Tuesday, 21 May 2013
Tussle Of The Dragons By Hannatu Musawa
Hannatu Musawa
Columnist:
Hannatu Musawa All Nationals in a country are expected to look up to their Leaders as a source of guidance and inspiration. When there is an apparent rift in perceptions and ideals in ways to execute the mission and vision of a country’s agenda; there will be cracks in the harmony of national coexistence.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo recently in Warri at a conference when a question was asked relating to the terrorist group Boko Haram, stated clearly that it was important for President Goodluck Jonathan to be decisive in tackling insecurity, as he himself did while tackling the militancy in Odi, Bayelsa State in 1999. After that statement was made the former Head of State, retired General Yakubu Gowon during the launch of a book, “Stay At The Top”, spoke against former President Obasanjo, saying he is “weak and highly irresponsible”. The book was written by a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Omoniyi Komolafe. In what seems to be a war of words, former President Obasanjo fired on Saturday, 24th November, 2012 by stating through his spokesman, Malam Garba Deen Mohammed, “When did General Gowan become the spokesman of the Jonathan administration?” He further stated, “There’s nothing irresponsible about my comments on the insecurity in Nigeria. I was only interpreting the reality. I expressed an opinion on the way the Boko Haram crises is being handled and said if the current strategy is not working, then there has to be a change of strategy to achieve results. If the strategy were working, then there has to be a change of strategy to achieve results. If the strategy were working, Boko Haram would have become a thing of the past by now.”
For a country in desperate need of a decisive and positive anchor in leadership direction, both present and former leaders are expected to have common strategic objectives of fighting crime and corruption. The people expect distinctive competence while proficiently guiding them towards a more hopeful future. A highly educated society with ideals would be forced to eliminatepartiality of religion, ethnicity or regional diversity. Our leaders in Nigerian are no doubt Nigerians themselves, therefore our leaders are a reflection of what we ourselves are. A more objective assessment of our Nation’s public affairs would be more welcome in today’s society. The acclaimed writer, Chinua Achebe has said that Nigeria’s problems can be attributed to bad leadership. But can a country of 160 million claim to be pious and blame total corruption and insecurity on the government? The answer has to be no, for in us the people lies the solution to all our problems.
As leaders and followers we are collectively responsible for fairness, honesty and integrity. The laws of the land should be just and transparent. There should not be an encouragement of financial dictatorship by endorsing the powerful and wealthy to be even stronger; and this can be done with the imposition of an efficient tax system. Commendably, the Federal Inland Revenue Service has done a courageous job of collecting 3.5 trillion naira in 2012 alone. The law enforcement agencies need to be restructured. Instead of pointing accusing fingers at security forces for not doing their jobs properly, why not replace that criticism with a system that rewards officers for preventing any form of criminal activity taking place while they are on duty? Major changes and reforms should take place with a specific emphasis on economic activity while encouraging consumer demand and job creation. Essential infrastructures such as roads, ports, schools, hospitals, and information technology machinery should be prioritized. The rebranding and rebuilding of Nigeria’s seemingly lost glory should be achieved passionately, with a sense of great national pride. A solid legacy should be left for the future generation of Nigerians to come.
After the advent of the oil boom in the 1970’s, Nigeria’s ranking in the world has declined considerably. Nigeria is faced with numerous economic problems including a serious decline in its agricultural sector and a claustrophobic external debt situation; one that seems to be mounting. According to the World Bank Economic Review,“ While some decline in nonoil traded goods sector reflects efficient adjustment to the oil boom, policy with regards to public expenditure, exchange rates, pricing, and the trade regime could exacerbate such decline and impede readjustments as the boom subsides.”
Nigeria is the largest producer of oil in sub- Saharan Africa and a member of OPEC since 1971. Yet appallingly, Nigeria has the third highest number of poor people in the world, after China and India. We are plagued by low levels of human development (two out of five children are stunted in growth), regional, religious and social conflicts as well as environmental challenges. It has become apparent that the vast natural resources at Nigeria’s disposal have apparently not advanced human development at all. The discovery of crude should have afforded Nigeria an advantageous opportunity to generate national income and the living standards of its people much improved.
Leadership is a continually evolving responsibility that requires creativity and positive energy; with certain principals and techniques adopted as tools to manage people and the economy. The most valuable aspect of its economy are its human resources. These human resource capability factors relate to the possession and use of human resources especially specified skills that have a bearing on the economic capacity and ability to implement productive strategies. Relevant factors include extensive manpower planning, public corporate image, quality of public office holders and public/civil servants, union managements and relations, employment, and importantly the satisfaction and moral of the people.
