[Article Comment]Re: Banking On Africa, A Rejoinder

[Robot]

...Read the full article.

[Papino]

@Obi Aguocha, it is unbelievable that you would choose to expose yourself like this. I was of the opinion that you were probably hussling your way through any appointment when i last saw you in Abuja but the nonsense you wrote above has shown that you are even more confused than your appearance in WADATA house recently.
Did you say that YarDua is experienced and combatting crime? Where are you talking about? Nigeria or another country? Please continue with your search for livelihood but desist from spewing inaccuracies like the piece above is fumming with.
I do not have a problem with a different opinion but let us hear the truth. This is a guy that had two years and showed nothing so far. Rather, he is busy dismantling the few good deeds of OBJ and shuttling to check his pulse in Saudi Arabia. All you wrote above is about a plan to introduce this and that policy. How come you are already assessing the output of policies that are not existing?. For your information, performance measurement of short term policies that you claim are ready to unfold, requires a minimum of 5years. You already concluded the outcome because you want to impress somebody.
I wish you well in the Abia plans or is it Federal now? Joker

[Patcho]

...Read the full article.

:

Folks,

In my days hearing apologists, sympathizers and praise-singers, I never came across one as airy and uninspiring as the one submitted by Obi Aguocha, with all due respect.

Reading his submission prompted me to ask the question Ubani later asked, where does this bloke live and what does he do?

Are we speaking of the same Nigeria? While there are reasons to applaud President Yar'Adua, conditions as they currently exist tend to minimize what gains and progress that might have been made under his leadership. Nigerians live with a siege mentality and if a satisfaction survey were to be conducted, it is very likely the indicator will be low.

Economic development and its apparent benefits manifested in quality of life, with the attendant pursuit of happiness, cannot be an abstract. If the 7-point agenda cannot be measured, it's imaginary and abstract. The 7-point agenda must be measured along qualitative and quantitative indices in order for Nigerians to begin a sense of belonging necessary to unleash effective nation building. Despite millions and billions spent by past administrations, no sector of the Nigerian economy stands out as a major beneficiary. Although there are individuals celebrated as 'tycoons, money bags, and alpha and omega', in the real sense of things, they are flash-in-the-pan
bigwigs who parade consume wealth and are never able to transform even the smallest of villages.

1. Public Works and Services
Until the war broke, Nigeria had a system of public works that worked and delivered services. There was the PWD - Public Works Department camps along all major highways and their job was to maintain the roads and ensure free follow of traffic. After the war when the country adopted the Works Ministries both at the state and federal levels, Nigeria roads have become death zones and the worst in a country of its size. Since 1999, despite billions voted and approved for new roads and maintenance of existing ones, Nigeria under President Obasanjo tarred less than 1,000 miles or 1,600 km, in 8 years. What is the difficulty tarring more roads when the technology for road construction is one of the easiest to copy and paste?

2. Water Supply
Apart from Abuja, no other Nigerian city has water and sewer system. And even the Abuja system is over capacitated because the city was planned for 500,000 but has swollen to more than 1.5m within and outside its extra territorial jurisdiction. Lagos one of the largest cities in the world, does not have sewer system and its water supply is less than 5 million gallons a day for a city with daily population of more than 12 million. Granted that Lagos became a city in 1800s and had Lord Lugard remained as then Governor General, Lagos would have looked like Hong Kong. Lagos today is an eyesore and remains one of the failed cities in the world.

3. Healthcare and Healthcare Delivery
It is no gainsaying the obvious, Nigeria does not have one despite the many teaching hospitals in the country. Nigerian doctors go on strike and Nigeria remain a country where doctors go on strike and or doctors demand payment before one can be treated. Many top government functionaries and business executive will hop in a plane for mere check up overseas because they do not trust what they get at home. The poor is left to their own devices. When a country cannot take interest in looking out for the health of her people, that country is not worth anything.

4. Education
No doubt Nigerians can read and write, and education is one thing many want to have. But look at the condition of the schools where Nigeria train its future leaders. The physical condition of schools in Nigeria is such that many who can afford it, send their children abroad. And apart from the physical condition, the teaching and curriculum have fallen that most college graduates can hardly form sentences that make sense. If that is the case, how does Nigeria hope to compete?

