In libertatem dependens - THE DEPENDENT INDEPENDENCE

In the past two or so weeks, I have heard people debate severally on the topic ‘’Nigeria’s pre-independent era progressive than her post-independence era’’ – courtesy of Press Club Federal College of Agriculture and Animal Sciences, Apata, Ibadan. Lots of arguments were raised to support and oppose the motion. The Deputy Provost, Federal College of Animal Health Sciences when giving her contributions submitted that ‘’it is better to be free and suffer than enjoy as a slave’’. 

At first, I sighed in non-acceptance, but could only journey into deep thought to ruminate and to harness the various interrelated parts of my brain that form its system and arrive at a conclusion that she may be right a point. At least I was not born then but as a student of government and politics, I can attest to this by the knowledge gathered from scholars and history on its’ own has illuminated the Nigeria antecedents to independence the more.

From the next pieces of information gathered from teachers, expert from the field of Government and Politics, it has theoretically been observed that Nigeria as a British colony remains a Neo-Colonized country, Moreover, Walter Rodney in his thesis (How Europe Underdeveloped Africa).

On leadership, we thought we got it right at Independence, but that could only take us half a decade when the first Military incursion was experienced by the ‘’Baby Nigeria’’ who was still in the (Nursery as that time’’ led by Major General Nzeogwu which enthroned the first Military president in the country under the headship of Major. General J.T.F Aguiyi Ironsi.

All of these outplayed after the fall of the civilian government which was demolished and wrecked (the crumbles saw in the present polity) by personal interests and the clash of ideology.

The democratic prophets spoke of the importance of democracy as the dominant trait of measuring good governance. Among these are, Francis Fukuyama, Larry Diamond, etc.

To submit on this note rightly, the British government came to do two things in Nigeria.

Firstly, to introduce to us their religion and also to majorly exploit our mineral resources at our detriment and in-turn imperialized Nigeria and Africa as a whole as rightly put by V.I Lenin - ‘’imperialism is the highest form of colonialism’’. 

Dependency Theory of Development has argued that the reason why the underdeveloped countries remain poor and would remain is due to their level of dependence on the so-called developed or the Western States who of course gives little or no choice.  Dependency theory advocates submitted that the state of Africa and the undeveloped and developing nations of the World is majorly the handiwork of the Western world who exploited their minerals and leaving them to little or nothing to build their countries. However, I ask, has Nigeria failed to harness its natural resources even after the ‘’demise’’ of the Colonial Masters? Matters to discuss.

The International Organizations play vital roles in the development of the world to make it a better place and to create a Global Market where countries could relate, trade without restrictions, yet these countries in the name of technological advancement make deadly weapons that can bring the world into extinction.

The Country Nigeria we celebrate today and pray for has once witnessed its heroic days in the past when some legends rose up to fight for her freedom from the Whites whom the Yorubas call ‘’Oyinbo-Amunisin’’ – meaning the Enslaving Whites. 

This same Nigeria at the call and the declaration of its independence painted to the young children at that time a brighter future, and the generations to come. That same independence gave the old ones hope that truly the Nigeria of our own is here and can now make the decisions of our own. We can now be the drivers of our development –

I submit here that they may have unknowing believed this on the notion of ‘’Rational Actor Theory of Public Policy.

Also, probably forgetting the Group Theory of Public Policy which gives room for the influence of Party Ideology and the previous theory not giving regard for the human behavior while taking a leadership role.

Nigerians entrusted her resources in the hands of those who are no different from a prodigal son who demanded the wealth and inheritance he’s legally entitled to.

These people who are carriers of corruption stole the country’s wealth and still deemed it fit to keep it in these countries that are seen to have relatively or closer to have undeveloped us.

However, despite the political, social, socio-economic challenges, the coming years is full of hope and with great anticipation for a better Nigeria.

Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria

May God Bless Nigeria @58

A NATION OR JUST A LOCATION OF DWELLERS

One of the most significant and critical duties of a responsible government is the provision of adequate security of its citizens. "The purpose of governance, its raison d'etre, is first and foremost security of the lives and property of citizens" -Tunde Ayeni. The story in Nigeria takes different turn as security functions becomes the duties of families, homes and individuals themselves.
"Where does a progressive government begin?  What practical actions must it take to procure for the people the goods of security, freedom, equal opportunity and happiness? If security is a first item in the contract between the governed and the government, how does the latter deliver on its side of the deal? - (Lessons in Leadership and Legacy) - Obafemi Awolowo.

