100 CONCERNED NIGERIANS ABROAD?

By Paul I. Adujie

Lawcareer2007@aol.com

New York, United States

Upon reading the comments by the self-styled, one hundred concerned Nigerians abroad, I was torn between agony and bemusement or even pity. And whether we cried or laughed, as we read the two petitions that were apparently directed at the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, the Nigerian Labor Congress, NLC, directed at long-suffering Nigerians and to god, written by some Diaspora Nigerians and their American friends at least one thing was clear

Nigeria is deprived through Brain Drain, this is quite unsettling for all of us involved.

Unsettling state of affairs does exists! And depending on where you sit, and of course stand, on issues Nigerian, you would advocate a resolution, or other. These 100 concerned Nigerians abroad, are demanding a blanket rejection or cancellation of the just concluded general elections in Nigeria, as they implore the Nigeria Labor Congress, NLC and the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA and all of civil society to resist perceived electoral irregularities. No way! I do say. No way, Nigeria does not need a constitutional crises!

Well, they have rights to associate, assemble and debate Nigeria’s elections outcome and furthermore to urge any action, so long as, such actions are not illegal. After all, debate, dissent and disagreements are essential elements of democracy. I am saddened by their seeming wholesale condemnation of Nigeria’s election by these Nigerians and their six American friends, comprised mostly of college professors, these Americans seemed to be making heavy-handed demand upon their government on how to relate to President Yar’Adua after the inaugurations. And what the US must demand and insist upon, or “compel” the Nigerian president do, as he takes office.

But I worry more about the Nigerians!

This list of 100 concerned Nigerians abroad is clearly a very impressive list. I wish that they were all serving Nigeria. From where I sit and stand on Nigeria, the impact on Nigeria, as a result of their departure from Nigeria, they are clear evidences of Brain Drain, the idea that Nigeria is deprived of all their talents, is frightening!

There are some on this list that are known partisans. Professor Bolaji Aluko of Maryland USA, for instance, is a known member of the Action Congress or AC, a political party, operated and funded by one Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of Potomac Maryland in the United States. Atiku, you may recall was a PDP topnotch member.

There is also Professor Isa Odidi, who paraded himself often as a presidential candidate, and chairman of the New Democrats political party. He lives in Canada, some of us are left wondering, whether he too, a neutral Nigerian abroad, who is just concerned? Or a member of the aggrieved band of election losers, such as Dr. Aluko of Atiku’s Action Congress and many others under some disguise or other?

Are these hundred persons political jobbers? Are they politicians in disguises? Are they acting on behalf of different political parties as a coalition, while pretending to be some band of neutral Concerned Nigerians abroad? Whatever their undeclared platforms and in whatever disguises, are there strange bedfellows in this 100 with conflicts of interest? Well, regardless, I like the list! There are important use to which it can be put!

Just look at the list of the petitioners! They certainly the crème de la crème of our society, any society! Lawyers, professors of chemical engineering, professors of mathematics, as Bolaji Aluko and Abba Gumel respectively are. I have met them, and convoked with them on matters Nigeria and in hot pursuit of Nigeria's national interests of which they are very passionate. These petitioners are Nigerians who have spent so many years contributing to the development of America and Canada instead of Nigeria! What a loss!

On that list of Nigerian petitioners, I see gains, losses and opportunities. A great numbers of these Nigerians went to colleges and universities in Nigeria for free completely or with heavily subsidized feedings and accommodations arranged by our government.

Some on that petitioners list arrived America, Europe and Canada with full scholarship at the expense of Nigeria. While a few others probably made their own efforts. But in all this, what debt do these petitioning Nigerians owe to Nigeria? In America, education is not cheap, by the time anyone is educated to professional or professorial level, such person would owe banks one hundred thousand dollars or more!

So what do these high caliber and high cadre of Nigerians owe Nigeria? Considering that a great number of them went to school completely for free or partially free or at subsidized rates and did so in Nigeria. What do these Nigerians owe Nigeria, fully or even in a partial sense, actually, you owe your society contributions regardless.

While it is the case that some Nigerians abroad actually got overseas with full scholarship at the expense of Nigeria, they have remained abroad after the completions of their education and training. They have in the process, corruptly enriched themselves at the expense of Nigeria. They have shamelessly forgotten their obligations to Nigeria.

