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Nigeria is now open indeed
NORMAN ETELI
THERE is a
persuasion to place on the front line, some major and remarkable achievements so
far in Nigeria�s democratic journey since 29th May 1999. The empowerment
situates in the fact that since the inception of President Olusegun Obasanjo�s
government, he has boldly and courageously taken steps to demystify certain
hitherto "tabooed" areas and endeavours of the life which were the sole preserve
of a minute segment of the entire Nigerian population. Let me not put you in
suspense. Consider the cancellation of oil blocks of some privileged Nigerians,
the Oputa Panel, the Global System for Mobile (GSM) telephony, etc. The
president has therefore incurred the wrath (positive as it were) of the entire
African Continent and International Community, because he is no longer to find
rest as he would jet from one corner of the globe to the other to give humanity
their desired rest.
Another empowerment is the fact that in
these days of fierce criticisms, the tendency is to lose sight of major landmark
successes achieved in the nation�s resolve to vigorously pursue democratic
ideals. Actually, I was one of those Nigerians who questioned why Mr. President
has to embark on such trips in earnest despite the hue and cry over his action.
But now it is clear to critics that indeed Mr. President saw the future better
than us because the results have now started manifesting. So I have decided to
look at a few of the numerous high quality achievements believing that just as I
wondered, fellow critics would also wonder on these successes and happily beat
their chests for Nigeria in their closests, as I know that some of my colleagues
would never publicly commend Mr. President for any progress. They would rather
keep it in a manner "swallowing the pain killer pill painfully." But let me
advise my colleagues with something my pastor told me in his sermon on a certain
Sunday. He said laughter and a joyous state of mind are medicinal to the
physical body, while anger and strife induce the massive release of the stress
hormone which is a known killer in our times. I wish you benefit from this
sermon if you have not heard it before.
Now to the crux of the matter, let us
first consider Democratisation in Nigeria and the sub region of West Africa.
During the last election in Nigeria, foreign observers who were in the Country
for the exercise generally hailed the elections. Though they pinpointed
electoral flaws in some areas, the observers categorically stated that such were
not weighty enough to call for annulment of the exercise. These people were not
bribed (of course they would have said it). They went round the country on their
own accord and gave their verdict. The same democracy had led to the opening up
of the Nigerian society where, for instance, the Independent Corrupt Practices
and other related offences Commission (ICPC), Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC), Oputa Panel, etc, have publicly dragged highly placed
Nigerians to answer for their public crimes. In all these, Mr. President�s
courage and will-power to succeed are crystal clear. Mr. President has also
taken this democratic crusade to our sub region where for all renegade military
officers "the fear of Nigeria is the beginning of wisdom" if they show ambition
for political change. In other words, it is clear that the days of unnecessary
overthrow of government are over. There must now be that serene political
climate any government would need to pursue the socio-economic development of
its people. Empowered by the new African Union charter, Nigeria�s president has
not only shown determination but practical examples in Sao Tome and Principe,
Guinea Bissau, Liberia, etc. Latest in this wise are the disputes between Rwanda
and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), over the rebels in DRC and the
Darfur crisis in Sudan.
Now having juxtaposed these efforts with
world wide desire for peace and security, it is clear why Nigeria is called up
to face any area of strife in Africa and the globe in general. The world�s
confidence in Nigeria�s leadership has thrown to us any available position of
leadership. Consider Mr. President�s chairmanship of AU, the chairmanship of the
new African Security Council, the African Peer Review Panel arising from the
need to successfully implement the New Partnership for African�s Development (NEPAD),
chairmanship of Commonwealth of Nations as well as the spokes- person for Africa
in the G8 forum. Even though it can be argued that most of these positions are
rotatory, how many countries are there in Africa that the rotation to Nigeria
came up in quick successions? In fact, positions are literally thrown at us
(Nigerians) believing we have the capacity to withstand any pressure and we have
not betrayed such trust. These undoubtedly have been brought about by the
goodwill which president Obasanjo enjoys across the Globe.
Consider the introduction of Due Process
in most economic activities, chiefly the contract award system. Today, the
so-called "juicy" contracts no longer go to political cronies and patrons. They
are competively bidded for and the best and most competent are given contracts.