Regarding the theory postulated by John Locke in the early 20th century, Social Contract Theory which provides that a state came into existence by the agreement of the society to go as one, giving no regard to their indifference but instead embrace the spirit of unity. This theory provides that the approval of the people by having a leader is to adequately provide some functions, which security takes a significant part of it. Was Nigeria founded on a social contract agreement? Was it by their consent they were merged? The truth that has been observed is that while we have it in our power to make progress in the matter of the security of lives and properties of the citizens, we chose to retrogress. The preamble of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria tend to give us the idea of a oneness-confession, but it has failed to become practicable. Unity works when the parties involved agree. Can two work together except they agree?
Several questions have been raised by Nigerians on the 1914 Amalgamation (Marriage of strange partners). Many scholars in are of the position that the British left us with a crippled form of governance giving us the belief that we can be quickly melted to become a real nation-state. A look at the 1966 civil war would provide a clear picture of this. The Igbo felt marginalized, the Hausas were given the notion of ruling Nigeria till the end of time, and the Yorubas(despite being the most educated) is perceived to follow whoever takes the mantle. In a way we fail to realize and accept our diversities rather we long on the hope of a unitary nature which tells us we can be melted too, no wonder Sage Obafemi Awolowo never rested in clamoring for a genuine federal system till he rested.

The gruesome killings by the Fulani herdsmen have become a significant huddle needed to be crossed by the present administration, at least every administration faced its own, for instance, Niger Delta militants and the uprising of Boko Haram faced by the immediate past government of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. Though, to some northerners, these cattle herders are not killers they are only seen as defending themselves against thieves. The question you first ask is, where does a cattle-herder get an AK 47 riffle, as admitted by the president, Muhammadu Buhari during his visit to Jos, Plateau state, to meet with stakeholders alongside the Governor of the State, Simon Lalong? In times past, cattle-herders are known to be carrying about the rod (sanda) to direct their flocks, not ammunition.
The very recent killing of over 200 civilians by these same herdsmen is becoming one of their significant attacks since their act of terror surfaced in Nigeria about two years ago. They move from house to house to slaughter people like goats. Interestingly, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) came out to declare it to be in retaliation for the loss of their 300 and killing of 200 cows. You ask again when did a life of a cow substitute for the precious life a human being?
I would say one of the significant problems this country has suffered has been a faulty system of governance at the verge of collapsing. There is an urgent need for a drastic federal restructuring needs to be done, even though this cry is not strange in the ears of our political class, that is we need first to realize and accept our differences.
Regionalism as a form of government needs to be adopted by a more critical consideration; central governance abolished. It is not working. And at least we now have a taste of two capital matrimonial homes. The declaration of 1966 Unification Decree, 34 by the then military president, General J.T.F Aguiyi Ironsi (which of course not the first attempt to unify the nation Nigeria) led to an unforgettable crisis in the country, such that cannot be quickly erased in the hearts and memories of the living witness.

Conclusively, ethnic rivalry becomes a permanent mountain in Nigeria if our political elite and actors fail to see to the structure of this country not just on paper but being pragmatic enough to make it a reality. An end should be put favoritism and nepotism which stood as the first accusations laid on the Buhari administration in his early days in office.
 However, President Buhari recently became aggrieved by the accusations of some Nigerians who had blamed him for the killings in Plateau state, when they claimed these herdsmen are his people and that nothing would be done to stop their killings. (Just as reported earlier in one of the Nigerian Dailies).
I chuckle as I ask, is Nigeria indeed a nation or just a location where people reside?


