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TAKING A STAND
Dr. UTOMI: PLACING PRINCIPLES OVER POLITICS
Abdulmumin Yinka Ajia
In the course of its aspiration to greatness, a nation must examine thoroughly some fundamental notions which are often taken for granted. We have to realize that the take off point for the ultimate transformation of any society for the better lies in the restoration of its thinking potentials; this is what Dr Pat Utomi represents.
The crisis in Nigeria today is traceable to the collapse or denigration of credible leadership and the consequent decay of social infrastructure. This also includes the polarization of values and a political climate that did not give equal participation to its citizenry, this gave rise to a state of chaos and violence by disgruntled growing population that are increasingly aware of their rights everyday.
The decision to be part of the history making Utomi presidential campaign was not a difficult one. Without a doubt, this is one candidate that is unencumbered with the shenanigans of the past, he is not beholden to any special interest and more importantly, he understands the Nigerian malaise.
As new generation political thinkers, this is one candidate that personifies most if not all that we have been agitating for. Also we are painfully aware that in order for us to see the Nigeria of our dreams, we have to be prepared to move away from our comfort zones. Particularly, our religious, ethnic and geographic affiliations.
So far the bulk of the support that Dr. Utomi enjoys in North America is largely based on his merit not because 1. He is a southerner 2. He is from the Niger delta in particular or 3. He is a Christian. All these attributes as noble as they are, will not necessarily sell him to many of us from different backgrounds.
But what stands him out is that he is not only talking about the problems, he is infact coming up with ideas on how to solve them. Instead of repeating the usual Nigerian political mantra "I will fix education, healthcare and provide employment". This is one candidate that's actually laying out an agenda and the ways and means to transform rhetoric into reality. Utomi's legendary entrepreneurial acumen is proof that unlike many a Nigerian politician, this university teacher turned politician will not be a drain on the nation's treasury.
Recently on a conference call, the candidate made a very important observation; he opined that past Nigerian leaders have always tried to grapple with issues they barely understood. He went further to argue that you cannot ask a man to give what he clearly does not have. It does not necessarily make him a bad man, he just doesn't get it. So following this thought process, we have a vibrant nation that has unfortunately been led by men who are mostly clueless! By understanding this dilemma, Dr. Utomi has certainly brought a fresh perspective to the leadership vacuum in Nigeria.
On education, hear Dr. Utomi, "our children must receive functional education that will enable them achieve their full potentials. Human capital development is a promise we must keep".
I don't know about you but as for me this is one candidate that understands the stakes. If you care about the current high rate of unemployment, homicides, erratic energy supply, insecurity, abysmal health system and the many other woes plaguing the Nigerian state, then you ought to take a closer look at Dr. Patrick Utomi. No one is promising El Dorado here, but I can assure you this, if you support Dr. Utomi for the presidency, you will have a listening ear in Aso rock. One that will respect the constitution and work diligently for the Nigerian people.
As Dr. Utomi traveled across the United States, the recurring question has been that he is a good candidate but would the entrenched interests let him assume the mandate even if elected by the Nigerian people. My answer to this is that only if you (the Nigerian people) let them. No one is feigning naivety here, no one is saying the task to take back our country will be an easy one but we are surely saying with your support, it is absolutely possible.
We at the Utomi political action committee are humbled by the experience in Kano in 2003. We salute the courage and the determination of the people of Kano in the manner they voted and protected their vote. The point here is that when a people have had it up to their neck, they have the ability and they will demand a change.
A quick look at the Utomi policy thrusts will give a discerning mind a very clear picture of the new direction we hope to take the nation. "The impact of an Utomi administration can be seen by viewing the government's plan as a holistic web of interlinked activities. An Utomi administration will build upon the gains of the UBE program to provide quality public education to all Nigerian children up to the secondary school level. On power and energy, the focus is two fold, increasing base load and introducing healthy competition. On national security, the focus is equally two fold, decentralizing the police force with greater state and local participation while simultaneously increasing the number of police officers on the streets. Dr. Utomi believes that a decentralized, retrained, better led, well paid and motivated police force will be what is required to address issues of law and order".
Contract with the Diaspora
Using the approach that worked well in china and India, where the Diaspora led the economic resurgence, an Utomi government would in the same vein engage the Nigerian Diaspora to use their acquired expertise and economic leverage to lead the Nigerian renaissance. It is hoped that many Nigerians in the Diaspora will be part of the Utomi infrastructural development program.
Using a four-year infrastructural development program, the problem of unemployment will be tackled head on. The administration plans to develop industrial parks in all the six strategic zones of the country.
On agriculture, an extensive program of agricultural reform will be pursued. The goal is to return Nigeria to the status of a food exporting country within 5 years. The strategy would involve the expansion of research and the availability of lines of credit to farmers through public-private joint venture financing institutions.
So if you believe that politics should never be above principle, then your candidate for Aso rock ought to be Dr. Patrick Utomi. If you are still in doubt about the issues at stake, let me give you a quick run down of the top indicators of internal conflict and state collapse and why Dr. Utomi is providentially placed to arrest our drift to Somalia.
Pressures deriving from high population density relative to food supply and other life sustaining resources.
History of aggrieved communal groups based on recent or past injustices which could date back to decades (think Niger delta).
Chronic and sustained human flight; brain drain of professionals and intellectuals (think Babangida's SAP).
Group based impoverishment as measured by poverty levels, infant mortality rates, education levels etc.
Massive and endemic corruption or profiteering by ruling elites i.e. Alami, Dariye and Fayose et al
Widespread abuse of legal, political and social rights, including those of individuals, groups or institutions i.e. harassment of the press (A.I.T and others) politicization of the judiciary (the Oyo gubernatorial debacle), internal use of military for political ends (Zaki Biam and Odi), public repression of political opponents and the list is endless.
If we all agree that the stakes are indeed high, then we should together work towards the Nigeria of our dreams. By supporting the candidature of Dr. Patrick Okedinachi Utomi, you will be investing in the future of a prosperous and a more hopeful Nigeria.
Like the candidate himself said, "the task before us is by no means an easy one. In the immediate future we are faced with the task of establishing, fully funding and staffing campaign offices in all state capitals in Nigeria. For this and many other tasks, we will need your financial support. This campaign will remain a mass movement and it is my hope that with your support, we will come into office beholden to all Nigerians rather than to a few private interest".
If you want to be part of this history making campaign either as a volunteer or to make financial contribution, you can contact the restoration group-Utomi political action committee at;
IN NIGERIA
Make checks payable to
Restoration Group
1st Floor, Block A, Plot 2105 Herbert Macaulay,
Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, Nigeria
Phone: 01- 461 4085, 0802 703 6110,
0805 412 1154, 0806 2852 693
mail@restorenigeria.org www.restorenigeria.org
UNITED STATES
Make checks payable to
Utomi-Political Action Committee
P.O. Box 12, Columbia, MD 21045
Phone: +1 347 886 6412
upac@patutomi2007.com www.PatUtomi2007.com
ANYWHERE
Log on to www.paypal.com
Create an account
Enter donation amount
Send to upac@patutomi2007.com
For More Info
WEB: www.PatUtomi2007.com
WEB: www.RestoreNigeria.com
EMAIL: upac@patutomi2007.com
In the weeks and months ahead, I would enjoin the general public to please feel free to send me their ideas and suggestions. I believe that together we will make history in Nigeria.
Abdulmumin Yinka Ajia is the Chairman- (Media) Utomi political action committee North America.
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Posted by Robot| 11.11.2006 07:42