My fellow Nigerians should be empowered and motivated to achieve common goals for the good of the country as a whole. Transparent leadership recognizes the strengths and weaknesses of their people. They strengthen the weaknesses and build on the strengths. The society must be educated enough to share information for the sake of nation building. We want to follow and trust our leaders to lead us on the right path to follow. Mistakes are made by all nations of the world but Nigeria desperately needs to acknowledge its short comings and highlight them in the most plausible way. The reality of the situation of Nigeria today is a far cry from the qualities listed above.
All past Heads of States and Presidents of this great nation have contributed various positive policies to build Nigeria. The passion of Nigerians should be engaged to deliver on the core values of our founding fathers. John Maxwell has defined leadership as influence. The trust in entirety of the past and present leaders by Nigerians is a burden they have to bear. There is no room for the breach of that trust, neglecting transparency or the compromise of integrity via a failure to act positively or the unwholesome practices of unethical violations.
The pride of our leaders should be ignored for innovative implementations to achieve success. We are ideally to be committed by one common goal: The security, economic strength and pride of national sovereignty of all Nigerians. But when the influential leaders of the giant of Africa are engaged in a caustic public display of accusatory words, it does little for the moral of a desperate society other than highlight the tussle of the dragons.
Written By Hannatu Musawa
I invite you to follow me on Twitter-@hanneymusawa
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Response To Tussle Of The Dragons By Hannatu Musawa
Submitted by Oye (not verified) on December 16, 2012 - 00:49.
Hannatu, You Have Said a lot of truisms, But There Is Something That Bothers Me Deeply, We Are All Running Away From The Very Bitter Truth, STATE FAILURE, ABJECT STATE FAILURE IN EVERY SENSE OF THE TERM, A POPULATION OF 160 MILLION PEOPLE HAS NO EXCUSE, WE MUST NOT SIT BACK & WRITE, WE MUST ACT, CALL THE WORLD TO OUR PLIGHT --- NIGERIA IS A TIME BOMB WAITING TO EXPLODE, THE SCALE OF HUMAN DEGRADATION & REDUCTION OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT IS ALARMING, THIS ISSUE OF A SECTION OF PEOPLE HIDING BEHIND THE CLOAK OF I AM EDUCATED, OR THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS & NT ACTING ON THEIR PRIMARY PURPOSE OF BEEN IN GOVERNMENT - PROVISION & MAINTENANCE OF INFRASTRUCTURE -- EVERY PROBLEM NIGERIA IS FACING IS SIMPLY A FRUIT OF STATE FAILURE, YOU CAN BE CORRUPT -- BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN YOU SHOULD NOT DEVELOP YOUR COUNTRY ! A Motion For A Sovereign National Conference Must Be Moved & Free Nigeria & Her People From ' The Dragons '
GOD BLESS YOU & MAY HE HELP US ALL. {Amen}
Response To Tussle Of The Dragons By Hannatu Musawa
Submitted by Oye (not verified) on December 16, 2012 - 00:45.
Hannatu, You Have Said a lot of truisms, But There Is Something That Bothers Me Deeply, We Are All Running Away From The Very Bitter Truth, STATE FAILURE, ABJECT STATE FAILURE IN EVERY SENSE OF THE TERM, A POPULATION OF 160 MILLION PEOPLE HAS NO EXCUSE, WE MUST NOT SIT BACK & WRITE, WE MUST ACT, CALL THE WORLD TO OUR PLIGHT --- NIGERIA IS A TIME BOMB WAITING TO EXPLODE, THE SCALE OF HUMAN DEGRADATION & REDUCTION OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT IS ALARMING, THIS ISSUE OF A SECTION OF PEOPLE HIDING BEHIND THE CLOAK OF I AM EDUCATED, OR THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS & NT ACTING ON THEIR PRIMARY PURPOSE OF BEEN IN GOVERNMENT - PROVISION & MAINTENANCE OF INFRASTRUCTURE -- EVERY PROBLEM NIGERIA IS FACING IS SIMPLY A FRUIT OF STATE FAILURE, YOU CAN BE CORRUPT -- BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN YOU SHOULD NOT DEVELOP YOUR COUNTRY ! A Motion For A Sovereign National Conference Must Be Moved & Free Nigeria & Her People From ' The Dragons '
GOD BLESS YOU & MAY HE HELP US ALL. {Amen}
@D: Bad heading D!, bad heading
Submitted by Shaka dZulu (not verified) on December 2, 2012 - 08:17.
Ah ah Deri! Its like you dey follow your Oga dey condole only to come spoil am with your heading.
Oga junior broda wey die sey na AIDS kill am?
Haba D! You won't for once, even in death, sheath your sword.
At least you're smarter than those 5 who went to the section where her death was announced to abuse the bereaved and the sympathizers.
buhari him daughter nko na aids kill am-fulan don kill naija
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 1, 2012 - 23:55.