Odidere18

THE UNWANTED VISITOR

Corruption has become a cankerworm that longed ridden and eaten our nation. It has become a grasshopper eating the grains in our country. The grains that have been harvested even the ones that have not been harvested. It has become a part of life that virtually every believes that corruption has become a part of an average human being. In line with the assertion of Chinua Achebe that "an average Nigerian is corrupt- separating a Nigerian from being corrupt is like stopping a goat from eating yam". In the recent Global Corruption Barometer, 78% of Nigerian some of the larger population in the world agreed, corruption is a significant problem in Nigeria. While it is true that corruption is a global phenomenon, it is more endemic and pervading in Nigeria's political landscape. (Adesiyan, 2014).
ITS NOTABLE ADVENT
Corruption in our polity stepped into the limelight in Nigeria after the Oil boom in 1970 (Though has been discovered in some part of the country like Oloibiri known now as Ogba Local Area of Bayelsa State in 1956 (Ikedi Ohakim, 2009). The Oil sector has been the major abhor of corruption in our political sector. It has been observed that some $400billion of Nigeria's oil revenue has been stolen or misspent since its independence - (Dr. Oby Ezekwuezili, 2014). Perhaps the biggest brigandage in the oil sector in recent time was the oil subsidy scam of 2011. According to the report of the Adhoc Committee of the House Representatives that investigated the fraud in 2011 which clearly stated that contrary to the earlier official figure of subsidy payment of N1.3trillion, the Accounting General of the Federation put forward a figure of N1.6trillion, The Central Bank of Nigeria CBN, N1.7trillion while the Committee established subsidy payment of N2.587.087trillion as at 31st December, 2011, amounting to more than 900% over the appropriated sum of #245billion. (News-Watch, 2012). This among many shows how much the Oil sector stands as a blessing-curse for the country.
It became a norm in a once morally upright society. A society where normalcy was so known to the extent that farmers and traders could leave the produce for sale at the market and buyers would get their product leaving the money at the stall. It became a folktale for children at moonlight. It became an ode sang by the hunters not limiting ballad to the traditional dancers. Religious institutions are seen not to be left out. Of course the Nigeria economy suffers largely from this venom.
"Corruption in Nigeria has affected Nigeria in so many facets of public and private sector. The magnitude of its harmful effect is colossal, affecting the entire area of public and private expenditures, siphoning huge revenues that would have been used for the overall development of the nation" -Ali, 2007. The civil service which should be the back bone, the secret and the most efficient part of governance has become the advocate of falsehood- various reported cases of ghost workers. They have bowed to the golden image of this dragon which is only a deceit to mankind. Corruption as it were does not only affects or spring forth from the political arena - just most visible, but also been visible in various aspects of human life.
CAN IT BE DEFEATED?

Fight against corruption as campaigned by the present government of is not new in the ears of the citizens. A quite number of government legislations have been enacted, Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) Act, Africa Union Convention in Prevention and Combating Corruption, Public Procurement Act, Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007, including institutions set up to curb corruption (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related offences Commission and Code of Conduct Bureau under the Obasanjo regime, established by Acts 2004. Yet corruption is seen to be celebrated as though a celebration of a new born baby. A situation of where a convict is being celebrated after serving sentence for money laundering. I chuckle...
Corruption is believed to have to occured as a result of dissonance between our society reality and our expectations and where society does not adequately regulate the natural drives of individuals who are in pursuit of such expectations. The society is seen to have neglected its role, starting from the family.
As a Yoruba adage would a say ile lati nkeso rode meaning a man built from his immediate home before the larger society. A child who is not scolded for stealing a piece of meat or biscuit from his or her friend is likely to advance in such an act which the society eventually suffers from the consequences for not curbing such an act in the first place.
I submit on this note that "leadership is the crux of our problem in Nigeria. If we must straighten our country, then we must get our leadership right. To get our leadership right, we must get our electoral process right, in order to get the right people in the right office" – (Ikedi Ohakim, 2009). A serious progressive government will confront corruption at its root. It will make the center less attractive and make government accountable to the people. It is then up to us whether to continue remain in the hand of this terror-Corruption or strive to deliver ourselves for the poverty it has caused us over the years , and create an avenue for the coming generations to better their world too. Its a pity Vision 2020 is off the table, we hope for a better Nigeria in 2030-Achieving the 17 SDGs and looking forward to Project2060- Dr. TUNDE AYENI .

Bolawa Pelumi Solomon18

LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN NIGERIA- A short Insight

Across the globe, it is believed that participation is one of the crux in democracy. Democracy in a concise form is government of the people by the people and for the people - *Abraham Lincoln.
 John Stuart Mills, one of the major proponent of Democratic-Partipatory School of Thought, who advocates that the best form of local government is its explanation, is one which allows democratic participation of the people at the local level to get involved in governance at the grassroot level, to allow their inputs, in ideas and initiatives.
The 1976 cum 1984 local government reform in Nigeria was meant to be a ground breaking evolution of local government in Nigeria(which lasted for a few years), but over the years the recognition and essentiality of local government in Nigeria has been dwindling.
For almost a decade, local government election has not been conducted in over 80% of local governments (774) across the country in which the major reason can be traced to the encroachment of state government in local government administration .For these years, Caretaker Committees have been set up to see to the affairs of local government in these States.
The negative impacts of State Government on Local government cannot be overemphasised seeing it has made local government councils handicap and has transformed them to be a tools in the hand of the state drivers, rather than being seen as a separate tier or level of government.(1979 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria).
Oyo state local government election held on the 18th May, 2018 saw the ruling political party sweeping the whole 33local governments in the state shows the level of our political participation-paradox
What then is the principle of our democracy?

Bolawa Pelumi Solomon