benefits may be paid as lump sum as per the existing collective agreement; while a new collective agreement may be negotiated for the new concern.
Social safety nets.
The major concern here is provision of some basic back up systems that will ensure that severed staff transit smoothly. This will include organizing pre-severance training for those leaving the organization on investment opportunities. In addition, workers should be retrained to enable them put to use the skills necessary to continuously remain useful to themselves and the society.
This is to ultimately empower them into small and medium enterprise (SME) development. The BPE should be of tremendous assistance to the severed staff in:v Re-employment services, including job placement assistance for those desirous of being re-engagedv Counseling on Job creation programsv Access to micro credit facilities The pact should encourage management to give former employees priority in the provision of services by third parties.
Right to voluntary exit.
The pact should ensure that workers shall have the opportunity to express interests in voluntary exit pre-privatization from the organization. In doing this, the Union must also respect the wish of management to veto the exit of essential staff that is key to its operations. Where a staff is refused voluntary exit, such staff must be given additional incentive.
Share holding.
The pact shall ensure that a percentage of the divested shares are allotted to members of staff as per agreed ratio. They must also impress it on government, enterprise or core investor to provide the loans for such purchases, which should be instalmentally deducted from their salaries and or end of service benefits.
Right to unionize.
The pact should guarantee workers’ rights to unionization in the new concern. This is a non-negotiable item.
Unfair labour practice.
During the transition period, the pact must restrain management from:
Retrenchment of workers
Downward adjustment of salaries
Demotions
Abrogation of conditions of service currently in force
Threat of mass lay off of employees.
CONCLUSION.
Going through manuals, seminar and workshop papers of Government agencies on privatization issues, the safeguards are in prints but the implementation process, just like so many other agreements are not being strictly adhered to. This in truth, has been the bane of the country’s privatization process. In addition, getting a pact as a working document, your association may be able to forestall arbitrary job cuts, redundancy, ensuring commensurate compensation and benefits for affected Association members during privatization, ensuring the security of pensions benefits for your members in line with the Pension Act, the existence of the union in the new environment and improved membership strength.
In the pursuit of the above, there are going to be very serious bottlenecks as investors and government may not readily accede to the severance package due to its financial implications, especially with the post 2000 wages and emoluments. This should not deter the unions from working hard to give a future worthy of living to their members. Government should realize that, it is an imperative to carry the unions along for self-expression on matters that affect them directly. This is where the quote from Montgomery becomes a reference point. All the stakeholders must learn from the experiences of the past on privatization issues, to ensure that we do not leave oil industry workers at the domain of perpetual poverty after a meritorious service to this great nation.
The plight of workers in some privatized or proposed privatized enterprises as typified by that of Daily Times, Nigeria Airways, ALSCON; NAFCON and Delta Steel Complex and that of Pensioners in the Public service and the Military should imprint in your hearts, the need to put up a labour pact that shall protect your members both serving and retired, who have toiled and shall continue to toil to oil the wheel of the Nigeria’s economy through their service.
However, it is not enough for the Unions to resist the privatization of the refineries without ensuring that your members do all within their spheres of influence to do all they could to sustain the optimum productivity of the plants to reduce downtime. You should eschew any act of compromising standards. You are the conscience of the organization and you must blow the whistle when things predjudicial to the interests of the organization are being perpetrated. Collective solutions to the Niger delta issues should be your goal and you should try to protect all the assets under your protective custody. Most of those who vandalize the pipelines are from the same towns and villages with some workers, some could be your brothers and sisters. When the refineries have no crude to run, your members are likely to be the victims because the plants will be forced to shut down. Therefore, you owe yourselves the duty of reaching out through seminars and workshops like this for enlightenment and advocacy.
This paper has only attempted to create the skeleton that you will at the end of this workshop adorn with the desired flesh. In the future, you may wish to consider inviting BPE and other stakeholders for a more thorough discussion on this sensitive issue and reach a concensus on how to jointly manage the exercise.
Solidarity! Forever!!!
Notes.
Akpotaire, V.(2003); Privatization of the downstream sector of the NNPC, Abuja.
Bureau of Public Enterprises (2002) Training Manual for Labor Policy Framework (Dealing with Redundancy, Severance Package, and Social Safety Net), Abuja.
Otobo, D.(2003) ; Career planning in a deregulated Economic Environment, Port-Harcourt.
Ogbeifun, L. B.(2004); Privatization and the challenges of Human Resource Management, Warri.
Ogbeifun, L.B. (2003); The challenges of globalization and Liberalization to Industrial Relations in Nigeria, Lokoja.
PENGASSAN(2002); Position paper on Privatization of NNPC Downstream Sector.
http://louisbrownogbeifun.com/
By Louis Brown Ogbeifun November 7, 2008
‘Even a man regimented in every sense of the term would carry out his duties with more vigour and better spirit if treated as someone who really mattered and who understood the overall importance of the project in which he was involved’
- Field Marshall Montgomery.