5. Armed Forces - Army and Police
Even in peace time and considering that the military ruled Nigeria for a period more than half its independent life, military and police barracks remain one of the ugliest public and badly maintained public facilities in Nigeria. One would have imagined that the military really take care of their own. Instead those that were opportune to have enjoyed rewarding positions, did nothing for the institutions. The Biafran barracks of the war times, make present day Nigeria Army and Polic barracks look like war time facilities.

6. Banking
My position on this is well documented. Until Nigeria banks lend money at less than 10% and finance operations for 10 years on a level annuity, they are basically knee-jerk lenders and killers of the economy.

7. State Governance
From 1999 to 2007, the 5 core Igbos states altogether had total budget of more than $24 billion, for an area no more than 18,700 square miles. By budget per mile, what the Igbo states had to spend rivaled that of any major city/region in the world. Yet, with such money the Igboland remained desolate and destitute. The entire Igboland is less than the size of one of the states in the northeastern section of Nigeria. If economic development is aided when land size is small, Igboland by now would have become the most developed section of Nigeria.

8. Public Safety
Nigeria is dangerous not because of aliens but because of Nigerians. That persons are abducted/kidnapped in day light and the culprits go Scot free, is one of the saddest occurrences of present day Nigeria. And lace that with the fact that Bola Igeh, a former minister of justice and supposedly the chief law enforcement of Nigeria under Obasanjo, was killed cold blood and no one has yet been arrested, speaks to the lousy law enforcement the country has. After 6-pm, the entire country is dark and leaders of the under world continue their operations unchecked.

9. Electricity
Electricity debut in Nigeria less than 20 years after Washington DC got theirs. And in 1894, Ijaro Power Station was established and at the time, it was a pioneer in Africa. Today, a country of 150 million, is mostly dark. A British Airways pilot once described flying into Nigeria like holding a torch light when looking for the runway. So for more than 115 years electricity debut in Nigeria, the country can hardly boost of 10% power supply in a given day. Most countries the size of Nigeria, no long have issue with electricity. Nigeria is still the only country with more than 100 million that is not able to deliver to her people one of the cheapest and easily installed infrastructure: water and light.

10. Public Probity and Governance
Until public officials serve as and like 'servant leaders' and approach their duties from that of humility and concern for the people, Nigeria will never be a country of value. When people in public office are openly acknowledged as millionaires when the people know it is their money that is being used, but chose to do nothing, Nigeria will remain a country of ridicule.

I elected the use the above in response to Obi Aguocha. I have hope for Nigeria but we must acknowledge the errors in judgment and leadership that thus far cost the country and stand to ruin its ability to stand firm. How much one looks in the rear view mirror to drive forward, depends how one wants to approach the destination.

Later Folks
ejike e okpa ii
__________________________________________________ _____________________________________

[Patcho]

:

Folks,

In my days hearing apologists, sympathizers and praise-singers, I never came across one as airy and uninspiring as the one submitted by Obi Aguocha, with all due respect.

Reading his submission prompted me to ask the question Ubani later asked, where does this bloke live and what does he do?

Are we speaking of the same Nigeria? While there are reasons to applaud President Yar'Adua, conditions as they currently exist tend to minimize what gains and progress that might have been made under his leadership. Nigerians live with a siege mentality and if a satisfaction survey were to be conducted, it is very likely the indicator will be low.

Economic development and its apparent benefits manifested in quality of life, with the attendant pursuit of happiness, cannot be an abstract. If the 7-point agenda cannot be measured, it's imaginary and abstract. The 7-point agenda must be measured along qualitative and quantitative indices in order for Nigerians to begin a sense of belonging necessary to unleash effective nation building. Despite millions and billions spent by past administrations, no sector of the Nigerian economy stands out as a major beneficiary. Although there are individuals celebrated as 'tycoons, money bags, and alpha and omega', in the real sense of things, they are flash-in-the-pan
bigwigs who parade consume wealth and are never able to transform even the smallest of villages.

