When the news came through that the Nigerian law-makers had rejected the constitutional amendment aimed at allowing President Olusegun Obasanjo and other executives to seek a third term in office, Nigerians across the world rejoiced and jubilated. Regardless of Obasanjo’s achievements or failures, many people saw the third-term bid as an attempt to breach the contract between the elected and electors, a violation of the rules of engagement by the executives. Even those of us who had identified and defended some of the present administration’s accomplishments feared that the third-term agenda risked relegating Obasanjo to being merely one of those Third World rulers who cling to power and simply refuse to go. Many more of us were anxious for Nigeria. The concern was that, far from being perceived as a growing democracy, Nigeria risked being definitely categorised as a “banana republic” run according to the whim of a small self-serving monetarily wealthy, but morally famished and intellectually lacking, corrupt clique. With the abortion of the third-term plot, Nigeria — through its media, its civil society at large and its law-makers — has shown that it still has some of the decorum and self-respect necessary for a prosperous, dignified future. Or, as a senior London, City-based lawyer put it to me, “This shows there is still hope.”

As one might expect, what has followed has been a rush and search for candidates and nominations but the news on these activities has not excited us. Rather, the quest for new leaders in the country has generated nothing but monolithic, mind-numbing petty news unworthy of a great country like Nigeria. The same people, the same party, the same lack of ideas — all are moving the same conflicts towards a pettier and duller Nigeria. Reactions have been understandable apathy, cynicism and scepticism among the people. The general comment amongst Nigerians all over the world seems to be, “Here they go again… No point in trying… Only God can help us… I have given up.” All these reactions become even more worrying when even those who (by virtue of their age, achievements and experience) should be automatically politically, or at least socially, engaged are engulfed by apathy.

To all those who care about the future of Nigeria, I bring good tidings. Something exciting has happened again in Nigeria. Pat Utomi has declared his intention to contest next year's presidential polls. Most people reading here will certainly know who Pat Utomi is. For the uninitiated, Utomi is — among many other things — a university professor, founder of the Centre for Values In Leadership, chairman of the Platinum Bank, director of the Centre for Applied Economics and Lagos Business School, was CEO of Volkswagen, Nigeria.

In his declaration to contest for the highest public office in Nigerian politics, Utomi identified the fast-developing economies of the so-called Asian Tigers as his economic models for emulation. We will urge and guide him to look towards the West for models in liberty and democracy, but this will come later. Utomi’s main vision for Nigeria can be safely summed up as creating jobs and wealth and to transform the country from a state of underdevelopment to a fast-developing country. To achieve these goals, Pat Utomi has rightly identified natural allies for this project in the youths, organised labour and the middle class. To this list I will include all men and women of goodwill and quickly add here that, for anybody who fits into these categories, not supporting Utomi’s bid can only be put down to omissions due to social pathologies such as political myopia or total blindness to self-interest or pure masochism and proclivity for self-destruction

Those who know Pat Utomi will describe him as a political and economically sound, cultured, informed, motivational and charismatic leader in tune with the Nigeria of today. This is certainly more true of Utomi than for most other aspiring candidates, and this is good for the many Nigerians who need inspiration and charisma. We have been on the block too long to believe in, and to invest our emotions in, a superhero for Nigeria; we have been disappointed too many times to believe in a political messiah; we are too conscious of the magnitude of Nigeria’s problems to rely on charisma. Our support for Utomi’s bid is rational and pragmatic. It goes beyond the man himself. For us, the Utomi bid is an embodiment of ideas, strategies and tactics that can turn Nigeria into free, prosperous and safe country where people from any background can realistically dream, strive and achieve.

For all those interested in the progress of Nigeria, the advantages of supporting Utomi’s bid are many — they are concrete, immediate and measurable. In this forum, the advantages and effects of the Utomi bid will be grouped in two phases.