It is with immense joy and gratitude to God that I present this paper today to enable me contribute to the re-engineering process of our great Union (PENGASSAN). I consider this a rare privilege because of the importance of this topic to the survival of members of the Association not only in the NNPC but to all Oil and Gas companies facing Employers’ restructuring processes because of the emerging global concepts. I therefore thank you Mr. President and the Central Working Committee (CWC) for this opportunity.
However, let me say that I am not here to teach or tell you something new about the topic because you have been at the vanguard of resisting the ill motivated “sell the refineries as scrap syndrome”. For us to deal with any labour pact and labour issues, there is the need to take a cursory look at the concept of privatization, its impact on labour in order to appreciate the seriousness of what your members might face and the elements needed for an ideal labour pact.
WHAT IS PRIVATIZATION?
It is primarily aimed at divesting the state’s interests in public enterprises to the private sector, thereby removing what is tagged state monopoly through liberalization of such utilities as energy, water, telecommunications, air and water transportation etcetera. Some of these fall in the domain of what we perceive as welfare oriented services. This process is a subset of the globalization concept, which seeks to remove trade barriers and encourage competition by both local and foreign investors in the running of these enterprises. This concept is premised on market driven competition with the assumption that the private sector is better managed, provides consumers with choices, more effective, efficient, yields better returns on investment, removes government’s intervention the internal affairs of the enterprise.
Laudable as these reasons are, one has found out that the success of any public or private enterprise depends largely on the operators. In recent times, several Multinational companies have collapsed and hundreds of thousands of workers retrenched. In addition, they have been fingered in issues of tax evasion and high-level corruption. Therefore, Privatization has never been able to resolve all issues of mis-management, corruption, management recklessness, abuse of office and organizational collapse.
Reasons for privatization by the Nigerian Government
Stemming the tide of dwindling fortunes of our national economy with a view to restoring it to the path of sustainable growth and global competitiveness
Unproductive investment or low productivity in public owned enterprises
Corruptionv Gross mismanagement of the enterprises slated for privatization
Collapse and increasing decadence of public utilities
Huge recurrent expenditure with a limited room for capital investment
Restoration of International Investors’ confidence
Improving managerial processes
Determination of prices through market price mechanism
Raising funds for other spending purposes
Transfer of technology from advanced nations
Government has no business in business
Introduction of free market economic reforms in alignment with the dynamics of global processes
Efficiency and improved capacity building and utilization
Resolution of Nigeria huge debt crises
Removal of government interference in the enterprises to be privatized.
Types of Privatization.
Full Privatization
Partial Privatization
Leasing
Strategic Partnering
Management Contracts.Why oil workers’ Unions resist outright privatization of the NNPC downstream sector
Lack of transparency in the privatization process. It is common knowledge that millions of naira are hidden from would be investors making profitability of running the new enterprise impossible and with this scenario, workers become the first victim when areas for cost curtailment are to be considered
Low-ball bidding
Collapse of deals, which were improperly conducted
Loss of strategic National assets to foreign interests and or government cronies
Privatization proceeds not being properly utilized
Fear of shares not being fairly distributed. Workers’ shares have been re-purchased by core investors or powerful society elites at the expense of labour in some privatized companies.
Improper valuation of assets
Job insecurity
Increased casualization and contract staffing
Non-payment of terminal benefits
The level of insecurity in the nation as typified by increased politically motivated killings, fatal robbery incidents, youth restiveness because of large-scale unemployment especially in the Niger Delta region and hostage taking of oil workers
Inconsistency in government policies and lack of will to see programmes through
Security implications.
Privatization of NNPC downstream.
The ultimate motives for the privatization on NNPC downstream sector are:
Demonopolization of state-owned refineries, petrochemical and pipelines and product marketing companiesv Autonomy to ensure competition with the objective of ensuring that all aspects of production, refining, distribution and dispensing of petroleum products are self sustaining, accountable and yield adequate returns on investments
Involving the multinationals in the refining process
Deregulation of the Nigerian downstream petroleum sector to allow for appropriate pricing.
While nobody can controvert the soundness of the aforementioned reasons, the unions were never convinced of the real intention of government going by the happenings in other sectors. We were however vindicated, when the much orchestrated deals of PENTASCOPE/NITEL, SOLGAS/STEEL; BFIG/ALSCON collapsed. After a warning strike in September 2001 and series of meetings with the Government, all strategic stakeholders agreed to the Strategic Partnering option using the NLNG model of privatization for privatizing the Refineries. This means that both the investors who must be global Refiners, Government and Workers are co-owners of the enterprise.
No matter how laudable and viable this option is; downsizing and the right of the new owners to determine the manning levels cannot be ruled out. Apart from all these, it seems to the Association that the general rule of law does not favour the transfer of employment or personal services to the new owners of a private company. This is why the Oil and Gas Unions have also been very vocal in asking for due process and that a labour pact is in place for the transiting enterprise for several reasons viz:
That Government should refurbish the Refineries to attract efficient and global refiners as investors
Ensuring that due process is followed in the process of privatization
Ensuring that the investors chosen are global refiners who will have the genuine interests, in turning the refineries around for effective and efficient service deliveries
To ensure that severed workers are paid their end of service entitlements and any involuntary severance attracts a special package
Ensuring that NNPC workers are considered for shares in the privatized outfit
To determine the fate of other retirees who are currently drawing pension from the NNPC.
