Now that the ruling PDP has set the ball rolling, the floodgates should swing open for full-blown presidential and gubernatorial campaigns. As INEC chairman, Professor Maurice Iwu, recently said, we are yet to hear about issues, about ideologies, about contending and concrete proposals, about costs and funding options, about slates and winner-teams, etc., etc.
Let the debates and the ideas flow! Let Nigerians have both the fun and the final say!! Pray, let the campaigns begin!!!
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Sunday, January 21, 2007
OIL MONEY SAGA: A New Maths
It is time to redo the mathematics of oil & gas (O & G) revenue in Nigeria. By the way, this new deal will rub off on all mineral-bearing and producing areas in the years ahead. Health Warning: This may be a harrowing experience for die-hard cynics and faint-hearted politicians!
In the extant regimen, oil operations for the most part be a 60/40 Joint Venture in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria. With the present practice of revenue consumption, the Federal Government(FG) has over the years failed the Niger Delta people. Things are now so bad that our country has been branded a "terrorist zone" within OPEC and the international community! Pity.
EIGHT years into full-blown democracy, the political elite has compounded the situation, and is obviously in need of new ideas. As we proceed to general elections in April, not much is on offer by the political gladiators! They are massively distracted and disparate!! Worrisome.
It is now time to proffer a "People's Solution thru' New Maths". We need to rework the sums, both at investment and consumption levels. And we should do so with courage and total conviction. I will be a prime mover and humble crusader in this seminal approach to quality and sustainable intervention in my homeland. It will be a "Win-Win Maths" package for all: states, federal, zone, activists, operators and host communities. Preparatory consultation be afoot.
The good thing about this ground-swelling change is that new sets of leaders are expected to emerge by May this year, and these folks are unlikely to bear the avoidable baggage of failed history. They would be more progressive, credible, competitive and forward-looking. Hope.
Staying the course with present policies be no option!
In the extant regimen, oil operations for the most part be a 60/40 Joint Venture in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria. With the present practice of revenue consumption, the Federal Government(FG) has over the years failed the Niger Delta people. Things are now so bad that our country has been branded a "terrorist zone" within OPEC and the international community! Pity.
EIGHT years into full-blown democracy, the political elite has compounded the situation, and is obviously in need of new ideas. As we proceed to general elections in April, not much is on offer by the political gladiators! They are massively distracted and disparate!! Worrisome.
It is now time to proffer a "People's Solution thru' New Maths". We need to rework the sums, both at investment and consumption levels. And we should do so with courage and total conviction. I will be a prime mover and humble crusader in this seminal approach to quality and sustainable intervention in my homeland. It will be a "Win-Win Maths" package for all: states, federal, zone, activists, operators and host communities. Preparatory consultation be afoot.
The good thing about this ground-swelling change is that new sets of leaders are expected to emerge by May this year, and these folks are unlikely to bear the avoidable baggage of failed history. They would be more progressive, credible, competitive and forward-looking. Hope.
Staying the course with present policies be no option!
Saturday, January 20, 2007
A Word for Obasanjo and Abubakar
Now that one of the several matters between them is before the Supreme Court of Nigeria, to wit the question of whether the president and his party can sack the vice president for defecting to another party, both sides must hold fire. Having been treated to some of the ugliest revelations in our political cum democratic history in their roforofo fight, the time for a permanent cease-fire is now. Enough is enough!
Meanwhile let the president mind the transition programme and let Atiku Abubakar pursue his electoral ambition. We must also await the outcome of other matters before the National Assembly without prejudice. Nigeria needs all the peace it can garner in this critical election year. Let the president and his vice give us the space for peace.
If I were President Olusegun Obasanjo I will honour this advice/plea. If I were Vice President Atiku Abubakar I will embrace this appeal/counsel. It is eerily in their both interest so to do.
Pray God, may they.
Meanwhile let the president mind the transition programme and let Atiku Abubakar pursue his electoral ambition. We must also await the outcome of other matters before the National Assembly without prejudice. Nigeria needs all the peace it can garner in this critical election year. Let the president and his vice give us the space for peace.
