This is part 2 of the article written by Dr. Kingston Ekeke on the affairs of the nation Nigeria as published by The African Herald Express. We at Nigerians React thought the article was interesting to share.
- Why Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was not elected World Bank President – I applaud the courage of Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to vie for World Bank presidency. However, with all due respect, Nigeria/Africa did not make history. She tried. I applaud her and your courage. Frankly, this is a wake-up call for Africa. The selection of Korean, Dr. Jim Yong Kim, and a Harvard trained medical doctor over a Nigerian, Dr. (Mrs.) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, a Harvard and MIT trained Economist, as its 12th President of the World Bank Group is a clear message to Africa. Despite Dr. Kim’s impressive educational portfolio and impeccable professional achievement in medical field, I still think his appointment is purely a political decision rather than professionalism and merit. In-addition to Dr. Okonjo-Iweala’s impeccable educational qualification, she had worked off and on for about 20 years at World Bank as Secretary and Director. It’s just awkward that a Medical Doctor rather than an Economist and Finance expert will be heading the global financial institution like World Bank.
The U.S. and the Western nations don’t care about Africa – period. Do I blame them! It’s interesting that while the contest to head the World Bank was going on, military coups are taking place in Africa – Mali, Guinea Bissau and then Boko Haram Jihadists were murdering people daily in Nigeria – in-addition to various scandals and scams like Ibori’s looting, Police pension scam, fuel subsidy scam, and various bribery schemes and corruption by politicians, government officials and civil servants. Who wants to give anyone from Africa such global honor and responsibility, no matter how qualified that person may be, to head such a reputable global financial institution with all the nonsense going-on in the continent. African rulers will have to work hard to clean-up their mess – such as fight poor leadership, corruption, reduce poverty, disease and illiteracy, improve on human rights, and then invest in their people and build infrastructure.
I must also give credit to the Koreans – specifically South Korea. Their two sons are now leading the two respectable world organizations – United Nations and World Bank. Ban Ki-moon (the 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations) and Dr. Jim Yong Kim (the 12th President of the World Bank Group). South Korea bounced back after a brutal war between them and their neighbor, North Korea, rebuilt their infrastructure and invested heavily in their people. Today, South Korea is one of the Asian Tigers while North Korea is wasting their energy developing nuclear weapons and starving their citizens of food and global participation. Shame on them!
Having said that, Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala represents the economic interest of the IMF and World Bank. Her economic policies in the past reflect that. Her economic policies in the previous administrations have never worked well in a culturally diverse minded people and developing nation like Nigeria – NEEDS, SEEDS and FUEL SUBSIDY REMOVAL are just those examples of her IMF/World bank economic programs that never worked. SAP was another IMF/World Bank package designed to bastardize Nigeria’s currency and destroy the nation’s economy and monetary system, which was embraced by IBB and his economic team. They fiercely sold it to poor Nigerians and look at where we are today.
Today, it’s fuel subsidy removal. Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala has not explained to Nigerians how she plans to re-invest the subsidy savings and guarantee to Nigerian people that the prices of fuel, kerosene and other petroleum resources will remain the same after the subsidy is removed – if not, how will the common folks living on less than $2 per day survive. Once again, I think that Nigeria’s economic and monetary policies should be approached from a cultural, social, and psychological mind-set of the Nigerian people not from Western mindset or to benefit Western capitalism. By the way, the Sovereign Wealth Fund is one of those deceptive strategies to embezzle and loot. There are other ways within the Federal system to save for future generations – Federation Account, Foreign Reserves, etc. The justification for SWF is just fictitious and capricious.
Fiscal Federalism, Resource Control and Poverty in the North – I believe that we cannot have an equitable society until we reform our current system of government. We must design a system that is deeply rooted in our diverse culture, religion, way of thinking and doing things. I don’t know what that system should be called – but even if you call it democracy, it should be fashioned to reflect our collective experiences as Nigerians. It is insane to borrow Western democracy and try to implement in Nigeria – or Africa.