The first phase is that of the candidacy, and this period will be from now till some time in 2007 just before elections take place. In this period, the main advantages of the Utomi bid will include a raise in the level of the Nigerian political debate, a modernisation of the rules of engagement, appearance and intervention of fresh dynamic ideas and people in the political arena. Pat Utomi’s campaign and canvassing, it is hoped, will be all about programmes, ideas, ideals and policies. Utomi has no recent political baggage to justify or defend. He is not known as anybody’s boy or godfather. All we will have to discuss with him will be Nigeria’s business. Citizens and journalists will be asking what plans an eventual Utomi administration has in stock for Nigeria. They will want to know how these plans will be achieved, and the man will be seen giving answers to these questions. It will then become inevitable for other aspiring contestants and candidates to be faced with the same questions. Even when they leave home with the intention of flaunting their Babariga, and their wives’ and mistresses’ headgear, Nigerian citizens and journalists will now expect them — and even force them, if necessary — to think and talk about Nigeria’s business in a reasonable and fruitful manner. Due to the Utomi effect, everybody aspiring to rule Nigeria will have to talk in detail, and clearly, about inflation, unemployment, tax, interest rates, infrastructure, education, investment, GNP, etc. Nigerians are creative people and the political class has a remarkable capacity for adaptation and transformation. Many will copy Utomi’s ideas, get people to prepare speeches aping or reacting to Utomi’s initiative. Although these might appear to be personally unfair to Pat Utomi because he will not be able to copyright his ideas, it will be great for Nigeria.

It will confirm our theory that Utomi’s bid is an asset for the whole of Nigeria and, as such, everybody will benefit from it — even those who will not vote for him. In phase one, anybody who has the interests of Nigeria at heart should support Utomi’s bid. I am appealing for tactical support here. Regardless of our voting intention or pattern, all those who care about the future of Nigeria will have to treasure this asset. We will need to support his bid, make sure it gets the right relevance, and commit and engage ourselves to make sure Utomi is perceived as a credible candidate. The media and everyone that cares for Nigeria will be useful in making sure that (with all due respect to them) Utomi’s bid does not end up like Tunji Braithwaite, M. D. Yusuf or Chris Okotie’s attempts. The second phase of Utomi’s bid will be fully discussed in a later stage. For now, let us just note that it will start from the voting and last till the post-election period.

In this first phase, my invitation to all men and women who care about the future of Nigeria is to do everything we can to treasure Utomi’s bid. We have to make sure that he becomes a prime candidate in the 2007 race. Let us talk about the Utomi bid, write about it, tell people about it, and do everything in our means to make sure that this precious asset we have in our hands is not wasted.

anthonykila@email.com

Anthony A. Kila is Director of Studies at the European School UK and a Business Consultant in the City of London.

Robot  # 1 | 03.07.2006 22:59

...Read the full article.

omoeko  # 2 | 03.07.2006 23:41

Yes o! Utomi is fit for the job.

gwobezentashi  # 3 | 04.07.2006 00:42

Those who know Pat Utomi will describe him as a political and economically sound, cultured, informed, motivational and charismatic leader in tune with the Nigeria of today I am sure we have heard this said of Atiku, IBB, Buhari, Kalu, Odili, Marwa etc (even Chris Uba sef) by their cheerleaders of course. Seems to me that Pat Utomi's candidacy suffers from too much elitist hype and he must remember that he needs to connect with a vast majority of voters who are poor and uneducated and lack MBAs. Meanwhile, whatever happened to VON? Aluta! Gwobezentashi

Anthony A Kila  # 4 | 04.07.2006 04:23

Thank you for taking the time to read the article. In the paragraph that caught your attention you forgot to include: "We have been on the block too long to believe in, and to invest our emotions in, a superhero for Nigeria; we have been disappointed too many times to believe in a political messiah; we are too conscious of the magnitude of Nigeria’s problems to rely on charisma. Our support for Utomi’s bid is rational and pragmatic. It goes beyond the man himself” As I have tried to point out the article, we are in what I have defined as phase one. It is a tactical phase. The support for the Utomi’ bid is here aimed at raising the standard of the political debate, making it less trivial and more exciting. If you feel the “candidacy suffers from too much elitist hype” and think “he must remember that he needs to connect with a vast majority of voters who are poor and uneducated and lack MBAs” then you must join us, write about it, talk about and help to connect it to that vast majority. I hope this helps. For any further questions or suggestions please feel free to get in touch with me. Write to anthonykila@email.com Regards Anthony A. Kila