Labour issues.
Job cuts
Collapse of social categories
Dislocation to family systems
Reduced income
Dwindling strength and vibrancy of trade unions
Friction between union and management if labour issues were not properly tidied up
Discouraging inter-union solidarity
Paucity of funds for trade union activities
Distrust
The continuous survival of the Unions
Welfare loss
Labour pact.
To resolve the aforementioned Labour issues and forestall the negative consequences of privatization in the downstream sector of NNPC as highlighted above, there is the need for the unions to ensure that there is a reduction of the negative impact on its members to the extent that they can live a near normal life after the transition.
Therefore, Labour Pact can be defined as a set of rules and or agreements entered into by the stakeholders, which include the Unions on one hand, the government’s agency, which in this case is the Bureau for Public Enterprises and or the Core Investor. The advantage of a proper labour pact is that it helps in midwifing the privatization process into a deliverable process, in which the new investor can have a smooth take over of the enterprise. In addition, it helps in removing distrust and assists in nurturing an enduring relationship between Labour and the new Management.
On the Union’s side, the fact that the investor may decide to change its objects and names, streamlining of the workforce without any notice, discontinuation of unionism through Yellow dog contract, in which a new employee pledges not to join the union; makes the need for a labour pact that will fully guarantee their rights become imperative. In addition, the Federal government is unlikely to honour any agreement signed with the Union on emoluments for the calculation of severance benefits beyond the year 2000.
The only instrument that will assist employees in putting in perspective and addressing their concerns is a labor pact. Therefore, the labour pact is sacrosanct in the protection of workers rights and continued sustenance of labour practices.
It should cover such areas as:
Retention of current conditions of service and any modification, Management and the Union shall use the collective bargaining (CBA) tool.
Dealing with wage arrears
Pension obligations and liabilities
Redundancy Benefits(Severance package)
End of service benefits
Social Safety Nets
Right to voluntarily exit
Share holding
Rights to unionization
Pledge to fair labour practice by the new Management.
Retention of conditions of service.
The pact should ensure that BPE, the union and the new management sign an agreement that will ensure the continuity of the current conditions of service, with modifications jointly agreed to by the stakeholders using CBA. This is necessary in order to forestall the rule of unilateralism by the new investor.
Dealing with wage arrearsAll arrears of salary and allowances should be paid to date to both workers being severed and those opting to work for the organization.
Pension and gratuityThis is perhaps the most crucial element that should be properly tied up because the union must protect the interest of those staff that will be deselected and those retirees who draw their entitlements from the NNPC. It is the wish of every working adult to continue to have means of support and livelihood on retirement. For those outside the service, the union should get in clear terms who shall be responsible for the payment of their pension benefits (enterprise, government or core investor), while an option that is viable and sustainable will be jointly agreed upon for those in service without any breach of the Pension’s Act.
Redundancy benefits.
The pact must expressly state what shall constitute redundancy in the new dispensation in line with industry practice and the financial benefits attached unambiguously stated. This will cover those that are being deselected or involuntarily separated from work by the core investor. Subsequent use of the clause in the new dispensation must also be clearly stated.
End of service benefits
All entitled end of service benefits to be paid to all the workers that are to be severed
The workers that have made contributions towards end of service benefits and or in form of provident fund must be appropriately charged into the necessary accounts with the accrued interests
The contributions of those in service should also be calculated and charged into the appropriate accounts, which the Union, Staff and Management would have agreed upon
The end of service benefits will be paid along side with the severance benefits
Where the union and staff so desire, all staffs’ end of service benefits may be paid as lump sum as per the existing collective agreement; while a new collective agreement may be negotiated for the new concern.
Social safety nets.
The major concern here is provision of some basic back up systems that will ensure that severed staff transit smoothly. This will include organizing pre-severance training for those leaving the organization on investment opportunities. In addition, workers should be retrained to enable them put to use the skills necessary to continuously remain useful to themselves and the society.
This is to ultimately empower them into small and medium enterprise (SME) development. The BPE should be of tremendous assistance to the severed staff in:v Re-employment services, including job placement assistance for those desirous of being re-engagedv Counseling on Job creation programsv Access to micro credit facilities The pact should encourage management to give former employees priority in the provision of services by third parties.
Right to voluntary exit.
The pact should ensure that workers shall have the opportunity to express interests in voluntary exit pre-privatization from the organization. In doing this, the Union must also respect the wish of management to veto the exit of essential staff that is key to its operations. Where a staff is refused voluntary exit, such staff must be given additional incentive.
Share holding.
The pact shall ensure that a percentage of the divested shares are allotted to members of staff as per agreed ratio. They must also impress it on government, enterprise or core investor to provide the loans for such purchases, which should be instalmentally deducted from their salaries and or end of service benefits.
Right to unionize.
The pact should guarantee workers’ rights to unionization in the new concern. This is a non-negotiable item.
Unfair labour practice.
During the transition period, the pact must restrain management from:
Retrenchment of workers
Downward adjustment of salaries
Demotions
Abrogation of conditions of service currently in force
Threat of mass lay off of employees.