1. Public Works and Services
Until the war broke, Nigeria had a system of public works that worked and delivered services. There was the PWD - Public Works Department camps along all major highways and their job was to maintain the roads and ensure free follow of traffic. After the war when the country adopted the Works Ministries both at the state and federal levels, Nigeria roads have become death zones and the worst in a country of its size. Since 1999, despite billions voted and approved for new roads and maintenance of existing ones, Nigeria under President Obasanjo tarred less than 1,000 miles or 1,600 km, in 8 years. What is the difficulty tarring more roads when the technology for road construction is one of the easiest to copy and paste?

2. Water Supply
Apart from Abuja, no other Nigerian city has water and sewer system. And even the Abuja system is over capacitated because the city was planned for 500,000 but has swollen to more than 1.5m within and outside its extra territorial jurisdiction. Lagos one of the largest cities in the world, does not have sewer system and its water supply is less than 5 million gallons a day for a city with daily population of more than 12 million. Granted that Lagos became a city in 1800s and had Lord Lugard remained as then Governor General, Lagos would have looked like Hong Kong. Lagos today is an eyesore and remains one of the failed cities in the world.

3. Healthcare and Healthcare Delivery
It is no gainsaying the obvious, Nigeria does not have one despite the many teaching hospitals in the country. Nigerian doctors go on strike and Nigeria remain a country where doctors go on strike and or doctors demand payment before one can be treated. Many top government functionaries and business executive will hop in a plane for mere check up overseas because they do not trust what they get at home. The poor is left to their own devices. When a country cannot take interest in looking out for the health of her people, that country is not worth anything.

4. Education
No doubt Nigerians can read and write, and education is one thing many want to have. But look at the condition of the schools where Nigeria train its future leaders. The physical condition of schools in Nigeria is such that many who can afford it, send their children abroad. And apart from the physical condition, the teaching and curriculum have fallen that most college graduates can hardly form sentences that make sense. If that is the case, how does Nigeria hope to compete?

5. Armed Forces - Army and Police
Even in peace time and considering that the military ruled Nigeria for a period more than half its independent life, military and police barracks remain one of the ugliest public and badly maintained public facilities in Nigeria. One would have imagined that the military really take care of their own. Instead those that were opportune to have enjoyed rewarding positions, did nothing for the institutions. The Biafran barracks of the war times, make present day Nigeria Army and Polic barracks look like war time facilities.

6. Banking
My position on this is well documented. Until Nigeria banks lend money at less than 10% and finance operations for 10 years on a level annuity, they are basically knee-jerk lenders and killers of the economy.

7. State Governance
From 1999 to 2007, the 5 core Igbos states altogether had total budget of more than $24 billion, for an area no more than 18,700 square miles. By budget per mile, what the Igbo states had to spend rivaled that of any major city/region in the world. Yet, with such money the Igboland remained desolate and destitute. The entire Igboland is less than the size of one of the states in the northeastern section of Nigeria. If economic development is aided when land size is small, Igboland by now would have become the most developed section of Nigeria.

8. Public Safety
Nigeria is dangerous not because of aliens but because of Nigerians. That persons are abducted/kidnapped in day light and the culprits go Scot free, is one of the saddest occurrences of present day Nigeria. And lace that with the fact that Bola Igeh, a former minister of justice and supposedly the chief law enforcement of Nigeria under Obasanjo, was killed cold blood and no one has yet been arrested, speaks to the lousy law enforcement the country has. After 6-pm, the entire country is dark and leaders of the under world continue their operations unchecked.

9. Electricity
Electricity debut in Nigeria less than 20 years after Washington DC got theirs. And in 1894, Ijaro Power Station was established and at the time, it was a pioneer in Africa. Today, a country of 150 million, is mostly dark. A British Airways pilot once described flying into Nigeria like holding a torch light when looking for the runway. So for more than 115 years electricity debut in Nigeria, the country can hardly boost of 10% power supply in a given day. Most countries the size of Nigeria, no long have issue with electricity. Nigeria is still the only country with more than 100 million that is not able to deliver to her people one of the cheapest and easily installed infrastructure: water and light.

10. Public Probity and Governance
Until public officials serve as and like 'servant leaders' and approach their duties from that of humility and concern for the people, Nigeria will never be a country of value. When people in public office are openly acknowledged as millionaires when the people know it is their money that is being used, but chose to do nothing, Nigeria will remain a country of ridicule.

