It is debated in intellectual circles that the current group of leaders has also failed to start. If that is true, could we not start again? If you were given great land mass, lots of sunshine lots of disparate people groups, plenty of mineral resources to work with, what would you do? Naturally, you would start with a plan; get some Think Tanks going in strategic planning. You would have long term plans, medium term and short term plans. The Think Tanks would have to be paid to do their job; you may call them Consultants if you please. I mean real brains, not political jobbers.

Project Management

This is where all the smart people come together to nurse a project to fruition. They would look at the mess the illiterate and greedy power brokers have made and make an adjustment here, a cut there; negotiate there and draft certain language to cure certain management flaws while preventing other hemorrhaging. These managers would be responsible for smoothing the nerves, massaging the bloated egos of ignorant old men and amputating cancerous limbs. These may have to recommend some prison term to put some adult delinquents where they truly belong.

Government

In a democracy, government is run by laws: that is why the USA and most western democracies are run by lawyers. You need to involve the lawyers back to back because not only do the lawyers provide the language of legislation, as professionals, they are trained and have the innate ability to keep within the ambit of the law in political maneuvers, much as you may hate the rhetoric they add to the debate. The give and take of political lobby too, is better handled by professionals used to negotiating diverse contractual terms and political nuances. Ghana Must Go crudities belong to the stone age of party politics and must be buried in the spirit of the anti-corruption era. Political favors can still be dispensed in a legal and civilized manner of the 21^st century without resorting to open bribery in government lobby.

A New Deal for Nigeria ?

President Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo (OBJ) like Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) during the 1932 electoral campaign in America , emphasized the “common man“theme. OBJ had six years ago given such hope:

“ Government officials became progressively indifferent to propriety of conduct and showed little commitment to promoting the general welfare of the people and the public good. Government and all its agencies became thoroughly corrupt and reckless. Members of the public had to bribe their way through in ministries and parastatals to get attention and one government agency had to bribe another government agency to obtain the release of their statutory allocation of funds.

The impact of official corruption is so rampant and has earned Nigeria a very bad image at home and abroad. Besides, it has distorted and retrogressed development.

Our infrastructures - NEPA, NITEL, Roads, Railways, Education, Housing and other Social Services were allowed to decay and collapse. Our country has thus been through one of its darkest periods.“ [1]

Great words, the question is, six years and counting, have we fared better besides articulating the policy objectives? Would any Nigerian in the village say he/she has been impacted positively by this new regime?

On the other hand, FDR in 1932 stirred the spirit of America and enterprise with these words:

“ This is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly, nor need we shrink from honestly facing the condition of our country today. This great nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper.

So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself – nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance…� [2]

As an aside, FDR came to power in 1932 during the “Great Depression� in the USA after the stock market crash of 1929. Because FDR knew how to work a democracy, with the aid of his “Brain Trust� and being a lawyer himself, the first 100 days were full of legislative activity to get legal backing for his political rhetoric. [3] Fifteen major emergency Acts were passed by congress within the first 100 days, without any scandal. Every American then saw and felt the results of his activity. The USA still enjoys the benefits of FDR’s government initiative. Government is still about results.

Special Projects, Roads and Mass Transit

The best time to exercise power is a time of emergency when the people are despondent and thus in need of action, any action. Time for an inspired leadership to seize the moment and perform. The time to act could not be better than NOW. The time of massive unemployment is also the best time to build; to put the people to work to help build certain infrastructure like roads and clean the cities of dirt. If mass transit train tracks were planned now, they could easily be laid cheaper, while putting the unemployed to work. A massive design of mass transit railway system crisscrossing Nigeria that would work would be an attractive project for multilateral agencies and foreign investors to invest in if the country is truly serious about progress.

Electricity or other sources of Energy

In spite of the colossal amount sank into electricity projects that we have read about, the report of those who have traveled Nigeria recently is that the bulbs are not staying on. If electricity is taken to the villages, the urban cities with all of its squalor would be less attractive to the better organized rural folk. Much may be yet at the planning stage, but if the power generation contracts are given to cronies and political jobbers instead of men with a track record of honesty and concrete deliverables in the sector, we shall continue to have the same story of abandoned projects when OBJ leaves office.

Courts and Judiciary

All of the courtrooms of Nigeria can and should not only be electrified whatever that may cost, but the recording must also be enhanced to electronic and computerized transcripts if the nation is serious about expeditious dispensation of justice. If there is an electronic recording of proceeding in every court, it would be easier to get transcripts, harder to manipulate justice and faster to give rulings and to also finish the appeal process in a timely manner. This can be done, if we have the men with the will to do so. This will be a great boost to the rule of law; and there would be much help from our strategic partners if we show some willingness to improve in this area to expedite the trial of all the corrupt accused parties in Nigeria .