If I were President Olusegun Obasanjo I will honour this advice/plea. If I were Vice President Atiku Abubakar I will embrace this appeal/counsel. It is eerily in their both interest so to do.
Pray God, may they.
Friday, January 12, 2007
How Many Are We?
The preliminary results from the 2006 head-count are out, and generating heated responses nationwide. Expected.
The Population Commission says we are about 140 million (Male: 72m, Female: 68m). It also puts North at 75m, South at 64m. Though it promises to give further details at a later date (in which case why the rush?), it reports that Lagos State has 9m while Kano State has 9.3m.
Although the commission rightly calls for reasoned observations and structured objections, the federal administration has speedily approved(?) the figures, with a promise to get parliament to follow suit. This National Assembly? Just wait!
In Nigeria, let's not forget, almost everything is controversial. May the census be very different? You kid! But the haste in releasing these figures is not going to help anyone. And the objections? Oh, both Lagos and Kano are crying foul already! Alarm.
Prediction: Considering that the two important states are of the "opposition" parties, there is no question that this disputation will be titanic! Watch.
Prediction: The Niger Delta State of Bayelsa (core of the Ijaw Nation) has cried foul. Considering its place in Nigeria's oil image, we must worry! Alert.
Prediction: The Obasanjo Administration is not necessarily a darling of the Nigerian Media, and can eerily count on the proudly independent press to do it no favours. Considering how long the PDP-controlled parliament stalled on the Freedom of Information bill, and being in an election quarter right now, it seems easy to foresee "payback" time!
Prediction: Tie this to the "Identity Card" scheme and the "Voters Registration" project and the botched Third Term Agenda, and you can be sure that the debates will rage for aye. Oh yes!
Outcome? I rest my case.
The Population Commission says we are about 140 million (Male: 72m, Female: 68m). It also puts North at 75m, South at 64m. Though it promises to give further details at a later date (in which case why the rush?), it reports that Lagos State has 9m while Kano State has 9.3m.
Although the commission rightly calls for reasoned observations and structured objections, the federal administration has speedily approved(?) the figures, with a promise to get parliament to follow suit. This National Assembly? Just wait!
In Nigeria, let's not forget, almost everything is controversial. May the census be very different? You kid! But the haste in releasing these figures is not going to help anyone. And the objections? Oh, both Lagos and Kano are crying foul already! Alarm.
Prediction: Considering that the two important states are of the "opposition" parties, there is no question that this disputation will be titanic! Watch.
Prediction: The Niger Delta State of Bayelsa (core of the Ijaw Nation) has cried foul. Considering its place in Nigeria's oil image, we must worry! Alert.
Prediction: The Obasanjo Administration is not necessarily a darling of the Nigerian Media, and can eerily count on the proudly independent press to do it no favours. Considering how long the PDP-controlled parliament stalled on the Freedom of Information bill, and being in an election quarter right now, it seems easy to foresee "payback" time!
Prediction: Tie this to the "Identity Card" scheme and the "Voters Registration" project and the botched Third Term Agenda, and you can be sure that the debates will rage for aye. Oh yes!
Outcome? I rest my case.
Where Are The Women?
As things are playing out so far, Nigerian women are not making gains in the political terrain. They have not made the cuts despite some party and institutional incentives. And, alarmingly, it seems they are losing some of the previous gains in both elective and appointive positions! Sad.
The recent party primaries have been disastrous for the gender crusade, and I wonder where this leads after the elections. Very painfully, the leading lights of the Golden Era of the Gender Agenda are aging, retiring, tired or retreating! Their otherwise vibrant successors seem to be berthing in political parties (especially the ruling PDP) for personal political careers or material rehabilitation!! Some simply used the crusade as launch-pads for self and family!!! Sad.
Most of the so-called women NGOs have withered and fizzled out, or have strayed into faddish realms like HIV/AIDS and The Environment in pursuit of cheap donor funding! Others have no clue on how to work in a democracy, or are too lazy to pursue our arrogant local bureaucracies. Many many atrophied from donor-fatigue or bad press. Pity.
