The Acting President Dr Goodluck Jonathan had promised Nigerians that the 2011 elections will be free and fair, a promise he has repeated on several occasions within and outside the country; the same free and fair elections that the current crop of leaders has denied Nigerians since 2003.
Event though Jonathan cannot deny being a beneficiary of the electoral fraud that brought them to power, he seems to understand the demand by Nigerians for free and fair elections come 2011. That call is being re-stated even by foreign governments and international organizations concerned with issues of democracy and good governance.
Many Nigerians thought that with Acting President Goodluck Jonathan if he continues to be in charge up to during the 2011 elections, we may have better elections than the previous ones, being that his party the PDP has informed the world that the presidential ticket of it’s party for 2011 will still come from the North. The party felt that since the South has ruled for eight years, it would be fair and for equity and justice for the North to manage what is left after 2011 if the party wins the elections.
But recent happenings in the polity may once again lead to the denial of Nigerians free and fair elections come 2011. Jonathan up till now has not informed Nigerians of his intensions regarding his presidential ambition in 2011, aside of making some comments that are neither here nor there. Will he abide by his party, PDP’s rotational arrangement? And if not, how does he want Nigerians to view him? Or, if he decides to contest for presidency in 2011 what guarantee do Nigerians have that he will not rig the elections in his favour? And finally what will he lose by being an unbiased umpire, by not contesting, but concerned only with conducting an election that will be acceptable by most Nigerians and international community?
Instead of Jonathan to concentrate on how to reduce the sufferings of Nigerians through providing qualitative education, good drinking water, stable power supply etc, he is now occupied with schemes to fully takeover and to continue to be at the helm after the 2011 elections. And unfortunately, appears to be using the old tricks of former President Olusegun Obasanjo of blackmail and intimidation to achieve his goal.
There are numerous reasons why I am sceptical of Jonathan continuing to exercise executive powers after 2011. How can he convince Nigerians that the concerns of people and their welfare will be his priority as agencies under his supervision have been left to decay with their workers left for years without salary and he comfortably goes to sleep without providing a solution to cushion their sufferings?. Or why as a leader he will not abide by agreements placed by his party which is in the interest of peaceful co-existence of the country? And how sure are we that after 2011 he will not seek another term in 2015? And of course, why renege on principle of collective responsibility by dismantling all the structures and policies of his principal? Is he running an entirely new government or continuation of President Umaru Musa Yar’adua’s administration, of which Jonathan has been a part at inception in 2007? Does he think that Nigerians are comfortable with his activities in government since he started acting for Yar’adua?
If Acting President Goodluck Jonathan wants Nigerians and the international community to take him serious in his promise of conducting free and fair elections in 2011, he should forgo any ambition to stand for election for either Presidency or Vice President, to enable him to be fully nonpartisan in the 2011 elections. He will have the golden opportunity to write his name in gold by presiding over the best election ever in Nigeria by conducting free and fair polls in 2011.
From now to election time, Jonathan should fix outstanding problems bedevilling the country such as providing stable power supply, fixing our bad roads; provide security for Nigerians in their homes and roads. And try his best in fulfilling the promise of 7-Points Agenda of his principal.
More so, he should act with wisdom by not taking on more debts that unborn Nigerians will have to repay; and discard intensions showing him as sectional and a cohort of local and international interests.
Nigerians are watching, and will not accept any election that smacks of electoral fraud and rigging. Jonathan should not listen to advice of political hyenas and scavengers that will lure him to betray the nation’s best interests.
Shehu Mustapha Chaji
shehuchaji@yahoo.com
Wednesday, 28 April 2010
Wednesday, 21 April 2010
Thursday, 18 March 2010
Ghali Na’abba and 2011
Alhaji Ghali Umar Na’abba the former Speaker of House of Representatives will always be remembered by democrats as someone who refused to be compromised to cause more harm to our democracy by former President Olusegun Obasanjo. His noble acts then made the House of Representatives as darling of Nigerians and even made many Nigerians to refer to him (Na'abba) as the custodian of our democracy in the Fourth Republic.
It is the fear of Na’abba’s principles that led to his been targetted by Obasanjo and Co. to make sure that he was defeated at the poll when he seeks for re-election to the House of Representatives in 2003 election. Na’abba’s attempt to contest for Kano state governor in 2007 election hits the rock when he angrily left Action Congress(AC) complaining of schemes to deny him the party’s ticket, and decamped back to his former party the PDP.
Kano state, like most states in Northern part of Nigeria is suffering from incapable, crass incompetent , political oppurturnism and unreliable representatives in both the State and National Assembly. This has led to calls for the state to have the real men that can represent the people in the National Assembly . Many Kanawa want an end to the era of sending bench-warmers either as Members of the House of Representatives or as Senators to the National Assembly.
Among such notable men that wants the people of their consituency in Kano state to elects them to represents them in the National Assembly is Alhaji Ghali Umar Na’abba who is presently seeking for Senatorship to represent Kano Central under the flag of People Democratic Party(PDP) come 2011 elections.
Been that Kano state is presently controlled by the ANPP led goverment and the Senator representing Kano Central is also from the ANPP, notwithstanding an experinced legislator who has been tested and trusted like Na’abba should be given the oppurtunity by consituents of Kano Central to represent them in the Senate come 2011.
