THE MYTH ABOUT NIGERIA BEING WEALTHY

Nigeria has oil you may say and a land mass that potentially can feed the continent. How dare i call our Nation's wealth a myth, don't i see our vast mineral resources scattered all over the country. Dear friend, forget your belief that we live in a wealthy and blessed country because our country happens to be one of the poorest nations in the world. 

Before you say i don't know what i am talking about and push the article aside. Let me share with you an illustration. A few years ago, an illuminating World Bank report titled 'where is the wealth of nations? Measuring capital for the 21st century' undertook to measure the wealth of 120 world nations in the year 2000. 

The conclusion of that report is that it is NOT a country's tangible assets whether natural or produced; it is NOT a country's mineral resources, agricultural land, forests, industrial equipment and infrastructure which make the country rich and prosperous. It is rather the country's intangible assets, that is:

· the skills and know how embodied in the labor force.

·the ability of a nation to efficiently invest the rent extracted from the exploitation of exhaustible resources.

·the mutual trusts which exists among members of a society.

·their ability to work together for a common goal to which they strongly adhere and in which they firmly believe.

·the quality of formal and informal institutions

·the saving and maintanance culture.

·the extent to which citizens have confidence in the law of the land and abide by them.

And, ·patriotism, that is, both the extent to which citizens trust and support their government and the extent to which government trusts and supports citizens.

To quote the world bank :" Rich countries are largely rich because of the skills of their population and the quality of the institutions supporting economic activity".

Among the 120 countries scrutinized and ranked by the report. Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, the USA and Germany were the first five. Ethiopia was the last. Nigeria came just before Ethiopia.

Do you still believe Nigeria is wealthy? I guess not.  You must now realize how broke we are as a nation. Are you willing to help our country grow and become wealthy? Would you help us take our rightful place among the comity of nations. 

Become a solution provider. Become the leader you were born to be and you would be playing your part already.

Warmest regards.

Adedunmade Onibokun Esq.




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Boko boys; over and over again

The woman in the above photo rose from bed this morning filled with christmas cheer and happiness. Why not,It's christmas day and celebrating the birth of christ has made her glad. The same way you felt when you rose from bed this morning december 25th.

Her kitchen is filled with many delicacies, her phone chipping from the calls of friends and loved ones who would be coming to celebrate with her later in the day. She however must first attend Mass at St. Theresa's church in suleja. With excitement and a joyous heart she heads to church to pray and thank God.

Unknown to her though, evil lurks in the corner, a suicide bomber strapped with explosives that would later kill as many as 25 people and injure many others also heads to her church. Where he intends to bring sorrow to her family. This he has succeeded in doing. You can see her being rushed away for medical attention. Only Heaven knows what her faith holds.

After the bomb that shook suleja this morning and another explosion in jos, we are once again reminded of the rotten elements who live amongst us in the name of the islamic sect Boko Haram. We are reminded of the inadequacies in our infrastructures, for authorities are finding it difficult to provide adequate health services to the casualties. The incompetence of our security agencies looks us in the face.

Even though, you and I would continue to wine and dine today. Let us remember to say a word of prayer for the survivors of today's attack. Let us reflect soberly on the state of affairs in our nation and let us profer solutions to our common problems.

This article is dedicated to those who lost their lives today december 25th 2012,may their souls rest in peace and may their families have the strength and courage to celebrate life next christmas.

REMOVAL OF FUEL SUBSIDY;in whose interest?

After the town hall meeting which had various actors of our economic sectors present, it is evident the issue of subsidy is not going anywhere, as it has now become an issue of WHEN It would commence and HOW it would be commenced.

Present were members of the civil society and leaders of government agencies such as Madam Okonji Iweala, Lamido Sanusi Lamido, Ben Bruce, Adams Oshiomole, Femi Falana, Olisa Agbakoba SAN and Alison Madueke. Present were also champions in business such as Dangote,Femi Otedola, seasoned journalists and youths were also duly represented.