Critical Attitude

Nigerians are critical but not cynics. They keep hope alive and can grant any government many chances. But Nigerians are not fooled anymore by flowery speeches; having experienced the fast-track reading speeches of IBB and Abacha. The intellectuals of the Diaspora are even hostile and impatient with political grandstanding. With the internet, anonymous writing has expressed much pent-up anger at thieving ‘leaders’. The government officials currently in the USA would do well to listen to all and in appropriate instances reply as servants of the people rather than the overlords the military were made out to be. The policy makers must listen. For instance, Nigeria does not begin and end in Lagos and Abuja . What effect has the anti-poverty policies on the village farmers? How is unemployment being tackled?

We welcome the genuine leaders who have set an agenda of performance to the USA . Nnoo, Kaabo, Maraba.

[1] Inaugural speech, President Olusegun Obasanjo following his swearing-in as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on May 29, 1999 . as found at http://nigeriaworld.com/feature/speech/inaugural.html

[2] Lawson, Don FDR’s New Deal 1979 Crewell New York

[3] Ibid p.43

Robot  Villager

# 1 It is debated in intellectual circles that the current group of leaders has also failed to start. If that is true, could we not start again? If you were given great land mass, lots of sunshine lots of disparate people groups, plenty of mineral resources to work with, what would yo...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 14.11.2005 23:58

I Love Nigeria  Villager

# 2 Tersa-Lisa Esq. This is a must read for anyone who cares about Nigeria and outcomes of public policies.... and out national progress etc ..... But if the power generation contracts are given to cronies and political jobbers instead of men with a track record of honesty and concrete deliverables in the sector, we shall continue to have the same story of abandoned projects when OBJ leaves office. contracts have been awarded to reputable company, General Electric or GE of the United States... for the building of major power stations in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria and also, on Mambilla Plateau in Adamawa state of Nigeria Secondly, It saddens me to inform you, that there are too many cynics, pessimists and even fatalists among Nigerians these days.... the arnarchists, the advocates of disintegration and those who want us to send Biafra curreny through Western Union and MoneyGram to our relatives in Nigeria. Expectation fatigue? Perhaps. But it is easier these days to convince a Christian to become a Muslim, than it is, to convince some Nigerians that Nigeria is not beyond redemption! Meeting Minister Rufai, Minister Ezekwesili, Mallam Nuhu "WMD" Ribadu of EFCC, meeting Finance Minister Okonjo-Iweala, meeting Engr. Bello of NIPC... meeting all these capable Nigerian officials with their passion, dedication and committment to Nigeria's common good clearly establishes beyond doubt that Nigeria is NOW on the right track. I must say, that a new dawn has broken in Nigeria! It is a new day in Nigeria and NIGERIA IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS! Most sincerely, Paul I. Adujie New York, United States Posted by I Love Nigeria| 15.11.2005 01:03

I Love Nigeria  Villager

# 3 Some Nigerians are quick to forget, as they gloss over the fact that our public infrastructures were neglected and abandonned for decades.... as complete decadence pervaded our country's landscapes! No power plants were built or refurbished and maintained for decades! There was complete and criminal neglect of Nigeria's engine room. Those bad habits have now been broken! REFORMS REFORMS REFORMS.... EFFECTIVE REFORMS. It is a new day in Nigeria... You do better believe it! Posted by I Love Nigeria| 15.11.2005 01:12

Unregistered

# 4 We all know Its a gradual process, but i am beginning to think Paul I. Adujie is a paid government operative. How much does OBJ pay u? STOP NAME DROPING and get a life. Posted by Unregistered| 15.11.2005 08:23

Unregistered

# 5 Perhaps you should remind your august visitors that the government needs to lead by example. It needs to obey the laws of Nigeria otherwise it will plunge us into anarchy. No matter how well intentioned its motives, the government must obey the law which says among others that it cannot spend money before it is appropriated. Please ask them if this government has paid the S6bn to the Paris Club and if so on whose authority? Posted by Unregistered| 15.11.2005 09:34

Palamedes

# 6 Here are a few observations and additions of my own set in motion by this article. On Lawyers in Politics Of course, there should be lawyers in politics - it is a free world - but I disagree with the idea of encouraging yet more lawyers into administration. On the contrary, there should be fewer lawyers in the administrative arm of government because lawyers – the “jail or free em” brigade - are not trained in the rigorous problem solving skills and methods of the science and business administration vocations. When confronted with a problem situation, the lawyer’s first, second and third instinct is to enact laws to jail someone; and if that fails to solve the problem, more of the same. Lawyers would be better of in the legislative arm and courts. More women should be encouraged to enter politics. It is nauseating to see wives of state governors handing out cheques – they have no business handling public funds. These women should stop behaving like elected public officials. If they like their husband’s job, then they should stand for election and get themselves elected. Fewer lawyers but more women, professional managers and scientist? Yes please! This is not an ant-lawyer sentiment – who knows, I might even be one. On Alternative Energies The government should discourage the use of noisy generators by providing subsidies to homes, schools et cetera to install solar roof. A couple of wind mills would be adequate to provide most Nigerian villages with energy. The national supply could then serve as backup to the federated energy sources. Further, this could start a whole set of local industries which would create jobs for Nigerians, and I hope not for importers of… On the Nigeria People A Ghanaian friend in 80s once said to me that it would be impossible to do a Rawlings in Nigeria as Nigerians would not tolerate such nonsense, and I agreed with him then but following Abacha and IBB, what can I say? There is a high level of cynicism among the Nigerian people: how can a people live through the period of IBB and Abacha (and to extent, the OBJ government) and not be cynical? Palamedes Posted by Palamedes| 16.11.2005 07:45