CONCLUSION.
Going through manuals, seminar and workshop papers of Government agencies on privatization issues, the safeguards are in prints but the implementation process, just like so many other agreements are not being strictly adhered to. This in truth, has been the bane of the country’s privatization process. In addition, getting a pact as a working document, your association may be able to forestall arbitrary job cuts, redundancy, ensuring commensurate compensation and benefits for affected Association members during privatization, ensuring the security of pensions benefits for your members in line with the Pension Act, the existence of the union in the new environment and improved membership strength.
In the pursuit of the above, there are going to be very serious bottlenecks as investors and government may not readily accede to the severance package due to its financial implications, especially with the post 2000 wages and emoluments. This should not deter the unions from working hard to give a future worthy of living to their members. Government should realize that, it is an imperative to carry the unions along for self-expression on matters that affect them directly. This is where the quote from Montgomery becomes a reference point. All the stakeholders must learn from the experiences of the past on privatization issues, to ensure that we do not leave oil industry workers at the domain of perpetual poverty after a meritorious service to this great nation.
The plight of workers in some privatized or proposed privatized enterprises as typified by that of Daily Times, Nigeria Airways, ALSCON; NAFCON and Delta Steel Complex and that of Pensioners in the Public service and the Military should imprint in your hearts, the need to put up a labour pact that shall protect your members both serving and retired, who have toiled and shall continue to toil to oil the wheel of the Nigeria’s economy through their service.
However, it is not enough for the Unions to resist the privatization of the refineries without ensuring that your members do all within their spheres of influence to do all they could to sustain the optimum productivity of the plants to reduce downtime. You should eschew any act of compromising standards. You are the conscience of the organization and you must blow the whistle when things predjudicial to the interests of the organization are being perpetrated. Collective solutions to the Niger delta issues should be your goal and you should try to protect all the assets under your protective custody. Most of those who vandalize the pipelines are from the same towns and villages with some workers, some could be your brothers and sisters. When the refineries have no crude to run, your members are likely to be the victims because the plants will be forced to shut down. Therefore, you owe yourselves the duty of reaching out through seminars and workshops like this for enlightenment and advocacy.
This paper has only attempted to create the skeleton that you will at the end of this workshop adorn with the desired flesh. In the future, you may wish to consider inviting BPE and other stakeholders for a more thorough discussion on this sensitive issue and reach a concensus on how to jointly manage the exercise.
Solidarity! Forever!!!
Notes.
Akpotaire, V.(2003); Privatization of the downstream sector of the NNPC, Abuja.
Bureau of Public Enterprises (2002) Training Manual for Labor Policy Framework (Dealing with Redundancy, Severance Package, and Social Safety Net), Abuja.
Otobo, D.(2003) ; Career planning in a deregulated Economic Environment, Port-Harcourt.
Ogbeifun, L. B.(2004); Privatization and the challenges of Human Resource Management, Warri.
Ogbeifun, L.B. (2003); The challenges of globalization and Liberalization to Industrial Relations in Nigeria, Lokoja.
PENGASSAN(2002); Position paper on Privatization of NNPC Downstream Sector.
http://louisbrownogbeifun.com/
Saturday 15 November 2008
THE NEW NIGERIA DREAM
THE NEW NIGERIA DREAM
(Ethics, Values and Morals)
I write this not from a professional sense, but from the point of a passion, but as someone driven by passion to see Nigeria amongst the top twenty countries in the world. This might seem a tall order against the back drop of the dipping of our socio-cultural ethics, virtues and values but I believe that together we can work hard to make Nigeria great. It is a clarion call to the youths of this nation to rise up so that together we can make Nigeria the country of our dream. I share the New Nigerian dream of great and committed minds like Fela Durotoye, Gbenga Sesan, Niyi Adesanya, Sam Adeyemi and host of others
The hosting of the Delta Youth Summit in the state capital provides us the opportunity to come together for developmental networking, but most importantly the coming together of youths gives us a premonition that this is a significant time. unlike what you know as significant time, I would want to use the definitions of Dr Iyayi of significant times during his address at the Benin National Merit Award held at the National Museun Kings Square Benin, Dr Iyayi says “Significant times are when man tales a leap forward, when history is made because a world standing on its head is overturned so it is now standing on its feet. it is that moment when we wake up from that is darkened by sleep an are startled by the brightness of the clouds outside. it is the time in our lives when we have hope because there is honor, justice, truth and integrity in our lives” while he has this to say about insignificant times ‘Insignificant times, however, are when the word and world are standing on their heads and history is being unmade. It is when the lie is painted as black and dressed as the truth. It is when those who seek justice, honor, integrity and truth are perceived s mad men and women who are destined for asylum” (emphasis added mine).This was published in the Vanguard Newspaper, Monday 7, 2008 page 31.
In line with what Dr Iyayi said we the youths of this great nation having been living in insignificant times but NOW is the time of significance, THIS is the place where significance begins.
What is the New Nigeria?