Abraxas  # 5 | 04.07.2006 06:29

Hi, Anthony A. Kila, (PhD)! In line with my declared policy of absolute zero tolerance for official praise-singing, ego massaging, hosanna-yelling, and personality-centred partisan political arsehole licking in any guise, in cyberspace, especially in the Nigerian Village Square, I am very much constrained to inform you that this piece has transgressed the boundaries of acceptable image laundering, and as such must be summarily nipped in the bud with out further delay. For your information and general enlightenment, the very premise of your article is perfectly OK by any standard of content analysis: i.e. that the presence of cerebral contestants in the 2007 elections could, by induction, radically raise the quality of electioneering to the level of a much-desired issues-centred affair, rather than the usual money-bags-centred, four-yearly circus shows that Nigerians call elections, for want of a better word. However, when you reduce your presentation to a virtual image laundering project on behalf of an individual (in this case, Professor Pat Utomi), you have, even if inadvertently, crossed a non-negotiable line of no compromise, and so, must be stopped. Consequently, I would appreciate if you proceed, with immediate effect, on VOLUNTARY excommunication from the Nigerian Village Square for just 15 (fifteen) lunar months only, as reprimand for a first time offender. I would also appreciate your willingness to take correction in good faith, and to proceed on self-exile accordingly, without further delay. Once more, let me appeal to you to please desist completely from all manner of official praise-singing, ego massaging, narcissistic bull$hitting, hosanna-yelling, and personality-centred partisan political arsehole hair licking whenever you are in cyberspace, particularly when you are in the Square. Thank you very, very much. We all look forward to hearing from you again (in the Nigerian Village Square) late in the third quarter of 2007, GOD willing. Muchas gracias.

Fjord  # 6 | 04.07.2006 07:50

Pat Utomi's intention is sure a gush of fresh air. Steps, even baby steps, are welcome. There'll be problems, sure, but to the extent that your article suggests that the bid be supported (irrespective of anyone's favourite), you're right on the money. Your concern - that the candidacy may go the way of other failed candidates - is a real possibility and reiterates the need to support Pat Utomi's candidacy, at least in principle. The question has been asked: what happened to VON? And, while we're at that, a small matter: Of course, this article is about Pat Utomi's candidacy, but, the byline reads "Anthony A. Kila is Director of Studies at the European School UK and a Business Consultant in the City of London.". I'm interested in the "Director of Studies at the European School UK" part. Which European School? What's the address of the European School of which you're the director of studies? Or, could this have been a typo (a missing thing between "European" and "School", the printer's devil - to coin an expression - or sth)? A mistake may have been made on your part or mine, or the printer's part... will you simply set this straight? Thanks. I'm now slightly inclined to ask about the "Ph.D", but we all know LibDems 've got lots PhDs. Pls set this delicate matter straight, Sir. Thanks. .

Bayo  # 7 | 04.07.2006 08:25

The first mistake here is the attempt of the writer to impress readers with a bogus academic title. It's quite funny and childish that, instead of a nice articulation, some internet commentators feel the only way they can attract attention and convince readers is by flaunting some "big" qualifications. That used to be the style in those days at nigeriaworld.com where so many "PhD" holders failed woefully to write in logical sequence...not to talk of convincing readers. Secondly, the writer of this article went on with "we shall do this...we shall do that..." who, for Christ sake are the "we"? Did he think he could be both objective and partisan at the same time? Instead of the funny affiliation about a spurious European school, he would have done better to state that he was writing on behalf of say, "Committe of Friends" or "Elites for Utomi" etc. And finally, Utomi is wasting his time! He is a theoretician...not a pragmatist. All he is good at doing is make noise on the pages of newspaper. He has no public admin antecedents to flaunt. What has he got to show for the confidence reposed in him at VON? All he has to show for the stint are Lagos Business School, bank chairmanship and shares/stocks in many companies...in the meantime, VON suck dry.