President Goodluck Jonathan has commiserated with former Head of State, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), on the death of his eldest daughter, Zulaihatu.He prayed in a condolence letter to General Buhari that God would comfort him and grant him and members of his family succour from the pain of losing a beloved child.A statement issued by presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, in Abuja on Friday quoted the President as saying: “I write to extend very sincere commiserations to you and your family on the death of your eldest daughter, Zulaihatu yesterday November 29, 2012.“I can well imagine the profound pain, sadness and sorrow brought upon you by the tragic loss of a beloved child whom you have nurtured and raised to adulthood.
hannyI
Submitted by Ayobami (not verified) on November 28, 2012 - 21:01.
I im happy
what for ? most beautiful people or BIG people are not always intelligent,but Hannatu is fine in outlook and output.Leave those monkeys and gorilla from ss and se alone.its in their character.
After all we have the finest they can produce at the helm. So they need not demonstrate their attitude again, their big masquerade is still dancing
Keep on the good work
Thank you Ghana man
Submitted by Thank You Ghana Man (not verified) on November 28, 2012 - 19:39.
"Well said Sir,I am a Ghanaian, Like Ex President Rawlings said during General Ojukwu's burial 'This great son of Africa fought for Justice, Fairness and equity and Gowon fought for Unity' he just stopped short of saying unity without purpose. What a hypocritical country Nigeria is,already a divided nation Ohanaeze for Igbos, Arewa for the Fulani and Oduduwa for the Yeruba etc, and hypocritically all there respective leaders are going around talking of unity.I Have children myself and it feels odd to see people defending the likes of Gowon, Awolowo etc. These individuals are murderers to put it mildly, any wonder that the chickens are coming home to roost? It is definitely going to spread to the west through Ibadan. Just watch, lies are finally catching up with the dead giant of Africa. 'Clever drafting can only obscure reality, it will never change it' Henry Kissinger."
Adieu, Zig Ziglar
Submitted by Shaka dZulu (not verified) on November 28, 2012 - 19:36.
Personal development guru, Zig Ziglar passed away this morning after a bout with pneumonia.
He has positively touched millions of lives through his books, videos, motivational speakings, mentorings and exemplary leadershIp.
May his soul rest in peace.
FANTASTIC PIECE!
Submitted by Angelina M (not verified) on November 28, 2012 - 14:32.
A great peice by one of the finest minds in this generation in Nigeria today!
A JOB WELL DONE!
Submitted by Angelina M (not verified) on November 28, 2012 - 14:27.
A FANTASTIC ARTICLE BY ONE OF THE CLEAREST AND SOUNDEST MINDS IN THIS GENERATION IN NIGERIA TODAY!
I disagree with you. You are
Submitted by Auwalu Yahaya (not verified) on November 28, 2012 - 10:16.
I disagree with you. You are only being a pessimistic. Hannatu is right, but if pessimists like you will embrace optimism. Also, I dont know if you believe in God. If you do, I think you have to do what God says - like love God, love ur neighbor...... being truthful.... e.t.c and also teach and build our children on this values. Then we can have a Nation of our own. God bless Nigeria.
PRISON OKAY FOR THE DRAGONS
Submitted by Chuka (not verified) on November 28, 2012 - 09:19.
what is okay for these unscrupulous fellows called ex-heads of states-Gowon,OBJ,Shagari,Buhari,Babangida,Shonekan,Abacha,abdulsalam,OBJ is throwing them to rot in jail for all atrocities committed against the country.I'm afraid that the boyfriend outside asking the wife to make the hell of the home for the hubby to leave may not find a house after all. The country is tilting towards 'obituary' except something serious happen. A word is enough for the wise!
GREAT PEICE
Submitted by Angelina M (not verified) on November 28, 2012 - 00:49.
We do have enormous challenges in Nigeria but a true inspiration for us all are writers and patriots such as Hannatu: she highlights issues to be addressed without mincing her words. Keep inspiring us.
Hanny, be real for once. off your eyes on ss, se, sw
Submitted by hanny be real (not verified) on November 28, 2012 - 00:34.
Dear Hanny,
Why? you are not in any way near reality. For this, be advised: Rather than your write up on Nigeria the 'giant' country, it shall pay you better to start to construct Arewa Republic. Arewa Rep. needs people like you seriously. Please off your gaze on southsouth, southeast and Oduduwa republic in the making. The earlier the better for you. Your talk of great Nigerian nation is irritating to honest people. A nation where it is worst in the world to have a child born in 2013, despite our 50 years of oil wealth. For how long shall we continue this Nigeria experiment at Hanny's pleasure?. Hanny's older uncles placed excessive greed at the forefront in their attitude to Nigeria. That's how they crumbled the Nigerian cookie.
Hanatu One Nigeria SWEET You, but de pain most other Nigerians
Submitted by Buckii (not verified) on November 27, 2012 - 23:35.