Kano Central have always been producing Senators since 1999 that always failed to provide able representation in the Senate. Always due to party sentiments and money politics , the people have been denied qualitative choice by party leadership of major political parties in the state.
It is an opputurnity for the PDP in Kano state and Kano Central in particular to support Alhaji Ghali Umar Na’abba to emerge as its candidate for the Senate in 2011 elections. The problem of denying electorates capable , competent ,experienced and reliable candidates rests on the shoulders of party excutives who most of the time supports candidates with more money to offer them. This greediness of the party executives have been causing harm to our democracy as no matter how better a candidate is, if he cannot share money to them, they prefer to support the highest bidder as the party candidate. They must change their attitudes for us to get able representatives.
With Senators like Ghali Na’abba if elected the people of Kano Central and the state in general will not be disappointed as he is fully equip with legislative experience right from the Lower House.
Kanawa have to outgrow the era of blindly voting for every Tom, Jack and Harry just because of party sentiment and at the end of the day be disappointed.
Alhaji Ghali Umar Na’abba should be given another chance by his consituency to represent them in the Senate notwithstanding the grievences of many that supported him in 1999 and he failed to some extent in forgetting them to get their own share of “ dividends of democracy”. The intrest of all is more important as if given the chance Na’abba will definately not be a bench warmer.
Shehu Mustapha Chaji
shehuchaji@yahoo.com
It is the fear of Na’abba’s principles that led to his been targetted by Obasanjo and Co. to make sure that he was defeated at the poll when he seeks for re-election to the House of Representatives in 2003 election. Na’abba’s attempt to contest for Kano state governor in 2007 election hits the rock when he angrily left Action Congress(AC) complaining of schemes to deny him the party’s ticket, and decamped back to his former party the PDP.
Kano state, like most states in Northern part of Nigeria is suffering from incapable, crass incompetent , political oppurturnism and unreliable representatives in both the State and National Assembly. This has led to calls for the state to have the real men that can represent the people in the National Assembly . Many Kanawa want an end to the era of sending bench-warmers either as Members of the House of Representatives or as Senators to the National Assembly.
Among such notable men that wants the people of their consituency in Kano state to elects them to represents them in the National Assembly is Alhaji Ghali Umar Na’abba who is presently seeking for Senatorship to represent Kano Central under the flag of People Democratic Party(PDP) come 2011 elections.
Been that Kano state is presently controlled by the ANPP led goverment and the Senator representing Kano Central is also from the ANPP, notwithstanding an experinced legislator who has been tested and trusted like Na’abba should be given the oppurtunity by consituents of Kano Central to represent them in the Senate come 2011.
Kano Central have always been producing Senators since 1999 that always failed to provide able representation in the Senate. Always due to party sentiments and money politics , the people have been denied qualitative choice by party leadership of major political parties in the state.
It is an opputurnity for the PDP in Kano state and Kano Central in particular to support Alhaji Ghali Umar Na’abba to emerge as its candidate for the Senate in 2011 elections. The problem of denying electorates capable , competent ,experienced and reliable candidates rests on the shoulders of party excutives who most of the time supports candidates with more money to offer them. This greediness of the party executives have been causing harm to our democracy as no matter how better a candidate is, if he cannot share money to them, they prefer to support the highest bidder as the party candidate. They must change their attitudes for us to get able representatives.
With Senators like Ghali Na’abba if elected the people of Kano Central and the state in general will not be disappointed as he is fully equip with legislative experience right from the Lower House.
Kanawa have to outgrow the era of blindly voting for every Tom, Jack and Harry just because of party sentiment and at the end of the day be disappointed.
Alhaji Ghali Umar Na’abba should be given another chance by his consituency to represent them in the Senate notwithstanding the grievences of many that supported him in 1999 and he failed to some extent in forgetting them to get their own share of “ dividends of democracy”. The intrest of all is more important as if given the chance Na’abba will definately not be a bench warmer.
Shehu Mustapha Chaji
shehuchaji@yahoo.com
Thursday, 18 February 2010
Jos Genocide: Will the PDP sanction Jang?
If the Governor Jonah Jang led PDP administration in Plateau state have a human face the recent Jos genocide could not had occur as it could have put all the machinery in place to avert the wanton destruction of lives and properties. And, if he had answered the calls of Nigerians during the 2008 Jos crisis by resigning, the state could have been saved from this genocide.
Ethno-religious conflicts are not new in Nigeria , but none have drawn the attention of the whole world like the recent killings now known as the Jos Genocide. With Jang on saddle of power as the Chief Security Officer of Plateau state, he misuses his powers by blindly rigging the Local Government elections of November 2008 for his party the PDP which led to deaths of hundreds of innocent citizens and destruction of properties worth billions of Naira.
Also recently due to his in competency another round of killings erupted which also led to killings of unarmed civilians , women , the old and even babies, not to talk of properties destroyed. Never in the history of Nigeria that a conflict as such was ever regarded as genocide except the recent Jos killings.
With committee of inquiry put in place and Human Rights Organizations fighting for justice on behalf of those innocently killed. The PDP have not yet taken any action against its party member Jonah Jang.