Unfortunately, Nigeria was bequeathed with a colonial system of government that’s corrupt and tribalistic. Since independence, Nigeria has had various systems of government – unitary, parliamentary, military and now democratic presidential system, yet without any political peace or progress. Borrowing from the erudite scholar and Nigeria’s former permanent representative to UN, Dr. Joseph Nanyen Garba, “In our fifty-one years of nationhood, we have made an unprecedented turnaround; going from a nation of hope, strength, abundance, economic prosperity and high aspirations to a nation which has become the embodiment of a degenerate society.”
Since independence Nigeria has been governed by a group of greedy, egoistic, and visionless political leaders and military rulers. Despite the enormous human potential and abundant natural resources Nigeria is endowed with, she has not enjoyed any genuine political peace and national prosperity. Instead, the country has been ruled and governed by military tyrants and political savages that denied the masses basic necessities of livelihood and governmental provisions such as security, order, peace and in so doing, denied the citizens the yearnings of every human being, which is the inalienable right to life, justice and pursuit of happiness. In a nutshell, Nigeria has always been ruled, governed and led by gangsters – mostly men without honor, character and integrity despite their degrees and educational qualification.
Still on Fiscal Federalism, I also think that the socio-economic development should be de-centralized. States and local government should be empowered and allowed to run their economies as well as security like State Police force, etc and pay tax revenues to the federal government. What we have today in our society is a totalitarian statecraft in which power is concentrated in the center and that’s why we have such brazen corruption, incompetence and poor leadership.
Concerning revenue sharing formula debate, the 13% oil revenue being given to major oil producing States is actually small. I think the formula should be adjusted to actually pay more to oil producing states – considering the environmental pollution, climate changes that impact on ecosystem and health.
Regarding extreme poverty debate in the North, that CBN Governor Sanusi and other Northern leaders are talking about, which has been echoed by international community, including NY Times liberal Professor Jean Herskovits is rather unfortunate. The reason for poverty in the North is not because of oil revenue sharing formula but poor leadership. These apologists of Northern poverty must understand that since Nigeria’s amalgamation, Northerners ruled the nation for forty-something years. They had been in power and did practically nothing but to dole poor and bad leadership to their people and entire nation. The Hausa/Fulani Oligarchy and their hypocritical British empire have consistently used ‘divide-and-rule’ to destroy the Southerners. You talk about poverty in the North, go see marginalization and devastation in Southeast and South-south.
For nearly half a century of Nigeria’s independence, the Hausa/Fulani Oligarchy held power and ruled Nigeria with impunity and incompetence. They rubbished Nigeria’s economy and held the people back from progress. Since 1999, power shifted to the South, these power-hungry zealots have re-engaged their religious-political jihadist and murderous sect known as Boko-Haram to maim, destroy, and kill innocent citizens. They are the ones that had doled bad leadership and held their people especially women and young people backwards and continues to do so even today. I admire Dr. Junaid Mohammed’s boldness and courage to condemn the selfish, self-serving and incompetent Northern generals and politicians that ruled the country for nearly a half century without any thing to show for their governance and leadership. They did not only rubbish the North but ruined the entire nation.
Boko Haram, Insecurity, National Dialogue, and Nigeria’s Break-up Imminent – Over the last few months and in the past, we have listened and read from eminent Nigerians, scholars and brilliant minds as well as global community saying that Nigeria is a divided nation and suggesting strongly for its division. Those articles, essays, papers, and interviews call into the question the continued unity of Nigeria amid gross injustice, incompetence, monumental corruption, bad leadership, religious divide, ethnic hatred, religious violence and jihad massacres among other things. My question is this, “why are we afraid of dividing the country if we can’t correct the injustices in the federal structure and endeavor to live like one people and as united nation destined to redeem the black race on planet earth.