Some of them do not even consider that they owe such obligations. So, what debt do they owe to Nigeria? And how are these persons different from those who corruptly enriched themselves as political office holders? It is stealing from Nigeria, only at a different level.

Shall we multiply one hundred thousand dollars by the one hundred concerned Nigerians on the petitioners list? Shall we compute the interests on these expenses by Nigeria for her run away citizens over the years? What are the moral and financial equivalents of these costs without benefits to Nigeria?

There are others on that list of course, who are hardscrabble self-made persons without Nigerian sponsorships in terms of full scholarships or subsidized education. They may have received no help or scholarships at all, but still, imagine what they could have done for Nigeria and what they could be doing for Nigeria? Consider incredible knowledge base, the immense exposure and limitless horizons of this list of petitioners! Imagine the endless possibilities?

There are gains and losses; In terms of gains and opportunities, yes! The list presents opportunities! The list is a resource, a database of Nigerian experts abroad, a partial list no doubt, but a good list nonetheless! These are legal experts, medical experts, chemical engineering experts, experts in mathematical computations and calculations.

These are Nigerian persons, brilliant and obsessed about Nigeria's living up to her full potentials in our life time. These are Nigerians with visions of Nigeria totally unlike how it is now. You may consider their current attitude crazy and outrageous for appearing to scandalize Nigeria yet again, loudly and in public.

You could be more generous and smilingly, prefer to see them as outrageous in the most visionary sense. I challenge them to move from and beyond easy rabble rousing and saber rattling of every government in Nigeria. They should move away from these ragtag and haphazard political hatchet jobs on behalf of some Nigerian politicians.

They should move progressively, to forming Think Tanks, Investment Clubs and Lobby Groups. Let them become powerful lobby groups such as the famous American Israel Political Action Committee or AIPAC which is known to wield a lot of power and influence over every American government on behalf of Israel, even when AIPAC do not necessarily approve of policies of every subsisting Israeli government.

Let these eminent Nigerians begin to use their high profiles and connections for Nigeria's benefits. Let them begin to act as connectors between Nigeria and the rest of the world's humanity. Let them not rise only when it is time to ridicule, lampoon, criticize, scandalize and embarrass Nigeria over the imperfect state of affairs in Nigeria.

Nigerians abroad can act as facilitators instead, even if they do not and may not always agree with a particular president of Nigeria. They can love Nigeria and demonstrate such immense love with zealous pursuit of Nigeria's interests unconditionally and always.

It certainly cannot not be, that the only time Nigerians seem to agree to act together in public overseas, is when a gathering is intended to castigate Nigeria. Nigerians abroad can also gather to celebrate Nigeria. And to advocate Nigeria's worthy causes.

Let these Nigerian persons with very tantalizing qualifications, pedigree, prefixes and suffixes become agents for positive changes for Nigeria. Let them combine their political activism with economic, social, scientific and other sundry nonviolent revolutions or change for Nigeria's benefit. Those initiators behind this list of petitioners, may have started a catalytic happenstance wittingly or unwittingly for Nigeria development, advancement and greatness.

Let them use this list of themselves as relational database for common good and public good for fellow Nigerians and Nigeria.

Robot  Villager

# 1 They should move progressively, to forming Think Tanks, Investment Clubs and Lobby Groups. Let th...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 19.05.2007 22:46

Oguguo Yakere  Villager

# 2 Paul Adujie! Paul Adujie, Paul Adujie! Alias Pappilo! How many times did I call you? If I were you (and thank God I am not) I would point my radar away from those "elites" you are now addressing. Why don't you find another job to do if this is your current source of butter and bread. A word is enough for a wise. Posted by Oguguo Yakere| 19.05.2007 23:12