The PDP might claim that Jang remains innocent until he is found guilty by the court of law; all the same it shows that he is not fit, capable and competent to lead a state in a multi-ethnic, cultural and religious country like Nigeria . The essence of leadership in democratic settings is to provide enable environment for betterment of mankind, not to bring upon citizens deaths and destructions.
The Jos crisis of 2008 directly involves the PDP, up till today the party has not distance itself with the so-called victory that led to deaths, destructions and displacement of thousands of citizens. On the recent Jos genocide, the PDP have not look Jang straight in the face and tell him that he is not competent to rule Plateau state and therefore advise him to resign. All are pointing accusing fingers at Jang for not doing what is right by seeing to support a particular ethnic group during the Jos killings.
Knowing the Nigerian factor, Jang may soon start seeking for a second term in office. The manner he handle the last Local government elections in Plateau state cannot guarantee the re-occurrence of another round of killings if he seeks for a second term. The PDP should for the sake of Nigeria ’s unity and humanity in general use whatever means to deny Jang ticket under its platform. I am sure it is not among the manifesto of the PDP, death, destruction and displacement of citizens of any state within the country.
Other political parties in Nigeria should also deny Jonah Jang ticket to contest under their platforms, as insensitive and in competent people should not be allowed to rule as their failure gives Nigeria the image of a brutal primitive society.
Not only Jang , people in his class should not be allow to near any seat of power v, any Chief Security Officer of his state that cannot protect the lives and properties of his subjects should not be given another chance to contest by any of our political parties.
By now in developed and civilized societies if Plateau state government happen to be one it should have since embark on rebuilding houses , shops e.t.c destroyed during the crisis and have gone far in paying compensations to families of those killed. Shamelessly to Jang’s administration it cannot even cushion the sufferings of those in refugee camps.
Jang’s in competency is a threat to Nigeria ’s Unity, Should we allow it to happen again? And the only way to stop it’ re-occurrence is the Federal Government should keep it’s word by bringing to book all those involved in the Jos genocide.
As for the PDP once again, save Nigeria’s unity by not allowing in competent people as in case of Plateau state , any opportunity to contest in future elections so as not to find ourselves in a situation that can completely destroy the country.
Shehu Mustapha Chaji
shehuchaji@yahoo.com
Ethno-religious conflicts are not new in Nigeria , but none have drawn the attention of the whole world like the recent killings now known as the Jos Genocide. With Jang on saddle of power as the Chief Security Officer of Plateau state, he misuses his powers by blindly rigging the Local Government elections of November 2008 for his party the PDP which led to deaths of hundreds of innocent citizens and destruction of properties worth billions of Naira.
Also recently due to his in competency another round of killings erupted which also led to killings of unarmed civilians , women , the old and even babies, not to talk of properties destroyed. Never in the history of Nigeria that a conflict as such was ever regarded as genocide except the recent Jos killings.
With committee of inquiry put in place and Human Rights Organizations fighting for justice on behalf of those innocently killed. The PDP have not yet taken any action against its party member Jonah Jang.
The PDP might claim that Jang remains innocent until he is found guilty by the court of law; all the same it shows that he is not fit, capable and competent to lead a state in a multi-ethnic, cultural and religious country like Nigeria . The essence of leadership in democratic settings is to provide enable environment for betterment of mankind, not to bring upon citizens deaths and destructions.
The Jos crisis of 2008 directly involves the PDP, up till today the party has not distance itself with the so-called victory that led to deaths, destructions and displacement of thousands of citizens. On the recent Jos genocide, the PDP have not look Jang straight in the face and tell him that he is not competent to rule Plateau state and therefore advise him to resign. All are pointing accusing fingers at Jang for not doing what is right by seeing to support a particular ethnic group during the Jos killings.
Knowing the Nigerian factor, Jang may soon start seeking for a second term in office. The manner he handle the last Local government elections in Plateau state cannot guarantee the re-occurrence of another round of killings if he seeks for a second term. The PDP should for the sake of Nigeria ’s unity and humanity in general use whatever means to deny Jang ticket under its platform. I am sure it is not among the manifesto of the PDP, death, destruction and displacement of citizens of any state within the country.
Other political parties in Nigeria should also deny Jonah Jang ticket to contest under their platforms, as insensitive and in competent people should not be allowed to rule as their failure gives Nigeria the image of a brutal primitive society.
Not only Jang , people in his class should not be allow to near any seat of power v, any Chief Security Officer of his state that cannot protect the lives and properties of his subjects should not be given another chance to contest by any of our political parties.
By now in developed and civilized societies if Plateau state government happen to be one it should have since embark on rebuilding houses , shops e.t.c destroyed during the crisis and have gone far in paying compensations to families of those killed. Shamelessly to Jang’s administration it cannot even cushion the sufferings of those in refugee camps.
Jang’s in competency is a threat to Nigeria ’s Unity, Should we allow it to happen again? And the only way to stop it’ re-occurrence is the Federal Government should keep it’s word by bringing to book all those involved in the Jos genocide.
As for the PDP once again, save Nigeria’s unity by not allowing in competent people as in case of Plateau state , any opportunity to contest in future elections so as not to find ourselves in a situation that can completely destroy the country.
