How Arab leaders are building Dubai

Dubai, an Arab city and capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has continued to be attractive to different people all over the world. It is one of the wealthiest of the seven emirates that make up the country, which was created in 1971 following independence from the Great Britain. The major sources of revenue […]

Dubai, an Arab city and capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has continued to be attractive to different people all over the world. It is one of the wealthiest of the seven emirates that make up the country, which was created in 1971 following independence from the Great Britain.

The major sources of revenue in Dubai are manufacturing, provision of services and tourism. So, unlike countries that rely on oil, it has a diversified economic base – finance, trade, transportation, tourism, oil and technology.

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In 2017, tourism alone contributed about $41billion (up 4.6%) to the city’s gross domestic product (GDP) and provided 570,000 jobs. The contribution of the sector to the GDP rose by 138 per cent between 2007 and 2017.

Many people are not aware that Dubai, where every rich Nigerian is now running to for one thing or another, was once a desert. It took their then leader, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, who was a visionary leader, to turn the desert into one the world’s most awe-inspiring cities in less than 50 years. He was able to achieve this because he had a roadmap.

During a recent trip to Dubai, I came to more understanding that Nigeria has continued to suffer many years of developmental challenges due to bad leadership. We have continued to recycle the same crop of leaders that have nothing to offer. During elections, we abandon our best brains and go for people that have nothing to offer.

In Dubai, both foreigners and citizens obey their laws. And anyone who breaks the laws would be punished, no matter whose ox is gored. But unfortunately, in Nigeria, some people, especially rich and influential men, are above the law. 

In Dubai, there is adequate security everywhere; even 5-star hotels don’t have fences, so one can walk in and come out freely. And security cameras are working. There is high level of patriotism by their citizens because their government cares and loves their people wholeheartedly. Nobody is poor because all their citizens are on salaries. Their government educates and even conducts group marriages for them, as well as gives them house to start their marital lives. Now, why won’t the citizens of such country be patriotic?

Unfortunately, in Nigeria, the opposite is the case. In our country, one so-called leader will steal the entire money earmarked for development. He or she would use part of the ill-gotten money to settle the agencies that ought to have come after him, and that would be the end of the matter. However, only few people who probably did not ‘play according to their rules’ are used as scapegoats.

In Nigeria, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) just suspended its industrial action after several months. As a result of this faceoff with the federal government, the children of the poor were kept at home for the past seven months, while the children of elite, including our president, have been graduating from schools abroad and organising ceremonies. In our country, the gap between the poor and the rich is very wide. How do you expect patriotism from citizens in this kind of environment? It is practically very difficult. 

This situation has also led to different agitations and uncertainty in the land as the youth from poor homes are not happy with their leaders and the country. It has also led to their mass exodus from the country to seek greener pastures abroad.

As a way of trying to make a difference, religious leaders should inculcate the burden of preaching the gospel, building godly communities and touching lives, which is the hallmark of Christianity. Every human being should be given equal right and justice, which is also the hallmark of the legal profession. Some of us have known and practised these attributes over the years.

Recently, there was the need to take a trip to Dubai and see how people could build a great nation where they can live together in peace, as well as learn creativity and how to connect to opportunities for an onward implementation in our country.

The truth is that Nigeria does not have any reason to be in this current state of despair. God has given us everything we need to prosper as a country, the only thing missing is good leadership. 

Ironically, our leaders go to these beautiful countries but refuse to come back with developmental plans.

The massive developmental plans that transformed Dubai to what it is today is not rocket science. With good leaders, they are achievable. The difference here is that while Nigerian leaders were busy building their pockets, Arab leaders were building their people and nation. 

Does it mean that there are no competent men and women in Nigeria that can change the narrative? Of course, we have many of them; all we need is to look at the credentials of those that are seeking our votes in 2023 and elect the most qualified candidates at all levels.

Another very disturbing issue today is moneybag politics. For one to qualify as a candidate of a party, one needs to pay millions of naira. We have not forgotten how the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential forms cost N100million, while that of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) went for N50m. Apart from these forms, delegates were also allegedly influenced with millions of naira during the primaries.

Vote buying is also becoming a norm because of the rate of poverty and ignorance in the land. How can a right-thinking person mortgage his or her future with as low as N2,000? It is quite unfortunate. It must also be stated that it is the expensive nature of politics in Nigeria that encourages politicians to steal.

In 2023, Nigerians, especially the youth, should be wise. They should not vote on the bases of tribe, religion, region, deep pockets. Nigeria is bigger than one man’s ambition. As the campaigns kickoff, it should not be business as usual so that we can get it right. 

From Apostle Isaac Y. Adams who is a lawyer, estate developer and the founder/senior pastor of Global Kingdom Church, Garki II, Abuja.