I elected the use the above in response to Obi Aguocha. I have hope for Nigeria but we must acknowledge the errors in judgment and leadership that thus far cost the country and stand to ruin its ability to stand firm. How much one looks in the rear view mirror to drive forward, depends how one wants to approach the destination.

Later Folks
ejike e okpa ii
__________________________________________________ _____________________________________

:
the marginal or ill-fated issues which for so long bedeviled the country can be solved in a span of 4 or even 8 years. But I have hope, and change is being made in the real lives of Nigerians.


Dear Friends.

I believe Okpa is right in his observations below, and I again truly appreciate the routine basket list of Nigeria’s woes. They are indeed benign and the truth is, the performance of these various sectors in Nigeria has deteriorated over the years and efforts by previous governments to restore the system have not yielded accelerated tangible results. It is also true that while these are inherited problems, and most of these problems as Okpa mentioned below span 115 years, President Yar’Adua is taking responsibility for its solutions. I also delight in another truth, that in the routine basket list of Nigeria’s woes, two problems, namely Niger Delta Security and Financial Sector Stability are conspicuously absent. The omission in my mind is progress. The truth is, it would be very naive of us to believe that all

I am encouraged with this forum and would appreciate even in diverse views of our contributing skills, designs and advocacy that we do not degrade to individual personality or assign motives where none exist. These are serious issues which require on ground active participation both as individuals or government. As the President once said, "let us be that dawn of hope to the hopeless and the destitute of our nation." Leadership starts with us.



Obi Aguocha

[Patcho]

:
the marginal or ill-fated issues which for so long bedeviled the country can be solved in a span of 4 or even 8 years. But I have hope, and change is being made in the real lives of Nigerians.


Dear Friends.

I believe Okpa is right in his observations below, and I again truly appreciate the routine basket list of Nigeria’s woes. They are indeed benign and the truth is, the performance of these various sectors in Nigeria has deteriorated over the years and efforts by previous governments to restore the system have not yielded accelerated tangible results. It is also true that while these are inherited problems, and most of these problems as Okpa mentioned below span 115 years, President Yar’Adua is taking responsibility for its solutions. I also delight in another truth, that in the routine basket list of Nigeria’s woes, two problems, namely Niger Delta Security and Financial Sector Stability are conspicuously absent. The omission in my mind is progress. The truth is, it would be very naive of us to believe that all

I am encouraged with this forum and would appreciate even in diverse views of our contributing skills, designs and advocacy that we do not degrade to individual personality or assign motives where none exist. These are serious issues which require on ground active participation both as individuals or government. As the President once said, "let us be that dawn of hope to the hopeless and the destitute of our nation." Leadership starts with us.



Obi Aguocha

:

Folks

Obi Aguocha has done it again, and I appreciate his straight forwardness and opinion why Nigeria appears to be making a progress even when situation and condition dictate otherwise. He acknowledged that we have not done well in the past 115 years, and said 4-8 years will not be enough to change many of the conditions. I guess, he is saying we should stay for another 115 years, since that was how long it took us to get to where we are.

In today's world when countries leap from nothing to something, I am hesitant to ask, is Nigeria suited for such 'leaping'? Yes and No, depending on who is in the driver's seat. Maybe according to Obi Aguocha, President Yar'Adua, is that driver!

The Niger Delta temporary success should not be the only yardstick of measure. The focus on oil as the mainstay of the economy has inadvertently taken the eyes of Nigerians off other sectors that could surpass the revenue from oil. Nigeria has never earned more than $100 billion from oil at any given year since it started pumping oil. And with all the noise about how good her crude is, the country remains the poorest nation [per capita pita basis] of all the oil exporting countries.
When the Cocoa House - Ibadan; first high rise in Nigeria was built from revenue from cocoa, creation of Bank of the North - gains from then ground nuts pyramids, palm oil export earnings, resulting on the creation of ACB and Cooperative Bank of Eastern Nigeria, and the first high rise in Enugu - ACB Tower on Okpara Avenue and Presidential Hotels in Enugu and Port Harcourt, all built as testaments to Nigeria agriculture and farmers contributions, oil was no where. But since oil appeared, Nigerians have gotten lazier and overly dependent on the proceeds from this one commodity termed 'unearned resource'. The oil curse has continued to ruin the country and many Nigerians are now either in banking or oil business. The north that has the comparative advantage of feeding the rest of the country because it has more land, does not know what it is missing. While oil is fine, it is messy and countries do not have to have it to be successful.

