Peace in Nigeria

As we march in favour of democracy & development, let us not presume that the troubled peace in our country will self-resolve. Yet, this seems to be the general direction if not tendency we seem to be headed. Wrong, very wrong.

First off, we are not agreed on the root causes of the problem. Second, the forces of unity are at once rooted and floating! They want a big and bold country, bonded in egalitarian democracy but are not ready for full and fulfilling federalism. Third, we are disabling and dis-enabling our vibrant youth population, it's just mind-boggling and baffling. Fourth, we have ignored Nigerian women in nation building: can you beat that? Finally, the politicians are misusing both religion and ethnicity (two of our most cherished gems and core values) in blind pursuit of personal ambitions and unbridled brigandage. The result is the shame-soaked badge of worsening corruption and deepening poverty.

Tackle these at base and get on the firm path to democracy, development and peace - enduring peace.

Who will take us there? The political class, nudged by elders, battled by civil society, supported by the international community. The arrowhead? National Assembly.

Monitored and recorded by the Nigerian Media - fearlessly, robustly and patriotically.

Is ECOWAS for West Africans?

The whole idea of regional integration is so exciting that no one can fault, or should fault, the ECOWAS Dream. And there is good support for it.

Let's be fair. ECOWAS is working. Especially in the area of advancing stability, peace and security thus promoting and sustaining democracy within this dynamic sub-region of Africa. Kudos to our political leaders.

Let's be truthful. ECOWAS is not flying. Especially in economic advancement and community spirit thus defeating the lofty goals of regional integration. Knock for our political leaders.

Considering the origins and continued yearnings of our combined populations, we should be far ahead in the development game by now. Why aren't we? Aha, gotcha!

Politics. Politicians. Neo-colonialism. Bureaucracy. Corruption. NEPAD. Unhealthy Competition instead of Undiluted Complementarity. Lack of Strategic Connective Infrastructure. Security without Prosperity equals POVERTY. No Full-Time Parliament. Not Learning creatively from... the EU.

The most important? Absence of Citizen-Participation.

Got that? Ask your Government.

The APRIL of our LIFE!

I am an April Boy! Had my birthday on the 5th, after we couldn't vote on the 2nd. It gave me the chance to do much thinking. If at 57 I can't boast of this country, I wondered how Pa Anthony Enahoro felt on his way to the Land of Elders! This, after and despite his heroic roles in securing Nigeria's independence and procuring true democracy in our land. Will things change before I head same way? Absolutely, I resolved.

Why and how? The rescheduled election will hold, and succeed, and be a plus for the nation; and a justification for our struggles. I see the signs, you'll have the evidence in abundance on the 10th - the morning after.

This April 2011 is the April of our Life! We must make it the beginning of all good things electoral, all great things democratic. I see the seeds, we'll reap the fruits in abundance from 29 May this 2011 - the month after.

So, I celebrate my day to elevate my country to its just status, its manifest destiny. This April.

WATER and SANITATION

You won’t see or fully appreciate the excruciating pain and paralysis Rural-Nigeria goes through in search of WATER unless, and until, you go live with them. I have been and I feel so sad, so sorry and so powerless in the face of their agony that I must sadly APOLOGIZE on behalf of us all to them all. Dear Nigerians (I mean those of us with our conscience in place, plus those of the ruling class still left with any conscience at all!), please join in in this perplexing apology. Even if you are waterless like most of us, or live in Rural-Nigeria like most of our folks, let’s just APOLOGIZE.

Commonsense dictates that without water, talk not SANITATION. Nigeria’s government says only 35% of Nigerians have access to safe water (read potable water) - after 50 years of independence, and being in the tropics, surrounded by numerous water bodies! Then there is the small matter of 37 MDAs with regular and irregular annual budgets in the WATER sector. Repeat that in the HEALTH sector, in the AGRIC & RURAL DEV sector, in the MDGs Portfolio, in the DEBT-RELIEF Portfolio, and in several DEV-ASSIST cum DONOR-SUPPORT Programmes. It is simply unconscionable! And, yes, we must APOLOGIZE.

In all conscience, we must now resolve this issue once and for all. Any governor or local government chairman that cannot or will not provide safe drinking water to their citizens MUST be recalled or impeached by the people! Note I did not include the president? Yes, because I see little business of the federal government in water supply - except of course in mega dam projects and selected regional schemes. Yes, because I say we must review the revenue allocation formula to give more resources to states and local governments for sustainable development. Yes, because right now the federal government is collecting obscene sums and simply squandering same!

We speak of Water & Sanitation today because the world just celebrated World Water Day. Nigeria observed its rituals but not its rigours!

To do it right, we must use Election 2011 to clear the deck. Vote right, folks, vote the right people this time!

Nigeria To Pass FoI Bill....At Last!

Nigeria's House of Reps has passed the Freedom of Information (FoI) Bill. Good news! It now goes to the Senate for concurrence. Happily, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is reported to be awaiting it for immediate assent.

There are of course a few areas of concern to civil society: exemption of military budgets and lack of express provisions for citizen-action and protection. These can and should be resolved at "conference" once the Senate is fully sensitized and engaged. Otherwise, the next parliament should take up appropriate amendments fro July 2011.