Back however to the big word SUBSIDY, let's go back to the facts. Subsidy cost us over 1 trillion naira to fund yearly, and we borrow just to fulfil this righteousness. Last year,we borrowed a total of about 850 billion naira,all of which was not sufficient to fund the subsidy. Government borrowing is going higher and this is an opportunity to cut down on it.

Petrol is delivered to Nigeria at 140 naira but government gets it to the people at 65naira, meaning 75 naira is paid from government coffers. Though in the inter lands it is sold at between 80naira - 100naira. We can blame factors such as bad road transportation and destroyed nnpc pipes for this trend.

According to Madam Iweala, we consume 35 million litres of fuel daily,part of it which is diverted by the members of the so called CABAL (Nigeria's imaginary group of scoundrels responsible for all our pain) into neighbouring countries. Also one-third of government expenditure which should be used on providing health services, security,employment,development of infrastructure and power is wasted on subsidy. However the government fails to account for all the monies that have been spent so far.

No doubt,the argument for subsidy is sound from the view of the economy,if removed it would give the economy a boost, providing an environment for private sector participation. Asking a person to invest 4 billion dollars the cost of building a refinery in Nigeria and limit his profit margin is not a good business deal. Illustrations of the gains of subsidy is visible in the communication, aviation and agricultural sectors

Another option which also could be taken by government is subsidising local production and refinery of oil and not subsidising on import. As addressed in the meeting,the issue of trust is also fundamental. We have been deceived time and time again. Someone is probably planning how much more he would have to steal when subsidy is removed and he is awarded a larger allocation for his responsibilities.

If government cannot show us that it is dedicated to preventing waste by fighting corruption and plugging the
loop holes in government expenditure. It would be difficult to convince Nigerians that this administration means well. If some people are above the law and cannot be prosecuted,how can we have confidence in the government.

The people can play their part by continually engaging government, demanding credibility and accountability. Always inquire into how you are being governed. Take full use of the FOI Act, let our government representatives explain to us everything they do and why they do it. We cannot continue to condone a free for all dip into government coffers at our discomfort.

No more mago mago is allowed in government. Let us promote the course of good governance.

Adedunmade Onibokun Esq.
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Totally flabbergasted

This is the first time,I would ever use the word "flabbergasted" in an article,it is the only word however that truly conveys the way I truly feel inside, though stunned,amazed,shocked or surprised would also do. English lessons are however for another day.

Let's go to the "what" that has made me feel this way, it is what I have coined "Government violence". Government violence is the use of force to bend the will of the citizenry usually through agencies of the government such as the police,army etc.

For instance,over the past weekend, lagosians who voted for Governor Fashola were beaten, assaulted and arrested by agents of the government over a peaceful protest of the lekki toll fare, this is shameful since I always believed in the government of Governor Fashola,me being a barrister myself. I never thought the Governor would ever give such an order but alas he did.

Another instance is Egypt and the way the military government is dealing with its citizens, there were reports and widely circulated videos on the internet of soilders shooting at protestants. Let us not forget of course the occupiers in America who were also manhandled recently.

What gives government the right to use physical force on the people its leaders swore to protect. Why have governments chosen dictatorship over diplomacy and dialogue.

News of police also gearing up for protesters against the intended fuel subsidy by purchasing batons and other tools of enforcing pain and fear on Nigerians also baffles me.

I would however warn President Jonathan that fuel subsidy is a great test of his administration and if he intends to pursue it by beating the common Nigerian just for saying he cannot afford to pay for fuel at exorbitant prices,he may as well get ready to leave Aso Rock because I know there is already revolution in the air, harming us would do more damage than good to his administration.

As a word to my fellow Nigerians, civil disobedience and protesting as always been a way of engaging an insensitive government. I would however urge us to be creative and peaceful in all ways of engaging government.

But on no circumstances should force be used on Nigerians ever again by any government or that government may just be biting more than it can chew.