Shehu Mustapha Chaji
shehuchaji@yahoo.com
Sunday, 27 December 2009
Kano: Repositioning Our Political Representatives
In all democracies allover the world, the business of legislating is a very important ingredient in the running of such types of government. They represent the yearnings and inspirations of those they represents, and in the case of Nigeria as elsewhere , every individual legislator represents the voice and speaks on behalf of his/her constituency and articulate their positions on national and state issues, and vote on their behalf when the need arise.
Kano states, like other states in the country have legislators in both the Senate and House of Representatives. Views of Nigerians may differ on how they feel their legislators are representing them. Some may be satisfied, while others will even argue that their legislators for non performing to their expectations.
With the highest numbers of Members in the House of Representatives in the country, and three Senators like other states, Kano, had more than enough to represent them in the National Assembly. But the questions lingering are these representatives of the people of Kano state really equipped and articulated to stand and speak their minds in the National Assembly?
In the National Assembly, currently how many among them (Members of the House of Representatives) from Kano state, are outspoken? With the exception of Hon. Faruk Lawan and to some extent Hon. Kawu Sumaila, it will seem that other Members in the House are either bench warmers , if they even happen to be attending the House sittings , or are merely local champions who can only speak in local radio stations when they happen to be in Kano. Informing whoever cares to listen or know how many sewing machines, motorcycles, bags of rice, cloths e.t.c they are able to share to their lieutenants who form their campaign teams.
Also in the Senate, before Senator Bello Hayatu Gwarzo, replaced Alhaji Aminu Sule Garo, only the voice of Senator Kabiru Gaya is heard among the Kano Senators in the Senate. Others are either intimidated or incompetent to represent the people of their constituency. They are more active not on the numbers of bills and motions they sponsored, but on charitable activities they keep informing the people through the local radios, such charities bread laziness to the youth and later turn to bootlicking and beggarage.
What always baffle me is that whenever there is any very important issue of national importance, we are told to channel our views, opinions or grievances through our legislators. As most Nigerians do how can Kano state populace be heard through bench warmers. Where, when and how can we contact our legislators to pass our inputs to draw the attention of the National or State Assemblies?
Being in Kano Central, with Senator Muhammad Bello as my Senator, from Tarauni Local Government where Hon. Mohammed Abubakar Mai-Fata is our Representative in the National Assembly , Hon. Kabiru Muhammad as my representative in the State House of Assembly , and I am not the type seeking political patronage, when , where and how can we locate them? Where are their offices located? Their telephone numbers? Their e-mail address? Or their websites? Our communication with these so called representatives of ours is broken totally.
I am using them as a case study for many may have similar problems like me. Those with access to these representatives are some selected few and those seeking for some personal favours. How will other electorates know about their activities on their behalf and where do we get feedback from them?
In our present time with many channels of dissemination of information, it will be advisable for our legislators to have many channels of informing those they represents their activities in either National or State Assembly. At least they should have a website posted with up to date their functions in either State or National Assembly. They should also have mobile phone numbers that their constituents can at least text them to express their views on what they feel about some bills and motions debated.
Our legislators are the ones creating more problems for themselves as some of them had changed their functions or duties to charitable works (which I am not against) at the expense of functions in the chambers which is making laws. They should always keep their constituents informed on the bills and motions to be debated and seek their inputs especially on very sensitive national issues.
Kano legislators should brace up to face the challenges of legislating in the 21st century by drawing a line between charitable works and their functions of making laws. Charitable works should not over shadow what they are sent by their constituency to represent them. Though we know about constituency projects which many of them pretends as if they are using their hard earned money to execute.
The people of Kano state need qualitative legislators in the next dispensation come 2011. They need those legislators that can stand not only within the chambers to articulate and present the needs and wants of their constituents, but if the need arise anywhere within the country.
Money politics, god fatherism and party sentiment should not be a yardstick in electing our next legislators in both the State and National Assembly, as these are among the factors that hinder the constituencies from having capable hands that can fully represent them.
For some of us in Kano Central, our present Senator, Muhammad Bello should in 2011 seek for other suitable things he can do for himself or the state and the country in general as he is not giving us the required befitting image in the Senate. As for our constituency in the National Assembly, Abubakar Mai-Fata as a Member representing Tarauni in the National Assembly should also step aside in 2011 elections to allow capable hands to occupy Tarauni seat. He has tried in providing schemes to teach some few youths how to learn some trades, but how many bills and motions did he moved before the lower chamber on behalf of Tarauni constituency ?
Kano needs the types of Hon. Faruk Lawan in the lower chamber and Senators like Kabiru Gaya in the upper chamber. The era of legislators that cannot even post a mail, feel intimidated by their other colleague or even too incompetent to argue their case, such caliber of Members need somebody to stand for them talk less of their constituency. This scenario should come to an end in 2011. Kano needs legislators that will be reliable, competent and compatible with the 21st century new order.
Shehu Mustapha Chaji
shehuchaji@yahoo.com
Kano states, like other states in the country have legislators in both the Senate and House of Representatives. Views of Nigerians may differ on how they feel their legislators are representing them. Some may be satisfied, while others will even argue that their legislators for non performing to their expectations.