The New Nigeria from my perspective is: A Nigeria where Peace, Justice and Equity will reign A Nigeria where you are not judged by your tribe but by your character and values A Nigeria where her citizenry are committed to the nation and productive individually A Nigeria that will produce role model servant leaders for the world to emulate A Nigeria where the labours of our heroes past shall not be in vain A Nigeria that will be safe and be a peaceful habitation for all.A Nigeria where corruption and violence will be the thing of the past
For the avoidance of doubt, the above is a reflection of our ideal. The description and coloration of what constitutes a great nation may be put differently, the concept and meaning remain basically the same. Permit me therefore, to put some of those reflections on the marble. A GREAT NATION IS MADE NOT BORN I would want to point out that no nation is born great but every great nation is made great, even the Holy Scriptures rightly noted “is a nation born in a day”. The nation is not the land mass but her citizens. Corruption, injustice, tribalism, is not present in the Nigerian landmass but in he people. And this is as a result of our negative value system. Very few African nations are on their journey to the top. An example of this great stride is Ghana. It is instructive to note that what has kept us in this valley is not because of the colour of our skin but because of our character, attitude and orientation. So, if we must make the greatness we anticipate come true then the youths must shift their paradigm because it cannot be business as usual. Dr Festus iyayi said this “the quality of our lives is determined not only by what happens to us but more so by what we make happen. The more the content of our lives has honour, justice, intergrity , truth and meaning by the interaction of what we make happen and what happens to us, then the more significant our lives” THE BALLON STORY…what is inside Nigerians? The story have been said of a man who was selling balloons in the beach and when sales are running dry he would release a coloured balloon, a negro boy was standing very close by. After a while, the boy asked the sales man if a black balloon could also fly, the sales man told him it was not the colour of the balloon that made it to fly but what was inside. Which means a black balloon can also fly... The moral lesson to learn from this story is that we can be great if we care to have the air “virtue and character” in us. We might not be able to change the entire Nigerian populace at once but we can incrementally do this by being responsive to the New Nigeria dream as individuals wherever we find ourselves in service.I want to briefly highlight few of the virtues that we must all imbibe, which will be the compass that will direct our movement towards our New Nigeria dream and change our direction for good. This is not the time to tag along but to move up stream away from the current of injustice, corruption, bribery, tribalism. Violence e.t.c WE MUST VALUE MERIT We must all come to the place where all appointments will be based on merit and not tribalism,e.tc. This will motivate everyone to work hard for the upliftment of our country. We must move away from the era of getting to a particular level because of who one knows instead of one's worth. Cultivating and encouraging the "who you know" attitude to progress breeds laziness and disregard to due process. But putting square pegs in square holes releases the inate energy and innovation in people to continue to work for the greatness of a particular group.
ENVIRONMENTone of marked differences between the developed nations and the third world nations is the environment. The New Nigeria must of necessity value the need for CLEANINESS. It is a common to see people litter their environments. We must begin to discourage the throwing of dirt’s on path, roads and hall ways. We should stop the habit of throwing papers, water sachets, and cigarette butts from buses and cars. We must all begin to take care of our environment. We must all start maintaining a clean environment starting from our homes and offices. The goal should be cleaning the nation from the inside. TRIBAL DIFFERENCES This is going to be a major issue, but if we must advance on the road to the New Nigeria then we must jettison tribalism and begin to see ourselves as NIGERIANS. Our tribal differences were not to create division but to create the needed variety to make Nigeria a habitable place. Although we are from different tribes, our tribes should not come before our nation; our allegiance should be foremost to NIGERIA. This is the path of honour that other great nations have taken to greatness. WEALTH BY HARDWORK It is a known fact that Nigerians celebrate wealth in no small measure. We must change our attitude of eulogizing richness without knowing the sources of such riches. We should put more efforts of tracing the sources of our wealthy citizens. You can hardly hear of the Millionaires and Billionaires in other parts of the globe being involved advanced fee fraud. even at that, they are not worshipped the way we do hear.
INFORMATIONThe growth of any nation is dependent on the information base of her citizens. We must develop the attitude of getting the right information and sincere reading culture. Our libraries must not become museums and monuments. Every one of us must seek the right information in our various fields in other to increase our personal effectiveness. We must all move towards the areas of digitalizing our libraries and move from the manual catalogue system. Government and private companies as part of their social responsibilities should establish ICT resource centers. ATTITUDE TO PUBLIC PROPERTY In primary school we were taught to take care of “government” property. Instead of calling them government properties, we are to should “public property” because they are our properties. While would a Nigeria steal PHCN cables, street lights e.t.c and put other people in darkness, it is not because of poverty but rather because he assumes that the property is not his or ours but that of the government and so to pay government back for so called neglect he has to take what belongs to the government since he cannot readily access government treasury. Our attitude must change towards these properties they are ours and we must protect them. BELIEF IN THE NATION A lot has happened since our independence which has made us to lose our belief in the nation. But if we are to develop we have to start believing in the nation again. This belief must be rooted in the understanding that if we all do what is right Nigeria will definitely be great. “No president, no leader, no king, no emperor...nobody can change a country, except the people!” That is what Lenny Kravitz said "we the people of Nigeria have to stand up and begin to push for a change which must start from a mental note first of all" this is the paradigm shift I referred to earlier.