It is clear that the era in which contractors are simply listed in the bedrooms
of ministers and colossal amounts of money paid out to them without commensurate
job performance is over. This is a deliberate policy by government to ensure
that the tax payers� money is judiciously spent and to ensure even distribution
of the scarce resources to the wide ranging areas of need. It can not be untrue
to state that the process has saved government several millions of naira which
would have gone in through inflated contracts to protect interest of the former
unseen manipulating hands.
In the area of Healthcare delivery,
Nigeria is at the brink of totally eradicating the scourge of polio. In fact it
was the politicization of the matter at some point in the country that delayed
its progress. Now everybody appears to see reason and the matter is being
doggedly pursued. In the area of the dreaded AIDS, experts say the prevalent
rate of the pandemic has now reduced. This is due largely to the intensified
efforts of Mr. President alongside his African colleagues, notably President
Thabo Mbeki of South Africa. Together they have been able to give the fight a
human face by providing anti retroviral drugs and preaching against
discrimination which in itself is a major killer of patients. Mr President�s
efforts in this wise are well known to the international community. That is why
donor countries and agencies led by the United States of America (USA) have not
relented in pursuing this noble cause. Impressed by the effort of African
leaders, President George W. Bush of USA during his last African tour in July
2003 pledged the involvement of USA in the AIDS fight to the tune of fifteen
billion Dollars ($15b). This is a plus to a continent undoubtedly placed under
the leadership of Mr President.
More than anything else, the success in
GSM communication remains most indelible in the minds of Nigerians. This has
resultantly placed Mr President�s feet in the sands of time in the development
of this country. He has indeed demystified the issue of telephony in Nigeria.
Statistics show that before the advent of GSM communication, only a total of
four hundred thousand lines covered the whole country of over one hundred and
twenty lines just within a space of three years. Handling phones no longer
remained the sole preserve of the few rich as in the 090 days. Today, telephone
is no more a status symbol. This has also positively affected the psychic of the
masses who would before now look at owners of telephone as their oppressors,
those who would never allow them a chance for prosperity. Perhaps the most
revolutionary in this GSM matter is the easy manner it provides self-employment
for millions of Nigerians. At almost no cost a telephone business springs up and
we would not know the multitude of social vices which this singular mode of
business has covered. And you would not help but attribute it to a success for
Mr. President.
Have we also considered the new dynamics
in the Nigerian banking system which stipulates the twenty five billion naira
liquidity rate for all banks in system? They say there are two very strong banks
in South Africa the financial base of which eighty Nigerian Banks could not
rival. This is certainly not a good development for the Nigerian economy.
Remember the shoddy deals in foreign exchange transactions for which the Central
Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had to punish twenty nine banks? Most banks in this
country exist for the patronage of illegal money transfer deals. Of course that
is an avenue for quick money so they get neck deep. But now they are crying and
their dilemma is that they can not cry aloud lest the normally huge profit
declarations at Annual General Meetings (AGMs) would be re-scrutinized. We
therefore call on the CBN to implement the new policy so Nigerians could chant
the "nune dimitis" of mediocrity in banking, Greedy politicians in the
habit of transferring money into their private accounts abroad would also be
frustrated as they would find no convenient environment anymore.
In the area of sub-regional and
international co-operations, Nigeria has also done very well. The ECOWAS
integration process culminating in the "Two Fast Track Approach" is a plan not
only to ensure economic integration but to practically demonstrate the brotherly
disposition expected in the sub-region of West Africa. This laudable effort
between Nigeria and Ghana has now been surpassed by the planned monetary union
of seven West African states namely Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Gambia, Sierra
Leone, Guinea and Senegal, which would commence July 2005. This is a development
which would serve to open up to member countries all sorts of economic
opportunities.
Aside the ECOWAS co-operations, Nigeria�s
international economic activities know no bounds. Only recently the government
hosted the World Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (WASMET). This
brought together at Abuja diverse business concerns all over the world and also
exposed our economic activities and available opportunities waiting to be
tapped, to the world. Since then series of trade missions from Europe and the
Far East have not ceased in their visits for business opportunities. But we all
know that there was no such possibility prior to the advent of the ongoing
democratic process.
�Eteli wrote from Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
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