Abraxas  # 8 | 04.07.2006 09:16

Hi, Administrator (NVS)! I believe you should set the pace, and cordially invite political office seekers (e.g. presidential, gubernatorial, senatorial candidates) to come to the Square and objectively trash out issues of concern to Nigerians, head-on, with Villagers bombarding such candidates with suitably targeted queries: more or less, in line with the format of the on-going Chinua Achebe Foundation Interviews in cyberspace. Specifically, I am canvassing for the Nigerian Village Square to DELIBERATELY provoke ISSUES-CENTRED deliberations and debates with prospective political players at all levels in Nigeria (local, state, or federal), so as to help create a level playing ground, in advance of the 2007 elections in Nigeria. The ugly scenario whereby His Excellency General Olusegun (Baba 3rd Term) Obasanjo had the nerve to snub an invitation to participate in a televised debate, in 1999, with his fellow presidential contestant (Chief Olu Falae) should NEVER AGAIN be allowed to repeat itself. Please ensure. Thank you very much, ojare. Muchas gracias.

admin  # 9 | 04.07.2006 09:37

=Abraxas>Hi, Administrator (NVS)! I believe you should set the pace, and cordially invite political office seekers (e.g. presidential, gubernatorial, senatorial candidates) to come to the Square and objectively trash out issues of concern to Nigerians, head-on, with Villagers bombarding such candidates with suitably targeted queries: more or less, in line with the format of the on-going Chinua Achebe Foundation Interviews in cyberspace. Specifically, I am canvassing for the Nigerian Village Square to DELIBERATELY provoke ISSUES-CENTRED deliberations and debates with prospective political players at all levels in Nigeria (local, state, or federal), so as to help create a level playing ground, in advance of the 2007 elections in Nigeria. Abraxas, That's EXACTLY what we are setting out to do. We've opened up threads where you can ask Candidates every question you want, and then have our representative pose those questions man-to-man. Candidate #1... Candidate #2... Please add your thoughts to those threads. We'll be with Yerima and Utomi this week. Hope this helps

Palamedes  # 10 | 04.07.2006 10:10

The other day, someone try to flog us King Atiku - a dead horse, if you ask me, and look, here comes another one trying to flog us a Professor Utomi, Chairman of the Platinum Bank, Director of the Centre for Applied Economics and Lagos Business School, Former CEO of Volkswagen, Nigeria, Founder of the Centre for Values In Leadership. This bloke must be walking with a hunch with all these medals bearing down heavily in his chest pocket. I only know of him watching his programme on the telly, and on every occasion that I managed to endure his programme, I go away asking myself, why he is so incapable of controlling his guests, as they seem to turn the programme to a street market. I notice as you said that: "Utomi bid will include a raise in the level of the Nigerian political debate". Does that mean no more shouting, and pretentiousness on his programmes? Good to hear this. But then, look at this: ...not supporting Utomi’s bid can only be put down to omissions due to social pathologies such as political myopia or total blindness to self-interest or pure masochism and proclivity for self-destruction. Haba haba haba. What could be more quintessential in a Nigerian discourse than this assertion i.e. if you don't agree with me then you are (mad and) a fool. I came to read about policies but aside from the promises to emulate Asian Tigers and the West, all we get is another promise to talk: ...in detail, and clearly, about inflation, unemployment, tax, interest rates, infrastructure, education, investment, GNP, etc. When? This is the time to scrutinize all potential candidates but all we get are beauty products peddlers, makeup artist, and minders of candidates. Utomi would be taking a fatal step to emulate the Asian Tigers economies without clear analysis of the cultural, economy, technological, social and environmental needs and differences between Nigeria and the Asian economies. The most important thing is the formulation of a policy i.e., what is to be done before the how it is to be done. The "how" will involve evaluating the various successful economy models that best meet the policy objectives; next is to localize, adapt or refine the model for an exact local fit. Alternatively, invent a new model – a hundred percent local solution. Promising to emulate the Asian Tiger economies is not a policy: it is deciding the solution before the problem – a frequent causes for failures of projects in Nigeria. If I were allowed one question, it would be this: Could you give us detail answer to how Utomi intends to reduce unemployment, and by what amount, in his first two years in office?

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