The Nigeria pound note then depicted Nigeria prominence in agriculture. But look what oil has gotten Nigeria; laziness and stealing, with Ijaw/Riverine people holding the country hostage. Despite the 13% special allocation included in the 1979 constitution based on Gamel Onosode Committee recommendation, to appease the oil producing areas, Delta people have continued to act and behave like 'Oliver Twist' - always some more.

In the early 1980s, when the Shagari Administration paid a whooping N12 million, more than $20 million then to settle claims arising from the 1978 Texaco oil blowout and spillage that out-going Obasanjo military regime refused to address, what happened to the money? The then Rivers Governor Melford Okilo and his henchman and shadow governor in-tow - Ramani Abba, Estate surveyor and valuer, pocketed majority of the money. Then, that was the biggest compensation ever paid by an oil company for damages resulting from causes arising from pipeline tampering. The villagers whose farmland were destroyed and the chiefs, were given mere N5,000 each and some ended up with a 504 Peugeot. That singular incident was why Texaco left Nigeria because they felt they were being 'ambushed' and punished for something they did not do. Since then, persons from the Riverine area took this as a way to make money, and Shell became the next target.

As long as Nigeria leadership keep masking what the issues are and making some feel and behave like sacred cows, no amount of money will do for this malfeasant folks whose stock in trade is to see that there are confusion and nothing works. As a Nigerian fed up with the shameless ways folks from the Riverine areas are making the rest of Nigerians feel, I have the feeling: Let the Delta folks drink their oil and gas themselves to whatever level they want.

Has anyone thought of the impact Nigerians will make if every Nigerian were to have access to 15 gallons of system delivered water/sewer, and charge only N2-N5 per gallon a day? Such system will deliver about $500 billion annually. Nigeria will have more money from such operation than it gets from oil. The entire country reliance on oil, makes people from the Delta believe that without them, the country will not survive. That is one of the most annoying stance that make me want to puke. In my university days in Port Harcourt, I was witness to the soft landing that then Rivers State folks had. They believed they did not need to work hard, that the oil companies will always give them something.

When Ojukwu; father of Emeka Ojukwu was recognized as the wealthiest west African, he was not trading in oil. When people earn a living using their hands/head, and taking advantage of whatever comparative advantage nature has bestowed them, who needs folks who are lazy? What did Delta folks do for the oil and gas to be in their land? Nothing. They equate being lucky with geography and natural resources, with having tenacity and hardworking traits to make things for their communities. I understand the sad condition of things in their area but majority is orchestrated by them as they pursue greed and feed their insatiable appetite. The proof is there. What did Rivers Gov.Odili; 1999-2007, do with all the money he got for Rivers State? And for his Bayelsa counterpart, how about the London incident? Between the two, they had more than $20 billion in 8 years for an area less than 2,000 square miles.

ejike e okpa ii
Dallas, Texas

[Patcho]

:

Folks

Obi Aguocha has done it again, and I appreciate his straight forwardness and opinion why Nigeria appears to be making a progress even when situation and condition dictate otherwise. He acknowledged that we have not done well in the past 115 years, and said 4-8 years will not be enough to change many of the conditions. I guess, he is saying we should stay for another 115 years, since that was how long it took us to get to where we are.

In today's world when countries leap from nothing to something, I am hesitant to ask, is Nigeria suited for such 'leaping'? Yes and No, depending on who is in the driver's seat. Maybe according to Obi Aguocha, President Yar'Adua, is that driver!