emj  Villager

# 3 They should move progressively, to forming Think Tanks, Investment Clubs and Lobby Groups. Let them become powerful lobby groups such as the famous American Israel Political Action Committee or AIPAC which is known to wield a lot of power and influence over every American government on behalf of Israel, even when AIPAC do not necessarily approve of policies of every subsisting Israeli government. Let these eminent Nigerians begin to use their high profiles and connections for Nigeria's benefits. Let them begin to act as connectors between Nigeria and the rest of the world's humanity. Let them not rise only when it is time to ridicule, lampoon, criticize, scandalize and embarrass Nigeria over the imperfect state of affairs in Nigeria. Nigerians abroad can act as facilitators instead, even if they do not and may not always agree with a particular president of Nigeria. They can love Nigeria and demonstrate such immense love with zealous pursuit of Nigeria's interests unconditionally and always. It certainly cannot not be, that the only time Nigerians seem to agree to act together in public overseas, is when a gathering is intended to castigate Nigeria. Nigerians abroad can also gather to celebrate Nigeria. And to advocate Nigeria's worthy causes. Let these Nigerian persons with very tantalizing qualifications, pedigree, prefixes and suffixes become agents for positive changes for Nigeria. Let them combine their political activism with economic, social, scientific and other sundry nonviolent revolutions or change for Nigeria's benefit. Those initiators behind this list of petitioners, may have started a catalytic happenstance wittingly or unwittingly for Nigeria development, advancement and greatness. Let them use this list of themselves as relational database for common good and public good for fellow Nigerians and Nigeria. For once this year of our lord 2007AD, you seem to be making sense ILN. I hope and pray that you will continue to be this focused my good friend. We shall yet again even in our life time see the emancipation of our people from mental and political plus including economic slavery>>>>>>>>>. Posted by emj| 19.05.2007 23:17

katampe  Villager

# 4 Professors ko, Professors ni, most of those titles are a dime a dozen at the moment. How many of these folks have contributed anything substantial to the body of knowledge - none. If they were smart enough or sophisticated enough they would have formed the intellectual base necessary to move the country forward. The Awolowos and the Azikwes went home to try to make the country better. I hear most of the Yoruba professors have tribal marks, and Igbo ones amongst them, na typical okoro englsih dem dey speak for American university. I am not sure Nigeria needs their dated knowledge anymore.If they were smart enough, they would have been part of the folks prospecting for oil or trying to start an energy company. Let them go and ask Bart Nnaji what time it is. I was also shocked to see Bolaji Aluko and the Odidi of a guy. The Odidi guy has ridiculed Nigeria and has helped caricature the country like a banana republic with his interest to rule Nigeria and has used the Canadian media and the bunch of ignorant Canadian jounalists to further his interests. They are all a bunch silly and partisan people . Let them all pay their loans back before they can start talking. Posted by katampe| 19.05.2007 23:32

felix  Villager

# 5 Every effort made by any set of Nigerians to draw more attention to the dangers facing the country as a result of the events of the last eight years must be appreciated by all good men. It must be appreciated as part of the chains of events necessary to extricate Nigerians and Nigeria from the diabolical grip of Baba and his evil men(some of them resident in cyberspace).....In a battle , there exist what we call a division of labour; there are the Generals that plan and command the war, the infantry that take care of the shooting, the mechanised divisions that unleash the tanks an so on..., the same is the case here! It is not necessary that everybody must line up on the streets of Lagos and Abuja to be brutalised by a despots "horse whipping" security forces...., some people will match, some will write on the pages of the newspapers,some will use their pedigree, their international reputations/clout in their various fields to rally enough international support for an over abused/ hapless Nigerians back home and it is not like this has not worked in Nigeria before. The likes of Soyinka and other NADECO activists utilised this measure to rally the international community in thier bid to ostracise the devilish Abacha government....Some of those "concerned Nigerians" have also contributed in pratical terms to help uplift the image of the country through their works in their various fields ...If they feel at this point in time that there is a need to go back to the trenches, instead of the ego clash and unnecessary character assasination that is going on here, the least some of us internet bulldogs can do to help the struggle is to encourage them!!! Posted by felix| 20.05.2007 00:27