I do not understand why some people wants to hold the variant groups that make Nigeria hostage while its citizens are perishing everyday to poverty, disease, corruption, bad leadership, and Boko-Haram. It beats my imagination that people would be forced to live together even when socially, culturally, linguistically, religiously, politically, economically, and morally, they are so diverse and do not think similarly. Yet in other multi-faceted nations like ours, nations, groups, tribes, etc., are peacefully separating from each other. Even recently, we read that Scotland is divorcing peacefully from Britain without violence or war – just by people’s voice, vote and referendum. Yet, a complicated and multi-faceted nation like ours, we can’t even have a dialogue – called it Sovereign National Conference, National Dialogue or National Discussion. It doesn’t matter. What matters is for all the variant groups that make up the so-called Nigerian State to t sit down and have serious conversation about the future of the nation and her people. Nigeria as currently constituted does not make sense anymore. Its continued cohabitation has become a curse. Men and women of courage must rise-up to do what is right for Nigeria, her people and her destiny. I understand, love and cherish the beauty and power of diversity, but why all these killings and gross injustice against another ethnic group.
I think the issue is this, The Hausa/Fulani Oligarchy, Northern Caliphate, Kaduna Mafia and the group of greedy, visionless, and myopic politicians that have held our nation hostage do not want to loose their power and questionable wealth. However, this selfish, self-serving and superficial bunch must understand that the Nigerian experiment fabricated by Britain has failed. This union or marriage between the variant groups has not worked; rather, it has been involved in consistent adultery and persistent lies. It has been an idolatrous relationship and adulterous marriage which has produced many illegitimate children that are angry, frustrated, depressed, and hopeless. This marriage must be divorced because it is lacking trust, genuine love, respect and integrity. Why continue to stay in such a mistrust marriage and union? Even God or Allah will not approve such adulterous marriage and union of death.
The Nigeria state is a failed experiment and we the people must decide our destiny now. Why all these arguments against a peaceful division of Nigeria. So far, it has been a union of death. Why continue to co-exist in such animosity and hatred toward each other. The best thing for Hausa/Fulani, Yoruba, and Igbo – is a peaceful division. I don’t understand what the fear is about. Our destiny cannot be dictated by some foreign powers and conspirators. They’re not our God. There is no future in “One Nigeria.” Islam cannot cohabit with Christianity. It has never happen. It didn’t happen in Abraham’s home and it will not happen anywhere in the world. The people must rise up and muster the courage to liberate themselves from this evil and worthless union.
Those who continue to believe in “One Nigeria” are basking in euphoria and ignorance. There has never been one true nation. The North does not believe in one Nigeria. The Hausa/Fulani Oligarchy just want to be in control and that’s all. Boko Haram is their modern day religious/political warfare. Have you noticed the sympathy of the Northern leaders toward Boko-Haram? Wipe out Boko Haram, within few years, another jihadist group will be formed. This has always been the story of Islamic fundamentalism in Nigeria. They are always in government and around you. So far, they have accumulated 250 years worth of oil reserves in Kaduna plus their vast solid minerals – even though quite expensive to excavate, however, they are ready to have their Islamic /Sharia State. If the oil resources were located in the North, “One Nigeria “would have been past tense.
There is currently no country on the planet like Nigeria – with 50% Muslims and 50% Christian population. Both faith cannot co-exist and has never co-existed. It has never happen anywhere without blood shed and war and will not be a different case in Nigeria. The bloodshed will continue in some form or fashion until this union of death is broken into separate independent states or countries. Those who continue to believe in “One Nigeria” do not have any inkling of the real problem – which is rooted in their religion – Islam to be the religious domination of the world and the quest for Islamic and Sharia State. I blame the British for all this nonsense and mess. It’s such a sad situation for the various ethnicities that make-up the so-called Nigeria today.