The Niger Delta temporary success should not be the only yardstick of measure. The focus on oil as the mainstay of the economy has inadvertently taken the eyes of Nigerians off other sectors that could surpass the revenue from oil. Nigeria has never earned more than $100 billion from oil at any given year since it started pumping oil. And with all the noise about how good her crude is, the country remains the poorest nation [per capita pita basis] of all the oil exporting countries.
When the Cocoa House - Ibadan; first high rise in Nigeria was built from revenue from cocoa, creation of Bank of the North - gains from then ground nuts pyramids, palm oil export earnings, resulting on the creation of ACB and Cooperative Bank of Eastern Nigeria, and the first high rise in Enugu - ACB Tower on Okpara Avenue and Presidential Hotels in Enugu and Port Harcourt, all built as testaments to Nigeria agriculture and farmers contributions, oil was no where. But since oil appeared, Nigerians have gotten lazier and overly dependent on the proceeds from this one commodity termed 'unearned resource'. The oil curse has continued to ruin the country and many Nigerians are now either in banking or oil business. The north that has the comparative advantage of feeding the rest of the country because it has more land, does not know what it is missing. While oil is fine, it is messy and countries do not have to have it to be successful.

The Nigeria pound note then depicted Nigeria prominence in agriculture. But look what oil has gotten Nigeria; laziness and stealing, with Ijaw/Riverine people holding the country hostage. Despite the 13% special allocation included in the 1979 constitution based on Gamel Onosode Committee recommendation, to appease the oil producing areas, Delta people have continued to act and behave like 'Oliver Twist' - always some more.

In the early 1980s, when the Shagari Administration paid a whooping N12 million, more than $20 million then to settle claims arising from the 1978 Texaco oil blowout and spillage that out-going Obasanjo military regime refused to address, what happened to the money? The then Rivers Governor Melford Okilo and his henchman and shadow governor in-tow - Ramani Abba, Estate surveyor and valuer, pocketed majority of the money. Then, that was the biggest compensation ever paid by an oil company for damages resulting from causes arising from pipeline tampering. The villagers whose farmland were destroyed and the chiefs, were given mere N5,000 each and some ended up with a 504 Peugeot. That singular incident was why Texaco left Nigeria because they felt they were being 'ambushed' and punished for something they did not do. Since then, persons from the Riverine area took this as a way to make money, and Shell became the next target.

As long as Nigeria leadership keep masking what the issues are and making some feel and behave like sacred cows, no amount of money will do for this malfeasant folks whose stock in trade is to see that there are confusion and nothing works. As a Nigerian fed up with the shameless ways folks from the Riverine areas are making the rest of Nigerians feel, I have the feeling: Let the Delta folks drink their oil and gas themselves to whatever level they want.

Has anyone thought of the impact Nigerians will make if every Nigerian were to have access to 15 gallons of system delivered water/sewer, and charge only N2-N5 per gallon a day? Such system will deliver about $500 billion annually. Nigeria will have more money from such operation than it gets from oil. The entire country reliance on oil, makes people from the Delta believe that without them, the country will not survive. That is one of the most annoying stance that make me want to puke. In my university days in Port Harcourt, I was witness to the soft landing that then Rivers State folks had. They believed they did not need to work hard, that the oil companies will always give them something.

When Ojukwu; father of Emeka Ojukwu was recognized as the wealthiest west African, he was not trading in oil. When people earn a living using their hands/head, and taking advantage of whatever comparative advantage nature has bestowed them, who needs folks who are lazy? What did Delta folks do for the oil and gas to be in their land? Nothing. They equate being lucky with geography and natural resources, with having tenacity and hardworking traits to make things for their communities. I understand the sad condition of things in their area but majority is orchestrated by them as they pursue greed and feed their insatiable appetite. The proof is there. What did Rivers Gov.Odili; 1999-2007, do with all the money he got for Rivers State? And for his Bayelsa counterpart, how about the London incident? Between the two, they had more than $20 billion in 8 years for an area less than 2,000 square miles.

ejike e okpa ii
Dallas, Texas

:

