Niger Delta International Initiative (NDII) is using this opportunity to wish the president; Umaru Yar'Adua a healthy and speedy recovery in order to continue leading the nation towards the right direction in a faster pace. However, if Umaru Yar'Adua’s presidency is truncated due to ailment, NDII wishes to suggest that the future leadership of the Vice President: Goodluck Jonathan and the Nigerian stakeholders work assiduously and selflessly in order to remedy the suffering of the masses and to avoid Nigeria being a failed state. From every indication, Nigeria is drifting towards a failed state with the Government inability to provide reasonable public services; however, there is still time to urgently remedy the situation. The high poverty and illiteracy level in the nation are promoting the insecurity in the society from Niger Delta crisis to kidnapping and the religious crisis in the North.
NDII examines the key areas of greatest concern for urgent reform in order to remedy the suffering of the masses and to avoid Nigeria being a failed state.
The problem in Nigeria as a whole is lack of viable economic and socio-political development: which lead to mass poverty and illiteracy, and the problem is perpetuated by poor and corruption leadership from banking sector, the judiciary, the law enforcement agencies, Local Government, State Government and the Federal Government. This problem can be resolved by addressing the real issue associated it, which is Lawlessness. Lawlessness breeds excessive corruption, and corruption creates poor leadership and performance, lack of accountability and fiscal irresponsibility, poverty and unemployment, low economic productivity, marginalization and neglect among others.
The cornerstone to sustainable development is through a practical approach in infrastructural development (development in education, energy, transportation, roads, waterways, housing, health, information technology, water supply, agriculture, financial institutions including micro financing, etc.). Today, there is no functional infrastructure in Nigeria . The nation needs infrastructural development in all sectors, which will promote safety and security, social and economic development and job creation. To this end, Nigerian leadership and stakeholders are challenged to make use of the high quality human resources at home and abroad, the type of Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi of the Central Bank, the former Minister of Solid Minerals Development; Ms. Obiageli Ezekwesili and the former finance minister; Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. These type of individuals are required in all key positions in the nation from the banking sector, the judiciary, the law enforcement agencies, Local, State and the Federal Government. It is time for Nigerian leadership and stakeholders to promote the appointment of competent individuals to decision making positions based on merit and not the appointment of incompetent individuals, junks and crooks brought by Godfathers.
To achieve social and economic development in Nigeria , the 774 Local Governments and the 36 State Governments must apply their resources to projects and programs for sustainable development in the local government areas and the states, respectively. Economic and socio-political development cannot be achieved in the nation without the Local Governments and the State Governments taking active part in the national developmental goals and policies. The nation cannot achieve tangible development, if the 774 Local Governments and the 36 State Governments are not committed to their responsibilities, the Federal Government cannot develop the nation alone. The above setbacks are created due to lawlessness and lack of accountability in the nation. In another note, the Federal Government should prevent bogus currencies in circulation if any to minimize inflation.
Nigeria needs effective judiciary and effective law enforcement agencies. Up-to-date, the judiciary and the law enforcement agencies are non-functional. Effective judiciary and effective law enforcement agencies will lead to develop, livable and safe society. Nigeria would develop only when the issue of corruption has been seriously tackled, and this required effective judiciary and effective law enforcement agencies. To this end, NDII highly suggests that the Federal Government seek external assistance from Britain and the United States of America in training and restructuring the judiciary, the police department, the road safety department, the customs, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI). The revitalization of the Rule of Law is required to reduce excessive corruption, which is now becoming a culture/the way of life in the nation and promote national development.
The resolution of the Niger Delta and Religious crises requires strong involvement from all stakeholders concern. The resolution of the crises can only come through sound preaching in the Mosques and Churches, mass education, infrastructural development in the nation and large scale capacity building, which will lead to job creation and safe society. Additionally, the crisis in the Niger Delta region and Religious crisis in the north can only be resolved when the local chiefs, religious leaders and politicians sponsoring these evil activities are identified and brought to book. Economic and social development does not thrive under violence.
Nigeria should elect and appoint credible individuals to leadership positions. Many individuals in decision making positions or leadership positions are under qualified, incompetent and they lack substance. Economic productivity cannot be achieved if the best candidates are denied appointments for less qualified persons on account of their religion, regions or tribe. Godfatherism should be checked in order to advantageously utilize our quality human resources outlet.
The immediate evaluation of the above impediments to national development and applying a corrective measure will reduce the chances of anarchy and prevent Nigeria from being a failed state. As noted, social development, economic development, peace, safety and security in the nation cannot be achieved if corruption, greed, nepotism, religious and tribal sentiments prevail over national, state and community interests.
NDII challenges every individual in leadership position in the nation to emulate His Excellency: Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in terms of fiscal responsibility. “Our honest opinion”
As always, Remain Blessed,
Dr. Chukwuma O. Nwaonicha.
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