The Federal government and our security agencies are incapable to curtail the massacres of Boko Haram jihadist’s sect. The Northern leaders on their own part have failed woefully to tame this satanic sect called Boko Haram. In fact, the Northern leaders are part of the problem. Sadly enough, Nigeria is one of the few nations in the world where her citizens live in fear and dread Islamic massacre on daily basis now. It’s sad indeed. Now, the Northerners will have to deal with the decline business activity in their regions. Nigeria is basically at war when people are not free to live where they choose to live. No basis to remain as a united nation.
Nigeria is in a serious crisis and state of chaos and confusion and unless some form of strong and decisive leadership is taken, the nation may degenerate into anarchy, war, and break-up. The continued massacres in the North have forced many Southerners – especially many Igbos to return to their home states. Until now, no one has been convicted for the on-going killings in Northern Nigeria by Boko Haram jihadists. All we hear is arrest and escape. The former IGP, Mr. Hafiz Ringim allowed a suspected Boko Haram Christmas Day massacre to escape. Since then, all we hear and read is the superficial arrest or killing of Boko Haram jihadists and the very next day, the same person arrested will murder at another location. This is absolutely nonsense. What sort of people and nation are these?
On September 21, 2011, Tishau, supposedly, one of the leaders of Boko-Haram granted an interview to News Agency of Nigeria and said, I quote, “Our aim is to spread Islam all over Nigeria, that is our mission and I want people to understand that our correct name is Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad. Those calling our group Boko Haram do so to discredit the group and it ideas.” By the way, Boko-Haram has been saying it for years; they do not want only to Islamize the North but the entire Nigeria, which will be an impossible task anyway However, I wish them to break away from Nigeria. Someone had suggested – Boko Haram republic or Almajiris or even Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna or Lidda’awati wal-Jihad republic. They have a lot of choices here to make what to call their new found republic. I must also say that Boko-Haram may be a useful tool to purge and sanitize the North of corrupt political leaders
Just this past week, the leader of Boko Haram sect, Sheik Abubakar Imam Shekau boasted that President Goodluck Jonathan cannot end its insurgency in June as publicly stated. The group also boasted that Nigerian security agencies cannot take them down by June 2012 and vowed that it must destroy Christians and Christianity in Nigeria particularly those killing Muslims in Nigeria and it will also kill all Muslims aiding the arrest and harassment of its members. Then, they made a tape, threatening to shutdown the government in 3 months. Boko Haram has also boasted that nobody can stop them. Even the chief of Army staff, Lieutenant General Azubuike Ihejirika confessed that the army has failed woefully to stop the murderous sect.
All we hear and read is that Federal government is negotiating and giving Boko Haram leaders’ money for them to stop their massacres – yet the presidency claims that Boko Haram has infiltrated the government. Despite the underground talks with Boko-Haram, the United States office for African affairs, recently blamed Boko-Haram murderous activities as a result of economic malaise and poverty in the North. This echoes the same thinking and propaganda of New York Times journalist, Prof. Prof. Jean Herskovits, who called Boko Haram, a faceless sect and balmed their murderous activities due to poverty in those Northern States. If that is the case madam professor, the blacks leaving in ghettos in America should pick up arms and start killing white people in the South and elsewhere in the country. What a myopic, irrational thinking and poor rationale.
Concerning businesses and properties belonging to Southerners, should Nigeria break-up into pieces, we should follow the pattern used by Senegal or other nations that have divided. In any case, the South will continue to give oil to North. Like Dr. Junaid Mohammed and others, who are already fighting over Abuja, must understand that Abuja was built with oil wealth from SS/SE – including the labor and personnel. Most of the businesses in Abuja today are owned or run by Southerners – mostly Ndi-igbo.