@Hanatu, your preachment and high hopes on One Nigeria, and the counttry becoming a nation is purely hinged on what you and your kinsmen derive from the country, not what you and them bring to have the country become a nation - and a prosperous one. So stop all these your epistles on "great nation Nigeria," "great leaders of Nigeria," etc. Are you blind, Hannatu? Nigeria is a crippled country. Your fellow Hausa/Fulani who led in military uniform drove Nigeria over the cliff through their own personal greed and machinations to have your kinsmen continue to lord it over the rest in Nigeria. But the rest now say no to Nigeria being George Orwell's Animal Farm. Hannatu, the bubble is burst, face reality. Stop your wishful thinking of nation Nigeria. It has not been, it is not, and shall never be. Hannatu's kinsmen made it so. Hannatu, I still suspect you are not the author of your essays published on SR.
Hannatu, how about suspending pretense for a minute?
Submitted by Naija East Coast...Uh Yesoo (not verified) on November 27, 2012 - 21:38.
Hannatu, how about suspending pretense for a minute and muscle out the courage and say exactly what is going on in Nigeria today, which is that Nigeria is a country of the tribe, by the tribe and for the tribe. One Nigeria is a fantasy. There has never been a vision for a one Nigeria, where everybody is welcome. We don’t like each other and, we don’t trust each other. Anybody that says otherwise is a liar, a cheater and of course, an Abuja looter politician. Nobody can rule this country and make every region happy. The only chance for a one Nigeria is through SNC first, then a leader. How come from 1960 to date that we can’t find that “good leader”? How come the so called leaders treat us like Robo-calls once in aso rock? They listen to us cry and quietly hang up the phone on us.
SS & SE republic is the largest producer of oil in sub
Submitted by akpos1 (not verified) on November 27, 2012 - 21:02.
SS & SE republic is the largest producer of oil in sub saharan africa NOT Nigeria.
Hanney, be warned.
Long live the United States of the SS & SE
NOTHING IS WORKING,ONLY A CONFEDERACY WILL BRING PROGRESS.
Submitted by osita DIOKA (not verified) on November 27, 2012 - 20:51.
The present political structure coupled with an extremely corrupt political establishment are the main obstacles to progress in Nigeria.Hajia Hannatu comes from the part of the political spectrum(northern oligarchy)whose political lives are dedicated to the scramble for the oil and gas reserves,so she and her school of thought would prefer a Nigeria where the dysfunctional status-quo is sustained but in the absences of real justice,equity,fairness etc,they preach peace but just enough peace to allow the flow of the oil and gas dollars from the southern oil wells.
The decentralization of power,a weak centre and strong regional governments will speed up economic independence,rapidly improve security and give Nigerians to fashion out the type of societies they want to live in.The Boko-Haram insurgence is partly driven by the inadequacies of the present system,if Nigerians want a permanent solution to our multiple problems,there must be a universal approach.
@ Hannatu Musawa, Nigerians need a change of heart.
Submitted by Elmango Meat (not verified) on November 27, 2012 - 18:18.
@ Hannatu Musawa:
"Transparent leadership recognizes the strengths and weaknesses of their people. They strengthen the weaknesses and build on the strengths."
Nigeria has never really had leadership that will encompass those qualities you mentioned if you consider that Leadership is a process whereby an individual influences a group to achieve a common goal; achieving this process by applying their leadership knowledge and skills.
OBJ and Gowon are 2 sides of the same coin: they represent leaders with a different idea about this common goal. Most of our leader's goals is to make more money to the detriment of the people. Until the people accept that this concept does not sit well with them, we are going nowhere. The leaders need a change of heart - persuaded or forced.
Sadly, Poverty and Greed spirits have totally numbed our minds to a state of National paralysis.
@ Hannatu Musawa, Thanks, keep it up!
Bad Hairday Hannatu!
Submitted by Udam Ochiaghandigbo (not verified) on November 27, 2012 - 18:06.
First off, Nigeria is by no means a great country. Great in what ways? In the ways of Boko Haram, bombing Church worshippers in their Churches, being ranked #2 with regards to Corruption, and having foolanis try to spread their tentacles in every nook and cranny of the country destroying indegens' farmland, or having 12 states in violation of the constitution by establishing sharia doctrine and their police (hisbah) harrassing Christians in those states? That's not any sane person's definition of a great country. We take solace that 2014 is fast approaching when the clause that amalgamated Nigeria that provides for the reevaluation of the Union after 100 years will be tested. Clearly, the Union is not working and a break-up is envisaged come 2014. Every writer has a bad day. Hannatu, I guess this write-up reflects your bad day.
Your column is fully
Submitted by Abdulmalik Ahmed (not verified) on November 27, 2012 - 17:51.
Your column is fully inspirational, but let it not be in vain. As valuable things in Nigeria are treated with condescension.
