Nigeria @ 55

On Thursday October 1st 2015 Nigeria will attain fifty-five years of independence. During this period there have been only three occasions in which the majority of citizens expressed great optimism for our political future. The first occasion was in 1960 when independence was granted but tragically the optimism proved to be misplaced. The nation quickly […]

On Thursday October 1st 2015 Nigeria will attain fifty-five years of independence. During this period there have been only three occasions in which the majority of citizens expressed great optimism for our political future. The first occasion was in 1960 when independence was granted but tragically the optimism proved to be misplaced. The nation quickly descended into political chaos culminating in a military coup and unnecessary fratricidal war. The end result of all the killings was prolonged corrupt and incompetent military rule. The second occasion was in May 1999 when the military finally relinquished power and returned to the barracks. An elected government was sworn in ending years of dictatorship, but regrettably the renewed national optimism was quickly stifled by the ruling People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) “business as usual” profligate, incompetent, and uncompassionate style of governance which set the tone for modern day corruption. It all culminated in perhaps the most corrupt and incompetent civilian administration ever, under President Jonathan. The third occasion was most recently in May 2015 when President Mohammed Buhari (PMB) won elections against a seemingly irremovable PDP national government. Inheriting the reigns after years of decay, PMB has been given a heavy load to bear. It’s widely accepted that the heaviest weight to bear is the weight of an empty pocket. Adjusting for dwindling revenues “only” N70 million was approved for 2015 Independence celebrations. Notwithstanding the approval, it’s been made clear that PMB would personally have preferred that the money be used to pay worker’s who are owed salaries. Just four events have been scheduled; Jumat prayers, interdenominational thanksgiving service, ceremonial changing of the guards, and a children’s party. Although commendable many Nigerians still find it difficult to fathom how these events could possibly be that expensive however N70 million does represent progress of sorts. In 2010 the budget was N10 Billion – nearly fifteen times higher! Admittedly the nation was “celebrating” its 50th year, but the budget details give an insight into the true spendthrift culture of government. Designing and unveiling the 50th anniversary logo cost N30 million. Special Reports on Nigeria in both local and international media cost N1.2 Billion, while jingles, adverts, billboards, documentaries and publicity cost a further N320 million. Designing and publication of a compendium on Nigeria cost N400 million, while a further N200 million was budgeted for compendiums for the legislature and judiciary (as if they are not part of Nigeria). Gift items and branded souvenirs cost N450 million. The presidential banquet gulped N40 million. Events managers and producers were paid N120 million, while N500 million was “spent” on security and protocol! It doesn’t require too much insight to know that the bulk of this money may have been misappropriated. It is of utmost importance that squander mania ends and government is seen to empathise with the majority of the populace who face serious economic hardships.
After fifty-five years of independence Nigeria remains undeveloped because its resources have been mismanaged. It’s general knowledge that the parent of this mismanagement is corruption which is why so much attention is focused on the anti-corruption war. The punitive approach to the war is supported by many Nigerians who desire retribution for past misdeeds no matter how selective the prosecutions may be. Critics of this approach believe that effectively wiping out large-scale corruption requires an understanding of its processes more than punishment of the guilty. They claim that fear of getting caught isn’t likely to end corruption especially when it hasn’t ended drug smuggling into countries with death penalties for such offenses. In truth Presidents, Ministers and Governors don’t sign government cheques. Only when the processes through which they loot the treasury are exposed and such dealings rendered impossible in future can large scale corruption be wiped out. As the nation celebrates another year various pressure groups complain that government is yet to address other problems just as pressing as financial crimes. For example Amnesty International insists that our human rights record remains poor. The main problem is use of force, torture and extra-judicial killings by security agencies. Furthermore arbitrary arrests, prolonged pre-trial detention, inhuman degrading treatment of suspects, and harsh life threatening prisons and detention centres are still common. Besides ill-disciplined security forces, judicial corruption, human trafficking, child labour, domestic violence, sex discrimination, and vigilante killings also remain unchecked. In addition our multitude of diverse ethno-linguistic groups continue to spark sectarian tensions and violence. The Niger Delta militancy and complaints over oil production operations, the Boko Haram insurgency and attempts to create a “caliphate” within the nation, the middle-belt herdsmen pastoralist clashes, and rural inter-communal violence are still here with us. Our school system remains shambolic. No serious attempt is being made to provide functionally relevant education with marketable employment skills to the majority of school leavers for whom there are no places in the higher education system. Worse still the numbers of children not receiving any formal education whatsoever remains scandalous. On the brighter side many Nigerian youths are receiving international recognition by making a mark in the entertainment and sporting arenas. Even then it must be admitted that our sporting prowess has declined as a result of non-existent sporting facilities in schools. Since 1999 successive governments have mismanaged our affairs, suppressed honest entrepreneurial spirit and encouraged corruption. In the process of running the nation into near ruin they bred cynicism and almost extinguished patriotism. As the Nigeria turns fifty-five it’s essential that the “old war horse” PMB reverses the trend and ensures he nurtures rather than extinguishes the national optimism and patriotism his re-emergence rekindled.