Opportunity
is not yet lost for Nigeria to get it right… Yes we still have hope!
by - @jerrydeking
In 1971, the share of agriculture to GDP stood
at 48.23 percent. By 1977, it had declined to almost 21 percent. Agricultural
exports, as a percentage of total exports, which was 20.7 per cent in 1971,
reduced to 5.71 percent in 1977. The oil-boom resulting from the Arab oil embargo
in 1973, affected the agricultural sector adversely in Nigeria. The economy
became heavily dependent on oil. By this time, oil revenue represented almost
90 percent of foreign exchange earnings and about 85 percent of total exports.
Despite the oil boom, the private sector remained weak and the austerity
measures introduced by the military administration under General Olusegun
Obasanjo were not effective because structural problems were not addressed.
Consequently, the economy entered a recessionary phase, requiring further
measures to improve the system. An
opportunity lost? Yes....
The 60s presented some
cracks in the Nigerian political development and tested our readiness to manage
post independent Nigeria. The country was still dealing with deep ethnic and
religious divide. The perceived injustice and sequence of events that led to an increased ethnic
tension and violence resulted to Nigeria civil war of 1967 to 1970. The 70s then provided an opportunity for the total overhaul of Nigerian military and security apparatus that would deemphasized ethnic, class or religious sentiments and ensure all classes and citizens obtained positions of authority despite their origin. But it was not addressed, which played a major part in subsequent military coups in Nigerian history championed by soldiers from one area of the country; yet another lost opportunity.
The national conference being planned this year by the Nigerian President, The Honorable Goodluck Jonathan, could have happened immediately after the civil war to reconcile all groups, address all concerns, restructure the country and address what might lead to future conflicts, but we have not been sincere with ourselves since amalgamation. Can this conference address all structural issues confronting the entity called Nigeria? It seems it was a lost opportunity in the late 70s and early 80s.
Nigeria has been patronizing western nations including the US, Japan and Korea for cars and equipment for many decades, yet the Engineers from Igbo extraction who played major roles in the execution of the Biafran war and led the manufacturing of ammunitions and armored vehicles and other inventions were never absorbed into research centers after the war. These skills were not harnessed for national development. Yet, it became another lost opportunity.
Beginning in 1979, Nigerians had the opportunity to return to democracy led by Alhaji Shehu Shagari and to address all issues that led to the wastage of the 70s. Yet the Shagari government was increasingly viewed as corrupt and incompetent by virtually all sectors of Nigerian society. This led to the military coup of 1984 immediately after the fraudulent general election led by Major General Mohammadu Buhari. Yet, the entry of military administration dragged Nigeria back and it became another lost opportunity.
All the Military heads of the State that seized power after Buhari, include, General Babangida who conducted the 1993 elections that was perceived as the most credible in Nigerian history, yet he annulled it despite millions of dollars spent to conduct the elections. Yet another lost opportunity.
In the late 90s, President Obasanjo was elected with support of almost all
Nigerians with hope and enthusiasm that the administration will build from
lessons of the past. His administration championed various initiatives including
pursuing privatization policies, our foreign debts and opening up of the
economy for investors especially in the telecommunications industry. Yet,
issues like strengthening state institutions like the Judiciary and Police to
fight corruption were not well pursued as most at the helm of affairs were
accused of embezzlement and corruption. Strategic
strengthening of security apparatus in anticipation of future terrorist attacks
and insurgency were not taken serious as security agencies were neither well
equipped nor trained; the national ID card project was inconclusive which
provided no national data to track criminals and terrorists. Nigerians were faced with zoning and
rotational presidency to the detriment of qualified citizens, which today has
heated up the polity. Also an opportunity presented itself for Nigeria to readdress
what happened during the oil boom of the 70s where ‘Udoji salary’ scheme
contributed to our economic, yet we ran a government that makes legislating a
full time job where bogus salaries were initiated in secrecy to the detriment
of the economy. Yet, we lost a golden opportunity to set a foundation.
In July 2009, President Yar’Adua hurriedly
offered amnesty without an exit strategy to militants in the Delta region in
the wake of militancy that affected oil exploration as a result of long years
of neglect of the region and agitation for resource control. The program
offered unconditional pardon and cash payments to militants who agreed to lay
down their arms. This program is about to expire in 2015 and
the questions is, what next? Has Nigeria
lost the opportunity yet? There is still a window of opportunity left to
develop a holistic program to address the aftermath of post-Amnesty 2015. But time is running out.
The 2011 general
elections provided an opportunity for Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC) to put its house in order and address most challenges encountered since
1999 elections, but in the year 2013, we have not learned enough lessons to
address most structural issues such as Voters’ registers not being upgraded, permanent voter’s cards have not been issued,
use of adhoc staff who lack integrity, corrupt INEC officials, electronic
ballot, delineation of constituencies, insecurity in North East and in Niger
delta creeks, independent candidates and
many more. INEC has requested N92.904 billion to conduct 2015 elections. The
question on everyone’s lips is, does INEC have the capacity to utilize this
fund and give Nigerians the best election ever? Anambra has come and gone and
we look forward to states like Ekiti and Osun as another acid test for INEC.
Would it be another lost opportunity? Have we
lost the opportunity yet? Still a question to be answered in Ekiti and Osun
in 2014 Governorship elections.
2013 has provided an
ample opportunity for African leaders to learn from the life of Late President Nelson
Mandela and do away with parochial interest that leads most African countries
into different types of conflicts which has affected African growth and development
since colonialism. Mandela’s life taught us that you don’t need
to hold position to exert influence. For over 27 years he was incarcerated, he exerted influence
from the prison walls. Over his five-year presidency, he exerted influence and
won accolades. Even after his retirement
from politics, Mandela’s influence grew as a global humanitarian and philanthropist. At death, the world stood still just for a
man who is represented what leadership should be. This influence he exerted
proves to us that positions and titles don’t define great leaders; great
leaders define and leverage the power of their positions to have a positive
impact to mankind. Do we have such leaders in Nigeria, past or
present? Nigerian leaders have this great opportunity to learn from Late
Mandela and leave legacies to be remembered by upcoming generation as we
approach the election year. Have we lost this opportunity? Nigeria is my country and I have not given up hope yet, even with the rough waves and tides we have had so far. Let history remember those that can stand up and say enough is enough. Let history remember those that gives good counsel to our leaders. Let history remember those who laugh while millions are weeping. Let history remember those gallant Police and Army Officers who despite all odds, gave their lives for the service of this nation even without any life insurance. Let history remember our leaders who despite the juicy temptation of staying back in power, relinquishes power for the unity and peace of the nation. You’re the Mandela of our time. We have this year and next year as an opportunity to right all wrongs and be remembered as a great nation, great people and God’s chosen generation. Have we lost the opportunity yet? I would say we still have time...