With the highest numbers of Members in the House of Representatives in the country, and three Senators like other states, Kano, had more than enough to represent them in the National Assembly. But the questions lingering are these representatives of the people of Kano state really equipped and articulated to stand and speak their minds in the National Assembly?
In the National Assembly, currently how many among them (Members of the House of Representatives) from Kano state, are outspoken? With the exception of Hon. Faruk Lawan and to some extent Hon. Kawu Sumaila, it will seem that other Members in the House are either bench warmers , if they even happen to be attending the House sittings , or are merely local champions who can only speak in local radio stations when they happen to be in Kano. Informing whoever cares to listen or know how many sewing machines, motorcycles, bags of rice, cloths e.t.c they are able to share to their lieutenants who form their campaign teams.
Also in the Senate, before Senator Bello Hayatu Gwarzo, replaced Alhaji Aminu Sule Garo, only the voice of Senator Kabiru Gaya is heard among the Kano Senators in the Senate. Others are either intimidated or incompetent to represent the people of their constituency. They are more active not on the numbers of bills and motions they sponsored, but on charitable activities they keep informing the people through the local radios, such charities bread laziness to the youth and later turn to bootlicking and beggarage.
What always baffle me is that whenever there is any very important issue of national importance, we are told to channel our views, opinions or grievances through our legislators. As most Nigerians do how can Kano state populace be heard through bench warmers. Where, when and how can we contact our legislators to pass our inputs to draw the attention of the National or State Assemblies?
Being in Kano Central, with Senator Muhammad Bello as my Senator, from Tarauni Local Government where Hon. Mohammed Abubakar Mai-Fata is our Representative in the National Assembly , Hon. Kabiru Muhammad as my representative in the State House of Assembly , and I am not the type seeking political patronage, when , where and how can we locate them? Where are their offices located? Their telephone numbers? Their e-mail address? Or their websites? Our communication with these so called representatives of ours is broken totally.
I am using them as a case study for many may have similar problems like me. Those with access to these representatives are some selected few and those seeking for some personal favours. How will other electorates know about their activities on their behalf and where do we get feedback from them?
In our present time with many channels of dissemination of information, it will be advisable for our legislators to have many channels of informing those they represents their activities in either National or State Assembly. At least they should have a website posted with up to date their functions in either State or National Assembly. They should also have mobile phone numbers that their constituents can at least text them to express their views on what they feel about some bills and motions debated.
Our legislators are the ones creating more problems for themselves as some of them had changed their functions or duties to charitable works (which I am not against) at the expense of functions in the chambers which is making laws. They should always keep their constituents informed on the bills and motions to be debated and seek their inputs especially on very sensitive national issues.
Kano legislators should brace up to face the challenges of legislating in the 21st century by drawing a line between charitable works and their functions of making laws. Charitable works should not over shadow what they are sent by their constituency to represent them. Though we know about constituency projects which many of them pretends as if they are using their hard earned money to execute.
The people of Kano state need qualitative legislators in the next dispensation come 2011. They need those legislators that can stand not only within the chambers to articulate and present the needs and wants of their constituents, but if the need arise anywhere within the country.
Money politics, god fatherism and party sentiment should not be a yardstick in electing our next legislators in both the State and National Assembly, as these are among the factors that hinder the constituencies from having capable hands that can fully represent them.
For some of us in Kano Central, our present Senator, Muhammad Bello should in 2011 seek for other suitable things he can do for himself or the state and the country in general as he is not giving us the required befitting image in the Senate. As for our constituency in the National Assembly, Abubakar Mai-Fata as a Member representing Tarauni in the National Assembly should also step aside in 2011 elections to allow capable hands to occupy Tarauni seat. He has tried in providing schemes to teach some few youths how to learn some trades, but how many bills and motions did he moved before the lower chamber on behalf of Tarauni constituency ?
Kano needs the types of Hon. Faruk Lawan in the lower chamber and Senators like Kabiru Gaya in the upper chamber. The era of legislators that cannot even post a mail, feel intimidated by their other colleague or even too incompetent to argue their case, such caliber of Members need somebody to stand for them talk less of their constituency. This scenario should come to an end in 2011. Kano needs legislators that will be reliable, competent and compatible with the 21st century new order.
Shehu Mustapha Chaji
shehuchaji@yahoo.com
Monday, 14 December 2009
Of two promises in December
Written by Shehu Mustapha Chaji
Every listener of British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Hausa service is aware and looking forward to the fulfilment of promises made by a serving and a former Minister. They promised Nigerians unconditionally under no duress on different platforms and reasons. In one interview that Ambassador Ibrahim Kazaure, the Minister for Special Duties, granted the radio station, he promised Nigerians that they will unfailingly enjoy 6,000 megawatts of power in the month of December (2009). Also, in the same radio station, Mallam Nasir el-Rufa’i, the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, promised to be in Nigeria before Christmas day (2009).
What made these promises unique is that none of them (Kazaure and el-Rufa’i) was forced to make the promises to Nigerians. And since then, Nigerians have been looking forward to the month of December to see if the promises would be fulfilled. Will both of them fulfil their promises or will both of them make excuses for their inability to fulfil their promises? And lastly, will one of them fulfil his promise and the other unable to do so?