Okpa's observation is not only true, but highlights a fundamental problem among Nigerians who choose to cast a blind eye to the non-responsive governments that Nigeria has produced since independence. These Nigerians in an effort to always present Nigeria in favorably, fail to hold Nigerian leadership past and present accountable for failed promises, corrupt practices and lack of vision. Every election cycle in most democracies is predicated on the premise that the citizens desire for change ushered in a new regime that will effect change. The winners are elected oftentimes because the majority in the electorate believed the ability of those whom they elected to make their lives better. For this reason, it is rather convoluted and circular reasoning for any government or its representatives to claim that the reason for not doing well or as well as expected is because they inherited the problems of past administrations. Yar'Adua's administration must take responsibility for the both the progress and the lack of it in Nigeria today. That is why he was elected, to effect change for a better Nigeria. The scale of Progress is
measured incrementally. Change agents come not to keep the status quo, but to change it. I don't think that the average Nigerian living in Nigeria todaOkpa's observation is not only true, but highlights a fundamental problem among Nigerians who choose to cast a blind eye to the non-responsive governments that Nigeria has produced since independence. These Nigerians in an effort to always present Nigeria in favorably, fail to hold Nigerian leadership past and present accountable for failed promises, corrupt practices and lack of vision. Every election cycle in most democracies is predicated on the premise that the citizens desire for change ushered in a new regime that will effect change. The winners are elected oftentimes because the majority in the electorate believed the ability of those whom they elected to make their lives better. For this reason, it is rather convoluted and circular reasoning for any government or its representatives to claim that the reason for not doing well or as well as expected is because they inherited the problems of past administrations. Yar'Adua's administration must take responsibility for the both the progress and the lack of it in Nigeria today. That is why he was elected, to effect change for a better Nigeria.

Uzo Agulefo
Professor, Economics
Business & InformationTechnology Learning Center
North Lake College
5001 N. MacArthur Blvd.
Irving, Texas 75038

[Patcho]

:

Okpa's observation is not only true, but highlights a fundamental problem among Nigerians who choose to cast a blind eye to the non-responsive governments that Nigeria has produced since independence. These Nigerians in an effort to always present Nigeria in favorably, fail to hold Nigerian leadership past and present accountable for failed promises, corrupt practices and lack of vision. Every election cycle in most democracies is predicated on the premise that the citizens desire for change ushered in a new regime that will effect change. The winners are elected oftentimes because the majority in the electorate believed the ability of those whom they elected to make their lives better. For this reason, it is rather convoluted and circular reasoning for any government or its representatives to claim that the reason for not doing well or as well as expected is because they inherited the problems of past administrations. Yar'Adua's administration must take responsibility for the both the progress and the lack of it in Nigeria today. That is why he was elected, to effect change for a better Nigeria. The scale of Progress is
measured incrementally. Change agents come not to keep the status quo, but to change it. I don't think that the average Nigerian living in Nigeria todaOkpa's observation is not only true, but highlights a fundamental problem among Nigerians who choose to cast a blind eye to the non-responsive governments that Nigeria has produced since independence. These Nigerians in an effort to always present Nigeria in favorably, fail to hold Nigerian leadership past and present accountable for failed promises, corrupt practices and lack of vision. Every election cycle in most democracies is predicated on the premise that the citizens desire for change ushered in a new regime that will effect change. The winners are elected oftentimes because the majority in the electorate believed the ability of those whom they elected to make their lives better. For this reason, it is rather convoluted and circular reasoning for any government or its representatives to claim that the reason for not doing well or as well as expected is because they inherited the problems of past administrations. Yar'Adua's administration must take responsibility for the both the progress and the lack of it in Nigeria today. That is why he was elected, to effect change for a better Nigeria.

Uzo Agulefo
Professor, Economics
Business & InformationTechnology Learning Center
North Lake College
5001 N. MacArthur Blvd.
Irving, Texas 75038

:

Folks

Uzo Agulefo, a product of Merchants of Lights School, Oba, Anambra State, before all the other academic accomplishments, is my 'senior', like we used to do in secondary school. I brought him into the dialogue because I know he will come in with a succinct and precise commentary. A PhD holder in Economics, Uzo is a practical and pragmatic thinker because at Merchants of Light, we were taught to use our academic knowledge to seek solutions, and such solutions must be measured and quantified. Of all the schools I attended, Merchants laid the foundation because it was there I learned Economics, Geography, essay writing for persuasive argument, critical thinking and sense of community.

When we lose sight of measures that the common person cannot understand/use, no amount of dialogue will matter. Economic theories and geo-political equations that tend not to sensitize a people to what matters to them is abstract, and not bound to make sense to anyone.

Many people in Nigeria who in the years long past strived with dignity to eke out respectable livelihood without formal education, are disappointed that their off springs they paid to attend 'whiteman' schools, cannot deliver. At the start of the war, the Igboland was a peaceful region whose many leaders hardly possessed 'Standard Six' certificate. But who understood without prompting, what service to those they represent mean.