Three emerging words in the New Nigeria
In the Nigeria of our dream these three words will matter to all and sundry, from those in leadership positions to those been served (lead).these words are virtue, ethics and morals.
Ethics: moral principles that control or influence a person’s behaviour.
Morals: concerned with the principles of right and wrong behaviour.
Values: belief about what is right or wrong and what is most important in life.
I was born a Nigerian, I will live a Nigerian and I will Die a Nigeria
(Ethics, Values and Morals)
I write this not from a professional sense, but from the point of a passion, but as someone driven by passion to see Nigeria amongst the top twenty countries in the world. This might seem a tall order against the back drop of the dipping of our socio-cultural ethics, virtues and values but I believe that together we can work hard to make Nigeria great. It is a clarion call to the youths of this nation to rise up so that together we can make Nigeria the country of our dream. I share the New Nigerian dream of great and committed minds like Fela Durotoye, Gbenga Sesan, Niyi Adesanya, Sam Adeyemi and host of others
The hosting of the Delta Youth Summit in the state capital provides us the opportunity to come together for developmental networking, but most importantly the coming together of youths gives us a premonition that this is a significant time. unlike what you know as significant time, I would want to use the definitions of Dr Iyayi of significant times during his address at the Benin National Merit Award held at the National Museun Kings Square Benin, Dr Iyayi says “Significant times are when man tales a leap forward, when history is made because a world standing on its head is overturned so it is now standing on its feet. it is that moment when we wake up from that is darkened by sleep an are startled by the brightness of the clouds outside. it is the time in our lives when we have hope because there is honor, justice, truth and integrity in our lives” while he has this to say about insignificant times ‘Insignificant times, however, are when the word and world are standing on their heads and history is being unmade. It is when the lie is painted as black and dressed as the truth. It is when those who seek justice, honor, integrity and truth are perceived s mad men and women who are destined for asylum” (emphasis added mine).This was published in the Vanguard Newspaper, Monday 7, 2008 page 31.
In line with what Dr Iyayi said we the youths of this great nation having been living in insignificant times but NOW is the time of significance, THIS is the place where significance begins.
What is the New Nigeria?
The New Nigeria from my perspective is: A Nigeria where Peace, Justice and Equity will reign A Nigeria where you are not judged by your tribe but by your character and values A Nigeria where her citizenry are committed to the nation and productive individually A Nigeria that will produce role model servant leaders for the world to emulate A Nigeria where the labours of our heroes past shall not be in vain A Nigeria that will be safe and be a peaceful habitation for all.A Nigeria where corruption and violence will be the thing of the past
For the avoidance of doubt, the above is a reflection of our ideal. The description and coloration of what constitutes a great nation may be put differently, the concept and meaning remain basically the same. Permit me therefore, to put some of those reflections on the marble. A GREAT NATION IS MADE NOT BORN I would want to point out that no nation is born great but every great nation is made great, even the Holy Scriptures rightly noted “is a nation born in a day”. The nation is not the land mass but her citizens. Corruption, injustice, tribalism, is not present in the Nigerian landmass but in he people. And this is as a result of our negative value system. Very few African nations are on their journey to the top. An example of this great stride is Ghana. It is instructive to note that what has kept us in this valley is not because of the colour of our skin but because of our character, attitude and orientation. So, if we must make the greatness we anticipate come true then the youths must shift their paradigm because it cannot be business as usual. Dr Festus iyayi said this “the quality of our lives is determined not only by what happens to us but more so by what we make happen. The more the content of our lives has honour, justice, intergrity , truth and meaning by the interaction of what we make happen and what happens to us, then the more significant our lives” THE BALLON STORY…what is inside Nigerians? The story have been said of a man who was selling balloons in the beach and when sales are running dry he would release a coloured balloon, a negro boy was standing very close by. After a while, the boy asked the sales man if a black balloon could also fly, the sales man told him it was not the colour of the balloon that made it to fly but what was inside. Which means a black balloon can also fly... The moral lesson to learn from this story is that we can be great if we care to have the air “virtue and character” in us. We might not be able to change the entire Nigerian populace at once but we can incrementally do this by being responsive to the New Nigeria dream as individuals wherever we find ourselves in service.I want to briefly highlight few of the virtues that we must all imbibe, which will be the compass that will direct our movement towards our New Nigeria dream and change our direction for good. This is not the time to tag along but to move up stream away from the current of injustice, corruption, bribery, tribalism. Violence e.t.c WE MUST VALUE MERIT We must all come to the place where all appointments will be based on merit and not tribalism,e.tc. This will motivate everyone to work hard for the upliftment of our country. We must move away from the era of getting to a particular level because of who one knows instead of one's worth. Cultivating and encouraging the "who you know" attitude to progress breeds laziness and disregard to due process. But putting square pegs in square holes releases the inate energy and innovation in people to continue to work for the greatness of a particular group.