Boko Haram – the religious-political-jihadist north is ready to go their separate ways, but the South (SW, SE and SS) are not ready. The South still believes in Nigeria’s unity as one indivisible nation. There is nothing wrong to believe so. I’m optimistic too but doubtful. The long history of gross injustice, incompetent leadership, monumental corruption, ethnic bias and hatred, religious and current jihadist mayhem, etc., cannot and will not promote unity at all. There has to be a new system, a new thinking, an atonement so to speak – revival, reconciliation, redemption, restoration, and resurrection for Nigeria’s unity to stand.
I’m cautious to say; that the North may give South the opportunity to go their separate ways in gold platter and the South may not be able to seize the opportunity. That’s my fear. It dreads me that if we fail to seize the opportunity now or correct the injustice in the system, we are doomed forever. Nevertheless, I believe the 2015 U.S. military intelligence report of Nigeria break-up. I’m not sure; we will even get to 2015 anyway. We are only in 2012 and already this kind of viciousness, anger, and outrage are ravaging and polluting the national space.
2015 Presidency and Nigeria’s Risk of One-party Demo-crazy – Three years away from 2015, the political wrangling and rancor between SS, SE and North over 2015 presidency have already begun and heating up the polity. Every major ethnic tribe except SW is threatening with brimstone and fire, yet President Jonathan is only completing his first year and first term in office.
Watching and listening to various speakers during the recent PDP convention held in Abuja, where Dr. Bamanga Turkur, surprisingly emerged as the national chairman of PDP, convinces me that Nigeria is currently being ruled by thugs and gangsters. The inability of a formidable opposition party is the reason why Nigeria is in such predicament. I do not understand why the opposition parties, mostly ACN, CPC, ANPP, APGA, and others, irrespective of party philosophy and ideology, since the main goal is to dethrone PDP, cannot come together, unite and form a formidable alliance to flush out PDP from the seat of governance. The opposition parties have failed Nigerians because of their egos and self-importance. For Christ-sake, the various leaders of these mushroom parties must as a matter of urgency, sheathe their egos and self-importance and unite to send PDP packing from office in 2015, otherwise, the prophecy of ex-president Obasanjo will come true.
Because of this egoistic tendency and self-importance, what we have today is not democracy but demo-crazy, a thugo-cracy and gangster government, a political culture of corruption, greed, arrogance, violence and killings. In a nutshell, the game of politics and election into an office has become the surest way and quickest means to amass wealth. What we have in Nigeria is a mixture of satanic and cultic leadership. The Nigerian people are paying huge prize for this vicious and cultic leadership. The potentials, skills, talents, and destiny of Nigerian citizens are being wasted and lavished because of this evil and satanic leadership. We must change this trend; reverse this political culture, thinking and mentality in order to encourage intellectuals and other talented individuals to join public service that can truly transform Nigeria.
However, I support Ndi-igbo quest for the 2015 presidency. Forty-six years is long enough for Ndi-igbo to saddle the mantle of leadership in Nigeria as president. All hands must support the desire and aspiration of the largest ethnic tribe of Nigeria to herald the affairs of Nigeria from the top. It is time for the Nigerian State to honor “The declaration for the end of the war slogan: “No Victor No Vanquished.” Even though, I do not believe in rotational presidency and power sharing, nevertheless, I believe it is a workable system for Nigeria because of its complex makeup.
Ndi-igbo, on their own part must sincerely unite to fight for their well-deserved right to lead Nigeria. No power can be granted without a fight. The same for freedom! The quest for Igbo presidency in 2015 must become a reality, however; Ndi-igbo must unite against political saboteurs, traitors, cowards and selfish politicians. Ndi-igbo are one of the innovative tribes in Africa if not in the world along with their extended family in Israel, the Jewish people. But unlike the Jews, Ndi-igbo lack unity and cohesiveness. As I said many times, there is need and urgency for Ndi-igbo unity, which I believe is the most important remedy to end Southeast marginalization.