ulalisa

# 7 Palamedes, Of Lawyers. I respect your opinion and I suspect that you are a lawyer too which makes my job easier. The mob succeeded in America because they always had their 'consigliere', their lawyer in every meeting. Lawyers by training are prepared to trouble-shoot. To look out for loopholes, to negotiate and to predict with a view to averting real messes like the "Ghana Must Go" episodes on the house floor. Lawyers are all supposed to be experts at constitutional law as well as various other fieilds that they choose to specialize in. If petroleum, then Petroleum law; if business; Business Law; if administration; then Administrative law; you get my drift. It is not my view that govt should have as a requirement a law degree to serve. But think for a minute, whenever there is a disagreement by parties, where does everyone run to seek counsel? Would a smart lawyer not plug the loopholes? A democracy is run by the Rule of LAW not ADMINISTRATORS. Would the lawyers not aid the flow? I do not mean the "charge and bail" kind. I also did not make the point that only lawyers should be in government. An example in context is the fact that there were no appropriation bills for the expenditure regarding the National Reform Conference; none also for the Paris Club payment. A good lobby lawyer may have helped the confirmation process for ministers instead of the Bribery galore. Whether in the Senate, House, Courts of Aso Rock, lawyers by temperament and training are better prepared for service. This does not preclude non-lawyers from excelling. I know that if we give Ngozi tips and polish her rough edges a bit and put her in Aso Rock, she would perform brilliantly, but she still would need a good counsel by her side all the time. Posted by ulalisa| 16.11.2005 09:49

Palamedes

# 8 A fine ode to the Law profession, I disagree but I respect your opinion – I suppose that makes us even. Palamedes Posted by Palamedes| 16.11.2005 10:17

Unregistered

# 9 Someone on these pages says that our country is now open for business. Read this story carried on the pages of New Age newspaper of 16 November and marvel at the arrogance and self importance of our supposed "public servants". What an advertisement for an investment haven? Shame they could not name and shame the bugger. Over to you Mr President. Surely this is a sackable offence with the full compliments of a fiery TV performance! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Minister holds aircraft hostage in Lagos •Delays Chanchangi flight over 1st class tickets •Airline may fly only economy class henceforth By TONY AKOWE, Kaduna The Management of Chanchangi Airline may abolish first class tickets in the airline's fleet following the reported delay of one of its flights to Abuja on Monday by a serving minister. The minister was said to have held the aircraft hostage following his inability to obtain a first class ticket for himself and some of his aides. He was said to have insisted that he must be given six tickets failure of which the Abuja bound flight scheduled for take off at 9.30am was delayed in Lagos for about 40 minutes on the orders of the minister because he could not get six first class seats for himself and five of his aides. Sources said that the minister who arrived the Murtala Mohammed Airport when the aircraft was almost filled up with passengers wanted six first class seats but was told by the airline officials that only one of such seats was still available. It was said that when all entreaties by the minister to get the airline officials reallocate some of the first class seats earlier given to other customers to both himself and his entourage failed, he reportedly directed the Airport Commandant and the Control Tower not to allow the aircraft take off. However, NewAge learnt that after the aircraft was delayed for 40 minutes amid protestations by passengers, the pilot threatened to shut off the engines of the aircraft on the tarmac to block other aircraft from taking off or landing, arguing that as far as he was concerned, the minister was not more important that his other passengers. It was at this point that the aircraft was allowed to take off to the acclamation of the passengers. In reaction to the incident, the management of the airline may have resolved to abolish first class tickets stating that all seats would be allocated on a first come, first serve basis. "Henceforth, there will be no preferential treatment. First class tickets used to be N2000 higher than other seats. Anybody, especially government officials who want to use first seats must now notify us 24 hours before the scheduled flight, otherwise, such request will not be granted; a top official of the airline told NewAge. The official who requested anonymity said that a formal announcement on the matter would soon be issued, but stressed that the Chairman and Chief Executive of the airline, Alhaji Ahmadu Chanchangi had already approved the directive. Posted by Unregistered| 16.11.2005 13:57