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HOPE IS NOT LOST

"These past few days, every corner I turn to in my Country, there's dejection, lack, rebellion, lamentation, blood shed, subsidy Removal, poverty, ASUU Strike, Benin-Ore Road, unemployed Youth, Bombings, Bank Robberies, passive and non-responsive Governments, misguided and inefficient Leaders, high interest rate, No electricity, Insecurity et al! As a Young Leader, I should inspire HOPE but am running Out! HELP - Toyosi Akerele(december 2011) "

When we take a look at the Nigerian society, there is no doubt that we all must feel like Miss Akerele did when writing the above quote. It seems like everything is wrong and all our activism is getting no where. We feel all our efforts may just be going down the drain and the populace whom we fight for are not encouraging either. I believe though, that all HOPE IS NOT LOST.

Miss Akerele and others can take succour in the fact that our efforts have generated a national consciousness towards social and political development amongst Nigerian youths. Not only are youths challenging the status quo but we are constantly engaging government as we demand better dividends of democracy.

It is only a matter of time before we totally eradicate mediocrity in the ranks of our leaders and shower in an influx of revolutionary leaders. if Miss Akerele were to read this article,I would want her to derive HOPE in the knowledge that she is part of a generation of leaders who are responsible for the wind of change blowing across the country.

Though Nigeria may have all the characteristics of a failed state, all HOPE IS NOT LOST for it is through the rubble that our country shall rise again. It is possible though to get caught up and lost in the web of foul games played by our current misguided and ignorant leaders though I believe in the resilience of our spirit,the strength of our determination and the righteousness of our cause.

All HOPE IS NOT LOST because I know my fellow Nigerians,especially the youths would not rest until the country of our dreams becomes the country of our reality. I salute the likes of Miss Akerele and other youth leaders who are making a difference in our polity for posterity would always smile on us.
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Demanding Accountability

Most Nigerians do not know that it is our sacred duty to foster the cause of our great Nation. We search not for ways to engage government positively but rather let fate and crude leaders dictate our lives. This article profers a solution to that dilema, by learning  from history and great civil rights leaders of the past, I have come to the conclusion that civil disobedience is the only way to engage government successfully in a Nation like Nigeria.

 

The rule of law,is the foundation of a civilised society. It establishes a transparent process accesible and equal to all. It ensures adherence to principles that both liberate and protect. if Nigerians continue to circumvent the rule of law, our society would crumble like the head of humpty dumpty who sat on the wall and had a great fall. If we abuse our Rule of Law, our Nation would degenrate into chaos.

 

It is no longer news that the rights of Nigerians are trampled everyday by the very people who we thought would protect us;public officers and security agencies. The government is also as guilty as evidenced in some recent decisoions taken by the Executive and Judiciary arm of government. The Judiciary which should be the hope of the common man, is now selling justice to the highest bidder. When the Judiciary is not credible and active, parties would take recourse to violence in other to square with one another.

 

One major problem of Nigerians is the ability to suffer in silence, as the late music icon Fela put it "suffering and smiling". We lack the passion needed to demand accountability from our leaders. In protest of the dire standards in Africa, populations are beginning to revolt, questioning the system and challenging the government, Nigerians being in the forefront of the struggle. The year 2011 would be remembered as the year of the arab spring, 2012 just may be the year of the African Spring.

 

Nigerians are not new to civil disobedience, it has been practiced for years by agencies such as ASUU and NLC (nigerian labour congress), asking Nigerians to sit at home in protest of government policies and lecturers to stay away from lecture halls are examples of civi disobedience. Civil disobedience is completely non-violent and the most effective way of bringing the problems of the people to the attention of government.

 

The occupy wall street movement and its franchises are current examples of civil disobedience. Your form of civil disobedience may be hunger strikes, solidarity walks or just camping in front of your local government office, we must however bring our grievances to the attention of government.

 

Do you have grievances;bad roads, no water, no light? Stage a peaceful demonstration in protest in a good location. However, uphold the rule of no violence and prevent unscrupulous elements from taking advantage of your gathering, or else it defeats the desired results of civil disobedience.

Adedunmade Onibokun



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