Saturday, 4 February 2012
Nigeria’s Way Forward
Nigeria is a country blessed with enormous natural resources, but in the midst of plenty, it wallows in want. There are agitations from different quarters over what to do to make Nigeria great and better. The Niger Delta is a special case; we also have bribery and corruption in different sphere of the government, kidnapping, just to mention a few of the problems confronting the country today.
A few years ago, the former Minister of Information, Mrs. Dora Akunyili, introduced the policy of “rebranding” the nation so as to create a better image of Nigeria to the international community. But it is easier to imagine that goal than to actually get Nigerians to imbibe that culture into their minds and habits. Kidnapping in the South Eastern part of the country has become a lucrative business, as the criminals’ demand for ransoms is exceptionally high. What of the power show by our lawmakers, whose interest is their own pockets, forgetting the masses that ‘voted’ them into power? All these are manifestations of greed and corruption.
The agitation by the media to get the National Assembly to pass the Freedom of Information Bill has suffered a massive blow, as it has been thrown out on several occasions by the lawmakers. Perhaps our legislators do not want to nail themselves or to allow ‘classified information’ leak out to the public.
On and on the list continues, but the most important thing, at this point, is what can be done to move the country forward and have its name re-written in gold in the international community. It is necessary that things should be put in their right positions by:
retraining some of the public office holders to be mindful of the positions they are holding; and allowing only qualified personnel to handle certain sensitive positions, if not all positions of authority. This applies particularly to the clamour for free and fair elections. When our votes count, a great leader will be better for it. One right man taking office as the President of Nigeria – who is responsive and responsible – can take us to the Promised Land.
Another vital requirement is holding top public officials accountable for their misdeeds or mismanagement of public funds.
Blessing, O.
Lagos.
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TAKING EQUITABLE ACTION
Submitted by Eniye-Mason (not verified) on July 26, 2010 - 19:38.
In all my ponder on NIgeria & her hydra-headed problems, the biggest deterence to making progress I realized, is the inability, or refusal, of Nigerians to accept and see their fellow citizens as CO-EQUALS, period! This one factor blocks the reasoning of all such people, regions and governments to think that they can pry into or deny the inalienable rights of fellow citizens. They desire, like erstwhile Idi Amin, to appropriate their fellow citizens' rights even with inpunity. This leads to contriving ad-hoc, inequitable laws (instead of universally acceptable constitutional principles) for its relational and fiscal policies - which because of the numerous nationalities in Nigeria, is federal in nature.
There can never be peace until the rights of every human being is allowed all Nigerian citizens; if not, the clear message to such citizens is that they are unwanted in Nigeria. That is unacceptable. Postulation of solutions to our problems should also never be half-heartedly made with thoughts of some "general" gains - which only a few appropriate to themselves - from prying and denying fellow citizens of their rights. Nigerians should also stop deceiving themselves that when a 'big' man from their zone, state, tribe or community is settled, that they are comfortable - even if psychologically. Instead, that is precisely why it is disturbing, because school fees, house rents and our welfare wil never be tribally or regionally taken care of by these 'big' men. Enough of the deceit.
We need equitable and sustainable solutions, not psychological comfort - that in itself is barbaric. Love your brother as you want him to love you, no more no less; and we will make progress!
Submitted by profet (not verified) on July 23, 2010 - 01:00.
If we diagnose other developed countries' governement you will see psychologically the presence of REGIONALISM cum WELFARISM in the making:the spirit of regionalism blessed with welfarism is always fixed that make its subjects happy and proud.with the great zeal to return to their blessed lands wherever.REGIONALISM cum WELFARISM will spur great regional patrotism to regional development to regional competition to a pluralised and fast development.what we suffer is not tribalism but un-defined regional spirits inherent in all of us e.g late Awolowo.of course if we can help the needy, there is no problem helping our nothern nation/region with our blessed resources,but fashioning a good course for development means real patrotism:50 to 60% resources control for regions and the rest for federal control as its conrtibution of wealth distribution would be a great way forward.would bring the talents and prowess of the different regions=competition while the federal act as refree.
Submitted by Omo Yoruba (not verified) on July 23, 2010 - 01:00.
[quote]GOD HELP NIGERIA or GOD SAFE NIGERIA[/quote]
God will NOT help and God will NOT safe Nigeria because Nigerians are going against God's Will. We have been cursed in Nigeria for allowing cross breeding on a large scale. God created Yoruba, created Igbo, created Hausa, created Ijaw, created Kanuri, Benin, Isoko, Ibibio, Tiv, Urhobo, Igbira, Ekoi, Kamberi, Nupe etc and all of a sudden some people say we should forget our attributes- custom, tradition, culture, mother's tongue- and be one in the name of unity...it can never work. House full of bastards is a house full of cursed people and criminals. We have to go back to regions (even if its 251 regional governments), then God will help and safe Nigeria and Nigerians
Submitted by Miracle (not verified) on July 22, 2010 - 01:00.
Right, the concept of Nigeria in 6 regions has been begging for attention, to no avail, of course who cares? Day after day, Nigeria is being lead by bunch of decievers in different levels. Many of these so-called leaders have seen or heard of the welfare system in the US, where the government continually propped the weakest and poorest citizens with welfare packages. It is such a liberal largesse so applicable to people considered living below the national average, many times irrespective of your immigration status. Contrariwise, in Nigeria, our politians misappropriate our collective wealth and flagrantly show-them off with inpunity to our disdain. Many of the citizens are living below poverty line, but who cares? I pray that these so-called leaders will wake up tomorrow with a heart of flesh, a conscience to know that they are supposed to work for the people, whose money they corruptly abuse. God safe Nigeria.
Submitted by profet (not verified) on July 22, 2010 - 01:00.
REGIONALISM WITH WELFARISM IS THE ONLY WAY FORWARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!GO TO THE LIBARARY AND READ HISTORY.OUR NATURE IN NATIONS IN NIGERIA HAS WITH IT THE REGIONAL SPIRITS,WE BLINDLT SAY IT IS TRIBALISM,BUT IT IS NOT.WITHOUT REGIONALISM CUM WELFARISM WE WILL NEVER DEVELOP.POLITICAL SCIENTISTS SHOULD BE INVITED TO CARVE OUT HOW THIS REGIONALISM WITH WELFARISM SHOULD BE FORMED WITH LESS POWER AT THE CENTER.POLICAL PARTIES NAMES WITH REGIONAL NAMES AND SOCIAL WELFARE MANIFESTOES SHOULD PSYCHOLOGICAL START THIS BELIEVE INTO THE SYSTEM.if we do not we will not witness development and we are preparing no development but war for the children we produce anytime in this life.
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