Leaders and men of repute all over the world are mindful of the responsibilities they shoulder and these always make them to be mindful of their words and actions. In some societies, when men of nobility realise that they cannot fulfil the promises they made, they either resign or apologise for their inability to do so. And this has made such societies to value, respect and honour their leaders as very serious people.
On the other hand, when citizens of a country come to realise that their leaders always make promises that they cannot fulfil, it affects their relationship in whatever the leadership plans to do in the future. The personality of whoever fails to fulfil a promise that he voluntarily makes is at stake; nobody will ever take him/her serious again.
Due to the importance of electricity in the modern world and availability of it constantly as the gateway to industrial development, Nigerians were very happy with Ambassador Ibrahim Kazaure’s promise of 6000 megawatts in the month of December. I personally have been monitoring the hours we get electricity daily in the part I live in Kano. It has been improving and getting worse at the same time. Sometimes, we enjoy electricity for about two to six hours daily and almost complete blackout for a day or more. It has really improved unlike in the past when we’d spend about a week without electricity.
Ibrahim Kazaure had even promised to take Hajiya Jamilah Tangaza, the Head of BBC Hausa service to any state and village of her choice on 31st December, 2009 to see for herself and bear witness on how by then Nigerians would be enjoying electricity. Nigerians will be looking forward to hear her part of the story (Tangaza) after 31st December, 2009.
On the part of Nasir el-Rufa’i, the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, who is on the wanted list of the EFCC for corrupt practices who’s also presently a critic of President Umaru Yar’adua’s government, has vowed to return to Nigeria from self exile before Christmas day. He vowed to return even if he would lose his life. el-Rufa’i is fighting the battle of his life as his integrity, personality and name are at stake.
To some Nigerians, el-Rufa’i is a hero who fearlessly and religiously implemented the Abuja Master Plan. In their opinion, he brought sanity and beauty to the Federal Capital Territory while some Nigerians also view him as a sadist, the chief executor of any anti-human, masses and people policies of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration. The name Nasir el-Rufa’i means terror to those whose homes and source of livelihood he had destroyed and to the families of those that lost their lives due to the after shock of his actions.
Many Nigerians will like el-Rufa’i to be back to clear his name on several allegations of corruption, self-enrichment and abuse of power, if he is innocent. If he is innocent, he will earn more respect from Nigerians. They will continue to count the days before Christmas, expecting el-Rufa’i’s return to the country.
Kazaure and el-Rufai’s promises to Nigerians in December are all very important -- 6,000 megawatts of electricity will definitely add value to Nigerians’ way of life and economy. The billions of naira that el-Rufa’i is being asked to account for when he returns in December will most likely return to the treasury. And if they’re lies, Nigerians will know that he has no monies of theirs with him.
May Almighty Allah strengthen them in fulfilling their promises to Nigerians in the month of December.
Chaji can be reached through shehuchaji@yahoo.com
http://www.weekly.dailytrust.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1985&catid=1&Itemid=109
Every listener of British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Hausa service is aware and looking forward to the fulfilment of promises made by a serving and a former Minister. They promised Nigerians unconditionally under no duress on different platforms and reasons. In one interview that Ambassador Ibrahim Kazaure, the Minister for Special Duties, granted the radio station, he promised Nigerians that they will unfailingly enjoy 6,000 megawatts of power in the month of December (2009). Also, in the same radio station, Mallam Nasir el-Rufa’i, the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, promised to be in Nigeria before Christmas day (2009).
What made these promises unique is that none of them (Kazaure and el-Rufa’i) was forced to make the promises to Nigerians. And since then, Nigerians have been looking forward to the month of December to see if the promises would be fulfilled. Will both of them fulfil their promises or will both of them make excuses for their inability to fulfil their promises? And lastly, will one of them fulfil his promise and the other unable to do so?
Leaders and men of repute all over the world are mindful of the responsibilities they shoulder and these always make them to be mindful of their words and actions. In some societies, when men of nobility realise that they cannot fulfil the promises they made, they either resign or apologise for their inability to do so. And this has made such societies to value, respect and honour their leaders as very serious people.
On the other hand, when citizens of a country come to realise that their leaders always make promises that they cannot fulfil, it affects their relationship in whatever the leadership plans to do in the future. The personality of whoever fails to fulfil a promise that he voluntarily makes is at stake; nobody will ever take him/her serious again.
Due to the importance of electricity in the modern world and availability of it constantly as the gateway to industrial development, Nigerians were very happy with Ambassador Ibrahim Kazaure’s promise of 6000 megawatts in the month of December. I personally have been monitoring the hours we get electricity daily in the part I live in Kano. It has been improving and getting worse at the same time. Sometimes, we enjoy electricity for about two to six hours daily and almost complete blackout for a day or more. It has really improved unlike in the past when we’d spend about a week without electricity.
Ibrahim Kazaure had even promised to take Hajiya Jamilah Tangaza, the Head of BBC Hausa service to any state and village of her choice on 31st December, 2009 to see for herself and bear witness on how by then Nigerians would be enjoying electricity. Nigerians will be looking forward to hear her part of the story (Tangaza) after 31st December, 2009.