Of course there is the charge (not without justification) that most of the women who have been the beneficiaries of Affirmative Action rarely truly represent their constituencies! A lot of noise is made in the urban areas, in the elitist media, and within the same circles, to the detriment of the masses - especially the rural women. Most so-called women leaders have no viable or visible followership - they command no gender force, and can deliver no electoral assets or votes! Pity.
Because I am involved (as a gender crusader and consultant), it hurts to see all our past efforts (especially Post-Beijing) go down this way. I was speaking recently with some of the Elders of the Crusade who shared their pains on the subject: it hurts all round. Oh, it hurts.
Way Out? Yes. After the 2007 General Elections!
Any Hints? Yes. Projectisation of the Gender Agenda. Enough of Charlatanism & Tokenism!
The recent party primaries have been disastrous for the gender crusade, and I wonder where this leads after the elections. Very painfully, the leading lights of the Golden Era of the Gender Agenda are aging, retiring, tired or retreating! Their otherwise vibrant successors seem to be berthing in political parties (especially the ruling PDP) for personal political careers or material rehabilitation!! Some simply used the crusade as launch-pads for self and family!!! Sad.
Most of the so-called women NGOs have withered and fizzled out, or have strayed into faddish realms like HIV/AIDS and The Environment in pursuit of cheap donor funding! Others have no clue on how to work in a democracy, or are too lazy to pursue our arrogant local bureaucracies. Many many atrophied from donor-fatigue or bad press. Pity.
Of course there is the charge (not without justification) that most of the women who have been the beneficiaries of Affirmative Action rarely truly represent their constituencies! A lot of noise is made in the urban areas, in the elitist media, and within the same circles, to the detriment of the masses - especially the rural women. Most so-called women leaders have no viable or visible followership - they command no gender force, and can deliver no electoral assets or votes! Pity.
Because I am involved (as a gender crusader and consultant), it hurts to see all our past efforts (especially Post-Beijing) go down this way. I was speaking recently with some of the Elders of the Crusade who shared their pains on the subject: it hurts all round. Oh, it hurts.
Way Out? Yes. After the 2007 General Elections!
Any Hints? Yes. Projectisation of the Gender Agenda. Enough of Charlatanism & Tokenism!
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
2007: Our Date with CHANGE
Change. All change! It is the year both for the United Nations and Nigeria, our dear Nigeria. Oh, how nice to be here...in 2007! So sweetly nice. Thank God.
As the UN must do, Nigeria must consolidate on the past and move with courage and candour into the future. Old values of honour, dignity, truth, integrity, work-ethics and spirituality must endure. New ways and means, including ICT, high skills, diaspora input, local content and cyber safety must be embraced. Due process, the rule of law, true patriotism, healthy competition and true leadership-in-accountability must take hold and flourish. Nigeria must change bad ways, embrace new and beneficial ways.
Then, the big change: 2007 Elections. Ah! Huge surprises. Far-reaching. Deep. It will be a sea change - sweeping, just and sweet. Never mind the temporary setbacks and tentative lull in the land so far, it is all the meek-street before the roaring-highway. Things will soon erupt, explode and excite. It will be pun and fun.
So, let the real deals be made. Soon soon...
Let the real DEBATES begin!
As the UN must do, Nigeria must consolidate on the past and move with courage and candour into the future. Old values of honour, dignity, truth, integrity, work-ethics and spirituality must endure. New ways and means, including ICT, high skills, diaspora input, local content and cyber safety must be embraced. Due process, the rule of law, true patriotism, healthy competition and true leadership-in-accountability must take hold and flourish. Nigeria must change bad ways, embrace new and beneficial ways.
Then, the big change: 2007 Elections. Ah! Huge surprises. Far-reaching. Deep. It will be a sea change - sweeping, just and sweet. Never mind the temporary setbacks and tentative lull in the land so far, it is all the meek-street before the roaring-highway. Things will soon erupt, explode and excite. It will be pun and fun.
So, let the real deals be made. Soon soon...
Let the real DEBATES begin!
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