ENVIRONMENTone of marked differences between the developed nations and the third world nations is the environment. The New Nigeria must of necessity value the need for CLEANINESS. It is a common to see people litter their environments. We must begin to discourage the throwing of dirt’s on path, roads and hall ways. We should stop the habit of throwing papers, water sachets, and cigarette butts from buses and cars. We must all begin to take care of our environment. We must all start maintaining a clean environment starting from our homes and offices. The goal should be cleaning the nation from the inside. TRIBAL DIFFERENCES This is going to be a major issue, but if we must advance on the road to the New Nigeria then we must jettison tribalism and begin to see ourselves as NIGERIANS. Our tribal differences were not to create division but to create the needed variety to make Nigeria a habitable place. Although we are from different tribes, our tribes should not come before our nation; our allegiance should be foremost to NIGERIA. This is the path of honour that other great nations have taken to greatness. WEALTH BY HARDWORK It is a known fact that Nigerians celebrate wealth in no small measure. We must change our attitude of eulogizing richness without knowing the sources of such riches. We should put more efforts of tracing the sources of our wealthy citizens. You can hardly hear of the Millionaires and Billionaires in other parts of the globe being involved advanced fee fraud. even at that, they are not worshipped the way we do hear.
INFORMATIONThe growth of any nation is dependent on the information base of her citizens. We must develop the attitude of getting the right information and sincere reading culture. Our libraries must not become museums and monuments. Every one of us must seek the right information in our various fields in other to increase our personal effectiveness. We must all move towards the areas of digitalizing our libraries and move from the manual catalogue system. Government and private companies as part of their social responsibilities should establish ICT resource centers. ATTITUDE TO PUBLIC PROPERTY In primary school we were taught to take care of “government” property. Instead of calling them government properties, we are to should “public property” because they are our properties. While would a Nigeria steal PHCN cables, street lights e.t.c and put other people in darkness, it is not because of poverty but rather because he assumes that the property is not his or ours but that of the government and so to pay government back for so called neglect he has to take what belongs to the government since he cannot readily access government treasury. Our attitude must change towards these properties they are ours and we must protect them. BELIEF IN THE NATION A lot has happened since our independence which has made us to lose our belief in the nation. But if we are to develop we have to start believing in the nation again. This belief must be rooted in the understanding that if we all do what is right Nigeria will definitely be great. “No president, no leader, no king, no emperor...nobody can change a country, except the people!” That is what Lenny Kravitz said "we the people of Nigeria have to stand up and begin to push for a change which must start from a mental note first of all" this is the paradigm shift I referred to earlier.
Three emerging words in the New Nigeria
In the Nigeria of our dream these three words will matter to all and sundry, from those in leadership positions to those been served (lead).these words are virtue, ethics and morals.
Ethics: moral principles that control or influence a person’s behaviour.
Morals: concerned with the principles of right and wrong behaviour.
Values: belief about what is right or wrong and what is most important in life.
I was born a Nigerian, I will live a Nigerian and I will Die a Nigeria
OGAGA E. Maxwell
d2dyi@yahoo.com
d2dyi@yahoo.com
Thursday 13 November 2008
INVOLVEMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE RURAL AREAS AS DECISION MAKERS
INVOLVEMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE RURAL AREAS AS DECISION MAKERS
Last I year I read a quote by a young Nigerian on the United Nations Millennium Development Goals page that ‘young people are the least consulted in the nation”. One of the secrets of the development and advancement of ancient Greece was the principle of consultation before decision making. No one was an island of himself, regardless of the position he is occupying.
Even the wisest king in all history according to the Holy Scriptures in his writing in proverbs, Solomon made reference to the importance of counselors three times, hear him
“Where there is no wise guidance, the nation falls, But in the multitude of counselors there is victory”. “Where there are no wise suggestions, purposes come to nothing; but by a number of wise guides they are made certain”. “For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety” end quote.
In national development, we cannot remove the place of wise counsel in decisions that will eventually lead to our success or failure. But the big question is who can give this counsel or suggestions that can aid our national development. Is to be left for the technocrats alone, the educated and the elites? No a thousand times No. I think part of the people who should make positive contribution to the national issues are the down trodden, the minority, the oppressed and most especially those in the rural areas who knows where the shoes of poverty, deprivation and lack of infrastructural facilities is paining them.
Let me paint a picture here that may help us, do you know that the average young student in a rural secondary school may never have set his eyes on a chemistry chemical? Not to talk of a computer? Then you cant imagines he knows what email, blogging, ipod, flash drive is in the 21st century so in essence they are been trained not to be able to function in a modern society. While their counterparts in the cities attend “British model” schools, go for exchange in Europe and America or Abuja and Lagos. The issues is don’t these same secondary school students have the same basic rights to quality education?is it a crime to be born in the rural area of Nigeria?
This article is may not be an intellectual master piece, but just a simple awakening of the voice of reason to see that we progress in our bid to build a new Nigeria.
How can the young people in the rural area participate in decision making?
I feel it has to start with all those who are into developmental work, if we are really into development and not just developing our ‘pockets” and catching fun by attending workshops, summits and conferences, a larger percentage of our projects and porgrammes should be focused on rural young people and in the rural areas. These programmes should be interactive and participatory. With this we can by observation and their input feel their pains and get their voice on major issues then direct to appropriate quarters, by placing them on our websites, blogs e.t.c on their behalf, or a written report to the people concern.