On the part of Nasir el-Rufa’i, the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, who is on the wanted list of the EFCC for corrupt practices who’s also presently a critic of President Umaru Yar’adua’s government, has vowed to return to Nigeria from self exile before Christmas day. He vowed to return even if he would lose his life. el-Rufa’i is fighting the battle of his life as his integrity, personality and name are at stake.
To some Nigerians, el-Rufa’i is a hero who fearlessly and religiously implemented the Abuja Master Plan. In their opinion, he brought sanity and beauty to the Federal Capital Territory while some Nigerians also view him as a sadist, the chief executor of any anti-human, masses and people policies of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration. The name Nasir el-Rufa’i means terror to those whose homes and source of livelihood he had destroyed and to the families of those that lost their lives due to the after shock of his actions.
Many Nigerians will like el-Rufa’i to be back to clear his name on several allegations of corruption, self-enrichment and abuse of power, if he is innocent. If he is innocent, he will earn more respect from Nigerians. They will continue to count the days before Christmas, expecting el-Rufa’i’s return to the country.
Kazaure and el-Rufai’s promises to Nigerians in December are all very important -- 6,000 megawatts of electricity will definitely add value to Nigerians’ way of life and economy. The billions of naira that el-Rufa’i is being asked to account for when he returns in December will most likely return to the treasury. And if they’re lies, Nigerians will know that he has no monies of theirs with him.
May Almighty Allah strengthen them in fulfilling their promises to Nigerians in the month of December.
Chaji can be reached through shehuchaji@yahoo.com
http://www.weekly.dailytrust.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1985&catid=1&Itemid=109
Monday, 30 November 2009
SAP, NEEDS and Nigeria's Industrial Development
Before discussing the crux of the subject matter it would be appropriate to explain the background of the two major concept of discussion which is SAP and NEEDS.
STURUTURAL ADJUSTMENT PROGRAMME (SAP)
Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) was introduced following the collapse of oil market in the early 80’s which saw Nigeria’s per capital income plummet from about $1,000 to $300 and the drastic fall in the level of foreign exchange earnings and government revenues. Nigeria introduces SAP and embarks in it implementing in 1986.
The emphasis of the SAP was on deregulation, market liberalization, demand management through appropriate prizing, floating of the exchange rate and the promotion of agriculture and other rural based export oriented economic activities. It was also expected to promote the growth of resource based industrialization in place of the prevailing import substitution strategy which had become unsustainable due to foreign exchange scarcity and the consequent inability to import needed raw materials, spare part, skilled labour e.t.c to support industrial production.
Inability to stay the course of reforms, low levels of investment large fiscal imbalances, among other reasons, prolonged the life of the programme which was originally designed to last for two years to eight years until there was a regime change. Despite the regime change, the features of that programme have remained with significant elements of it reflected in vision 2010.
National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS)
The objective NEEDS is to enable Nigeria achieve a turn around and grow a broad based market oriented economy that is private sector led in which people can be empowered so that they can, as a minimum, afford the basic needs of life. It is a pro-poor development strategy with sources of economic empowerment being gainful employment and provision of social safety net for vulnerable groups.
Most of the targets in the NEEDS documents are set in quantitative terms. Their achievement must also be tracked in quantitative terms. The essential pro-poor growth indices are largely what are classified as socio economic data; they include access to employment, income and consumption per capital, access to basic education, health care. (Mortality rate, HIV/AIDS prevalence, general health status, life expectancy etc) water and accommodation and indeed the structure of the distribution of income between one period and another in other to capture the changes arising from the implementation of reforms.
According to some analyst structural Adjustment programme (SAP) has been rechristened to national economic employment development strategy (NEEDS). To them if the implementation of SAP was include a “sin” then it must be a nurturing one because the economic reformation is still being undertaking by the current PDP-led democratic government, they are also of the opinion that Nigerians should pray and hope that the same unrepentant agents that sabotaged “SAP” do not do the same to NEEDS.
Structural adjustment program (SAP) was introduce to place Nigeria on the path of industrial development in the 80’s so many economic ill, where visible and problems in deference forms i.e. retested growth manifesting in persistent balance of payments deficits, raging inflationary trends, conspicuous taste for foreign service goods, foreign debts and seemingly over-valued naira. SAP goals were to be balanced growth, stable prices, favorable balance of payment and full employment, but unfortunately for Nigeria from the time of SAP it because a nation of consumer of second – hand goods and products. The average Nigeria could no longer afford any new thing except those Nigerians who have profited from government contracts and favors.
With the failure of SAP to make any positive impact in Nigeria ’s industrial development, the Olusegun Obasanjo administration, backed by arrays of World Bank experts ingeniously bull-dozed another economic package on the nation elegantly presented as “the National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS). The package which would take care of short term and long term needs, according to the carefully selected and brilliantly tutored protagonist, would represent many good tidings of “life more abundant” for all Nigerian.
The emphasis of NEEDS is on the provision of good roads, better schools, responsive health care system, water for drinking and agricultural purpose, safer streets and of course, food on table. There is no doubt that the concepts of NEEDS are lovely by any standard, even if they were not new or original. However, unfortunately, the dream of NEEDS evaporated with the departure of the architect and his eminent World Bank experts.