Let us thank the reps for their part, and encourage the senators to do full justice to this bill once and for all.

The war against corruption may now look really serious!

EFCC, THIS BE YOUR CHANCE!

Following upon both its pledge and threat to STOP corrupt and all them corrupted politicians, Farida Waziri and her tough cops have their chance at last: 2011 General Elections!

Okay, let’s clarify: No one is guilty until so pronounced by the courts. And no frivolous charges or arrangee trials will do. Most citizens and our foreign friends like the EFCC and can heartily say, Carry-Go!

Since the law does not bar you from investigating anyone, including the president, please proceed to announce what you’ve found so far against our rulers. For those who enjoy immunity, charge their accomplices right away! If their principals are clean, they’ll stay out of your way - and, please God, may rapidly cooperate! Some leaders are simply surrounded by wolves, and EFCC must help save them.

With the support of the president and the chief justice of Nigeria as well as speakers of state assemblies, let the national assembly amend the constitution this February. Create special courts for economic crimes and electoral offences. While at it, they should simply delete the immunity clause and pass the freedom of information bill, the petroleum industry bill and the antiterrorism bill.

Message: If you want our votes and you are NOT squeaky clean, step thee aside. Or go clear yourself!

Last Word: Why would anyone worry about EFCC when they all say they are clean and in the clear! Four years on, and they are panicky! BOTH sides must now prove their worth, their WORD - Farida vs Fake-rulers.

May God justify the just, amen.

BANKS and RUMOURS

Our people thrive on tales, tabloids, hearsay and rumours! Fabricated and lubricated the rumour mills spin luxuriant in the absence of full information or secrecy. For governance and public policy, it is double jeopardy if not tipple tragedy. Get the truth out and kill the rumour merchants, especially them mischief makers.

Yes, our banks are riding the rough patch right now as the rosy past - contrived and condoned - is, shall we say, past. They are trying hard to whether the self-induced storm plus stemming the tempests of the global economic crises/credit crunch. Investors’ confidence is low, customers’ enthusiasm is dampened, crime-busters are hovering, workers are being laid-off, corporate image is tumbling and the erstwhile swagger of bankers turning stagger! Tough.

Then, the regulators: CBN, NDIC and SEC are breathing down - no more voodoo banking and paper profits, no more life-chairmen or CEOs, no more bad credit and insider trading, no more capital market shenanigans! And the professions: CIBN,CIIN and NSE are cleaning up banking, insurance and stock broking practice as self-regulatory/certification bodies.

Oh, the media: what can we say? They are rightly beaming the biting and piercing searchlight on banks and banking. Constantly seeking scoops, and exultant from its recent salacious coverage of the monumental rot in the industry, they will follow any lead and sensationalize any break!

Being together in the Bankers Committee, the CIBN and the industry one would expect the banks to bond and brace for the turbulence at hand and the triumphs ahead. Instead, we are seeing untoward practices, impunity and criminal competitor-demarketing! It didn’t just start, it’s been a part of their weird survival tactics - pulling others down (PHD syndrome). Why?

The latest is some dirty rumours about three banks they claim are to be liquidated by the authorities! They advise depositors to withdraw their money before it is too late!! Why?

The CBN has rightly intervened by issuing a prompt rebuttal. But it must do more: fish out the culprits and prosecute them!

Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill

We must ask the Nigerian parliament to pass the FOI Bill into law soonest - as it has done with the electoral act and constitution amendment. We must regret that civil society, Labour, the Bar Association and Nigerian students have not taken on the politicians to stop their blatant disrespect for, and total insensitivity to, our collective call for the law in the last 12 years! Now, they must.

We ask the Save Nigeria Group to place this case on the front burner. This National Assembly must not expire without passing the bill into law, and President Jonathan needs to announce his eagerness to assent today!

Though this is not a media-only law, we must call on the Nigerian Press to rise to its full height and bring this matter to either an early resolution or an early confrontation. We cannot fight for democracy and its biggest beneficiaries treat the nation with such contempt. Not allowed.

FOI is now an election issue: Vote for it and you may return; vote against and you are gone! This is the message every medium, all media, must make a banner clip each and every day - as we countdown to Election Day 2011.

Watching This Country, NIGERIA!

After 100 Days of the new dispensation, i.e. since the April Elections/selections, we must say to ourselves that "Da World is surely Watching". And, may they WATCH!

I have a very simple comment, nay, prediction: All who made hay while the fake sun of the fake powers lasted shall be sorry where they'll land, nay, roast. We watch.

Many installed-puppets are ranging their installer-puppeteers studiously, cautiously, cleverly, and even covetously.....for da FINAL roasting! We watch.

It will be feverish, it shall be flashy, even fetish. Pray wishful or washy or windy, it shall be fatal.
The books will never be da same, again! We watch.

Hints: Read up on the states and the deadly manoeuvres aboard, and afoot.

Hints: Soak up on the National Assembly, especially the mood and motions of the senators.

Key: Contemplate the presidency, and the actions plus non-actions of da incumbent.

The next 100 Days...are ominously ominous. Da game of fame changes. Da gate of shame opens.

Mark my words!