Open forums in the rural areas should be encouraged, where young people are called upon to openly voices their opinions, the recordings of these open forums should not just be in a writing format but video format, this would help to make the voice of rural young people known and thereby participate in decision making. In these open forums, their local government chairmen and councilors should be present, it could even go beyond open forums and also include accountability sessions where the chairmen give account of what they have received and these young people can b part of the monitoring process whether elections or budget.
Our conferences, summits should start taking place also in the rural areas so that rural young people can adequately participate and get abreast of current issues.
The use of local dialect in the production of IEC materials should be encouraged, so that youths in rural areas who cannot read in English can also get informed about current happenings and make contributions in their own language, which can later be translated to English.
When workshops, conferences and summits are being organized special preference should be given to them to encourage there active participation, this will encourage them to have the required self esteem to start contributing to national issues.
These same young people in the rural areas are the people politicians pick as thugs to the city during elections, if they can come and fight in the city during elections, why cant they come an attend summits where they can give positive contributions in the city or have we turned our rural youths to political animals serving the interest of the high class thieves amongst us? Or those of us in development have we turned them to statistic that improves our report for funds and grant to be released to us without us giving them the opportunity for their voice to be heard?
We should not forget that these same young people if given the right environment have the capacity to help turn our nation around, because within them lies innate potentials that need to be awaken.
Lets empower our rural youths, let them be part of the decision makers in the society, if not now? When? If not you who?
Ogaga Maxwell d2dyi@yahoo.com
Last I year I read a quote by a young Nigerian on the United Nations Millennium Development Goals page that ‘young people are the least consulted in the nation”. One of the secrets of the development and advancement of ancient Greece was the principle of consultation before decision making. No one was an island of himself, regardless of the position he is occupying.
Even the wisest king in all history according to the Holy Scriptures in his writing in proverbs, Solomon made reference to the importance of counselors three times, hear him
“Where there is no wise guidance, the nation falls, But in the multitude of counselors there is victory”. “Where there are no wise suggestions, purposes come to nothing; but by a number of wise guides they are made certain”. “For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety” end quote.
In national development, we cannot remove the place of wise counsel in decisions that will eventually lead to our success or failure. But the big question is who can give this counsel or suggestions that can aid our national development. Is to be left for the technocrats alone, the educated and the elites? No a thousand times No. I think part of the people who should make positive contribution to the national issues are the down trodden, the minority, the oppressed and most especially those in the rural areas who knows where the shoes of poverty, deprivation and lack of infrastructural facilities is paining them.
Let me paint a picture here that may help us, do you know that the average young student in a rural secondary school may never have set his eyes on a chemistry chemical? Not to talk of a computer? Then you cant imagines he knows what email, blogging, ipod, flash drive is in the 21st century so in essence they are been trained not to be able to function in a modern society. While their counterparts in the cities attend “British model” schools, go for exchange in Europe and America or Abuja and Lagos. The issues is don’t these same secondary school students have the same basic rights to quality education?is it a crime to be born in the rural area of Nigeria?
This article is may not be an intellectual master piece, but just a simple awakening of the voice of reason to see that we progress in our bid to build a new Nigeria.
How can the young people in the rural area participate in decision making?
I feel it has to start with all those who are into developmental work, if we are really into development and not just developing our ‘pockets” and catching fun by attending workshops, summits and conferences, a larger percentage of our projects and porgrammes should be focused on rural young people and in the rural areas. These programmes should be interactive and participatory. With this we can by observation and their input feel their pains and get their voice on major issues then direct to appropriate quarters, by placing them on our websites, blogs e.t.c on their behalf, or a written report to the people concern.
Open forums in the rural areas should be encouraged, where young people are called upon to openly voices their opinions, the recordings of these open forums should not just be in a writing format but video format, this would help to make the voice of rural young people known and thereby participate in decision making. In these open forums, their local government chairmen and councilors should be present, it could even go beyond open forums and also include accountability sessions where the chairmen give account of what they have received and these young people can b part of the monitoring process whether elections or budget.
Our conferences, summits should start taking place also in the rural areas so that rural young people can adequately participate and get abreast of current issues.
The use of local dialect in the production of IEC materials should be encouraged, so that youths in rural areas who cannot read in English can also get informed about current happenings and make contributions in their own language, which can later be translated to English.
When workshops, conferences and summits are being organized special preference should be given to them to encourage there active participation, this will encourage them to have the required self esteem to start contributing to national issues.
These same young people in the rural areas are the people politicians pick as thugs to the city during elections, if they can come and fight in the city during elections, why cant they come an attend summits where they can give positive contributions in the city or have we turned our rural youths to political animals serving the interest of the high class thieves amongst us? Or those of us in development have we turned them to statistic that improves our report for funds and grant to be released to us without us giving them the opportunity for their voice to be heard?
We should not forget that these same young people if given the right environment have the capacity to help turn our nation around, because within them lies innate potentials that need to be awaken.
Lets empower our rural youths, let them be part of the decision makers in the society, if not now? When? If not you who?
Ogaga Maxwell d2dyi@yahoo.com
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