ocnus  Villager

# 6 Nigeria's reputation in groups like AIPAC is not high. George Obiozor (Nigerian Ambassador in the US) was asked by the head of American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) if he would attend its annual gala dinner March 13. AIPAC is the second most important political lobby in the US, uniting both Democrats and Republicans. Each year they have their Policy Conference. Key American and Israeli elected officials and thinkers addressed the plenary sessions, and the top leadership of Congress was on hand at the Gala Banquet -- a one-of-a-kind celebration which annually draws half of the Senate and a third of the House. Every major lobbyist in Washington attends as does a large proportion of the diplomatic corps. The head of AIPAC called Obiozor personally to check if he were coming. George promised he would be there and a place was set for him at the main table (George was Nigerian Ambassador to Israel before he came to the US). On the night George never came. He didn’t call. He sent no message. It was very embarrassing with an empty place at the head table. When we asked him why he didn’t go he said “I don’t work for them. Why should I go? Who cares what they think?” This is the man who is lobbying in Abuja to be your next Foreign Minister. Posted by ocnus| 20.05.2007 03:06

akuluouno  Villager

# 7 It is just that Nigeria has gradually suffered a haemorraghage of men of ideas, if not how can Mr Adujie condemn the acts of these 100 Nigerians that wrote out real love for their country. Rather than address their message he strained to find stains on the messengers. What has their membership of legitimate associations have to do with the content of their message. UMY has even acknowlegded that he needs divine guidance given the gargantuan nature of the challenges he faces if he must deliver democratic dividends to the long suffering Nigerian masses. Some us must have been resident in planet Mars (apologies to Ray Ekpu) if they keep on doing this megaphone of Everything is alright. It is akin to the blinding love a desperate customer has for a prostitute. :biggrin: :biggrin: Posted by akuluouno| 20.05.2007 05:23

Johntina  Villager

# 8 It might be a popular view, but to my mind only very ignorant Nigerians believe that the so-called brain drain is Nigeria's problem since Nigeria clearly does not lack personnel in any discipline relevant in Nigeria. There is no hospital in Nigeria known to be lacking medical personnel because they have all been brain drained by America and others. To my mind, It is lazy thinking anchored on the primitive belief that "everything in Oyibo land is better" that informs anyone that Nigeria suffers from brain drain as I known that even my Ebonyi State that lags behind every other state has no real vacancies for doctors not because up to half of the population have access to any modern Medicare but because he dubious government of Sam Egwu for 8 years did not deem it necessary to build any hospital. There s also no medical equipments which have been installed, but cannot be operated due to lack of competent personnel. People that reason lousily like this author make confuse things because they distract our minds from the real issues of the failures of the Nigerian state. The move by the 100 Nigerians is a gallant effort and the best move that Nigerians abroad should be making. Any Nigerian especially those abroad who ought to have acquired civilised cultures, who says that the recent daylight robbery in the name of elections should stand, is essentially dubious. Respect for individual opinions must not be abused to allow for any dubious person to paint black as white. Compromising blatant fraud in the fear of constitutional crisis is both dubious and cowardly. What does constitutional crisis mean by the way? If the Supreme Court or even any inferior court rules any day that the flawed elections are null and void, what will happen that calls for panic? The Chief Judge takes over or he highest ranking Army officer so, where is the constitutional crisis? I am afraid, dubious people abound in this village! John Iteshi Posted by Johntina| 20.05.2007 07:16

Bolaji Aluko  Villager

# 9 Adujie knows that I pay him very little mind despite his constant attempts to catch my attention in and out of season - for example, in a write-up of 100 names, he mentions my name three times - but I will make an exception here for patriotic duty. All I can say to the rabble-rousing Paul Adujie is that 100 or more Nigerian Intelligentsia Abroad who SUPPORT the Elections and its Process - whether they are card-carrying members or not - should now counter by writing to express their support for these fraudulent elections. The 100 Concerned Nigerians have expressed their democratic right to protest in writing; the countering by one hackneyed rabble-rousing Paul Adujie is jejune. And to think of Paul Adujie as a lawyer sometimes flips one's mind - he does not seem to have a single democratic or logical bone in his body. Posted by Bolaji Aluko| 20.05.2007 08:05

Zanderlex  Villager

# 10 Mr Adujie I think you make sense. Nigeria could have been better but these men (I did not see any XX chromosome among them) have to start somewhere and we must thank them for having started. Our duty is to continue to encourage,counsel, guide and direct all these "lost potentials" until they become relevantly productive in the building of our beloved country. They may be the only hope we have and therefore should not be ignored. Posted by Zanderlex| 20.05.2007 08:08

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