Between SAP and NEEDS they have not change the lives of Nigerians. Indices released by various local and international organization shows that Nigeria is not achieving the desired industrial development. Nigeria cannot generate enough mega watts of power for its industrial development and has led to closure of many industries in the country. Corruption in both public and private sector has been a major set back for Nigeria to achieve any gain in industrial development.
Agricultural sector is not growing at any appropriate rate with less than 50% of the country’s cultivable land uncultivated.
90% of the land under cultivation in being tended by small farmers using largely antiquated production techniques. Nigeria contrary to goals of SAP and NEEDS spends $2.8 billion dollars to import food for local consumption. 90 million of the country’s, 140 million people face food insecurity and cannot afford three square meals a day, with over 70% of les citizens living below poverty line.
SAP and NEEDS are implemented for the purpose of chasing the lives of Nigerians. On the other hand SAP and NEEDS tend to increase poverty and hardship on Nigerians.
STURUTURAL ADJUSTMENT PROGRAMME (SAP)
Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) was introduced following the collapse of oil market in the early 80’s which saw Nigeria’s per capital income plummet from about $1,000 to $300 and the drastic fall in the level of foreign exchange earnings and government revenues. Nigeria introduces SAP and embarks in it implementing in 1986.
The emphasis of the SAP was on deregulation, market liberalization, demand management through appropriate prizing, floating of the exchange rate and the promotion of agriculture and other rural based export oriented economic activities. It was also expected to promote the growth of resource based industrialization in place of the prevailing import substitution strategy which had become unsustainable due to foreign exchange scarcity and the consequent inability to import needed raw materials, spare part, skilled labour e.t.c to support industrial production.
Inability to stay the course of reforms, low levels of investment large fiscal imbalances, among other reasons, prolonged the life of the programme which was originally designed to last for two years to eight years until there was a regime change. Despite the regime change, the features of that programme have remained with significant elements of it reflected in vision 2010.
National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS)
The objective NEEDS is to enable Nigeria achieve a turn around and grow a broad based market oriented economy that is private sector led in which people can be empowered so that they can, as a minimum, afford the basic needs of life. It is a pro-poor development strategy with sources of economic empowerment being gainful employment and provision of social safety net for vulnerable groups.
Most of the targets in the NEEDS documents are set in quantitative terms. Their achievement must also be tracked in quantitative terms. The essential pro-poor growth indices are largely what are classified as socio economic data; they include access to employment, income and consumption per capital, access to basic education, health care. (Mortality rate, HIV/AIDS prevalence, general health status, life expectancy etc) water and accommodation and indeed the structure of the distribution of income between one period and another in other to capture the changes arising from the implementation of reforms.
According to some analyst structural Adjustment programme (SAP) has been rechristened to national economic employment development strategy (NEEDS). To them if the implementation of SAP was include a “sin” then it must be a nurturing one because the economic reformation is still being undertaking by the current PDP-led democratic government, they are also of the opinion that Nigerians should pray and hope that the same unrepentant agents that sabotaged “SAP” do not do the same to NEEDS.
Structural adjustment program (SAP) was introduce to place Nigeria on the path of industrial development in the 80’s so many economic ill, where visible and problems in deference forms i.e. retested growth manifesting in persistent balance of payments deficits, raging inflationary trends, conspicuous taste for foreign service goods, foreign debts and seemingly over-valued naira. SAP goals were to be balanced growth, stable prices, favorable balance of payment and full employment, but unfortunately for Nigeria from the time of SAP it because a nation of consumer of second – hand goods and products. The average Nigeria could no longer afford any new thing except those Nigerians who have profited from government contracts and favors.
With the failure of SAP to make any positive impact in Nigeria ’s industrial development, the Olusegun Obasanjo administration, backed by arrays of World Bank experts ingeniously bull-dozed another economic package on the nation elegantly presented as “the National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS). The package which would take care of short term and long term needs, according to the carefully selected and brilliantly tutored protagonist, would represent many good tidings of “life more abundant” for all Nigerian.
The emphasis of NEEDS is on the provision of good roads, better schools, responsive health care system, water for drinking and agricultural purpose, safer streets and of course, food on table. There is no doubt that the concepts of NEEDS are lovely by any standard, even if they were not new or original. However, unfortunately, the dream of NEEDS evaporated with the departure of the architect and his eminent World Bank experts.
Between SAP and NEEDS they have not change the lives of Nigerians. Indices released by various local and international organization shows that Nigeria is not achieving the desired industrial development. Nigeria cannot generate enough mega watts of power for its industrial development and has led to closure of many industries in the country. Corruption in both public and private sector has been a major set back for Nigeria to achieve any gain in industrial development.
Agricultural sector is not growing at any appropriate rate with less than 50% of the country’s cultivable land uncultivated.
90% of the land under cultivation in being tended by small farmers using largely antiquated production techniques. Nigeria contrary to goals of SAP and NEEDS spends $2.8 billion dollars to import food for local consumption. 90 million of the country’s, 140 million people face food insecurity and cannot afford three square meals a day, with over 70% of les citizens living below poverty line.
SAP and NEEDS are implemented for the purpose of chasing the lives of Nigerians. On the other hand SAP and NEEDS tend to increase poverty and hardship on Nigerians.
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