Ndi-igbo must reach-out to their next door brothers and sisters namely – Niger Delta, Ijaw, Kalabari, Ndoki, Ogoni, Efik, Ibibio, Oron, Annag, Adoni, Boki, Eket, Anag, Bini, Isoko, Urohobo, etc., That’s the challenge for Ndi-igbo leadership today. And I don’t see anyone in position of leadership and authority making that move. Ndi-igbo can’t win the presidency being in disarray and divided. “A house divided can’t stand,” Jesus Christ said. Disunity is the bane of Igbo marginalization – not the Nigerian State, not even the Biafra war. There is strength in unity and unity produces great accomplishment. There is no substitute for unity. It is a prerequisite for group and sustained success. Unity has to be sought, taught and exemplified among Ndi-igbo. Unity is essential to achieve any meaningful success. Ndi-igbo must restore her dignity, respect, and value system.
I would also like to advice Igbo men to humble themselves and give their women achievers the chance and opportunity to vie for the presidency in 2015. Ndi-igbo must understand that only one person can climb the ladder at a time. It will be impossible for 2, 5, or 10 people to become president at the same time. If Ndi-igbo miss the 2015 presidency, it would be 2050, according to my calculation that they can aspire for the coveted office again if the current rotation arrangement continues. So, all hands must be on deck to capture the 2015 presidency. At the same time, if President Jonathan makes up his mind to run again, a careful and wise decision must me made for the collective interest of Ndi-igbo.
A Call for Courageous Leadership – Leadership is lacking. Nigeria is currently leaderless – No one really is in charge but Boko- Haram! Great leaders are born in times of conflicts and challenges. Great leaders demonstrate character and courage to deal with tough situations. We have not seen that in Nigeria lately. Nigeria is currently leaderless and there’s no one really in-charge, but Boko-Haram. No wonder, the murderous sect is having a field day and savages are looting the oil wealth.
Corruption, lack of leadership and Boko-Haram are the greatest threats facing Nigeria today. Corruption is endemic in the fabric of our society and without godly courage, strength and character especially from those in position of power and authority; we would not be able to enjoy the freedom and dividends of democracy. The late President Yar’Adua styled himself as the servant leader that Nigeria desperately needs. A servant leader is a leader who works hard to provide for the needs of the people. Most Nigerians are not asking for luxury but basic necessities of life such as good and drivable roads, electricity, drinkable water, clinics, and hospitals and enabling environment in which they can tap into their God-given talents, skills and potential. I think that these basic things should be the top priorities for those elected in various positions of power and leadership in our country. Sadly, he’s gone, even though the 3-years of his presidency did not show his acclaimed servant-leadership model.
President Jonathan likens himself a transformational leader. Transformational leadership is liberating leadership. Such a leader is a change leader. Unfortunately, Nigeria has not seen any change since he took office in May 2011. President Goodluck Jonathan and his deputies must rise to the challenges of leadership. Leaders must see in troubling times a testing ground for developing strength, faith and courage. Those in position of power and authority will always be confronted with crisis. Leadership challenge will occur where there is weak character and compromised leadership. Wise and strong leaders do not compromise. Strong leaders know how to face crisis and challenges with courage and wisdom. Conflict and challenges are inevitable in the life of a leader. Wise leaders handle conflict with care, courage and compassion. Great leaders never compromise but rather confront challenges, crisis, and conflicts with courage and strength. If crisis and conflict are not confronted, it will lead to chaos. Conflicts must be dealt with. Any leader who compromises with violence and crisis will succumb to it. Courage is one of the greatest ingredients of pure and great leadership. No one can become a great leader without strong character and godly courage. Godly and courageous leadership is the dire need of leaders of this century. The 21st century has been characterized as a century of chaos, conflict and challenges. Leading in the 21st century will require godly wisdom, divine strength, courage, and compassion to lead wisely and productively.
Dr. Ekeke is a theologian, author, consultant, and leadership scholar. He is the president of Leadership Wisdom Institute.
This article was culled from the African Herald Express as published on the April 22,2012.