The then Chiefs, Ezes, and Obas, held themselves accountable and did things to enhance the image of their towns. Stealing was frowned at and punished severely. And no one that had questionable character ever showed up to be crowned or given any title. But today with many Igbo families having college education and many getting such from abroad, Igboland and all of Nigeria has fallen to ruins. With all the doctors and doctorates, how come we are sicker?

It is because we copy what makes no sense to us and are shameless when we fail in areas we are supposed to excel.

Back to BASICS with that home-grown sense of community and pride, and see Nigeria re-launch itself.

When in 1955, my father at a tender age of 27, built Teachers Training College, Ihe, Awgu Division, one of few in then Eastern Nigeria, Chief of Ihe and later Honorable member Eastern Nigeria House of Chiefs at age 32, Ihe did not have anyone with college education. As my dad rallied his town folks to build the college, the Catholic Church through an Irish priest wanted to build the school. My dad emphatically SAID NO. His reasoning: He did not want anyone to build anything for his people. His people are capable of doing so and any outsider can join in. Had the Irish priest prevailed, Teachers Training College, Ihe, would have been named after the priest. TTC Ihe, now Special Science School of Enugu State; a pride contribution of Ihe to the education of Nigerians, courtesy of late Chief E E Okpa, Echelibe II of Ihe, who only had secondary education, is a testament of leadership that was nutured at home but propelled with pride to serve.

Today, what do Nigerians do? They stretch arms for alms [BEGGING] for what they should and take pride in doing. We must strive to bring back that 'village pride' that encourage villages to do better and leaders serve their community. Today's Nigeria leadership is alien to the people and often wait and want institutions like the World bank to tell them what to do. No way.

The World Bank never existed when America had its struggles and survived and even in the most challenging times, America does not call on the World Bank for anything. So if the originator of such institution does not see value in what they created, why must Nigeria, that in 1945, was colonized and since after independence, still embrace the World Bank?

Nigeria has enough brains and brawl in the 150 million or so Nigerians, that our solution must be home grown and when we need outside help, there are capable Nigerians resident in some of these countries we should call on. Having persons whose overall disposition see 'black' as inferior to help us solve problems, will never deliver to us the needed answers. Like my father eloquently and incessantly impacted in me, I must never blame anyone that come into my house and put me and my family asunder. Outsider only function when the insider extend them comfort.

Nigeria allows the outsider world to put her asunder because in her are persons who like things 'western' and if undermining their country gives them gains, they do no mind. Uzo Agulefo's analogy with the 'village woman' is the way to go.

ejike e okpa ii
Dallas, Texas

[Patcho]

:

Folks

Uzo Agulefo, a product of Merchants of Lights School, Oba, Anambra State, before all the other academic accomplishments, is my 'senior', like we used to do in secondary school. I brought him into the dialogue because I know he will come in with a succinct and precise commentary. A PhD holder in Economics, Uzo is a practical and pragmatic thinker because at Merchants of Light, we were taught to use our academic knowledge to seek solutions, and such solutions must be measured and quantified. Of all the schools I attended, Merchants laid the foundation because it was there I learned Economics, Geography, essay writing for persuasive argument, critical thinking and sense of community.

When we lose sight of measures that the common person cannot understand/use, no amount of dialogue will matter. Economic theories and geo-political equations that tend not to sensitize a people to what matters to them is abstract, and not bound to make sense to anyone.

Many people in Nigeria who in the years long past strived with dignity to eke out respectable livelihood without formal education, are disappointed that their off springs they paid to attend 'whiteman' schools, cannot deliver. At the start of the war, the Igboland was a peaceful region whose many leaders hardly possessed 'Standard Six' certificate. But who understood without prompting, what service to those they represent mean.

The then Chiefs, Ezes, and Obas, held themselves accountable and did things to enhance the image of their towns. Stealing was frowned at and punished severely. And no one that had questionable character ever showed up to be crowned or given any title. But today with many Igbo families having college education and many getting such from abroad, Igboland and all of Nigeria has fallen to ruins. With all the doctors and doctorates, how come we are sicker?

It is because we copy what makes no sense to us and are shameless when we fail in areas we are supposed to excel.

Back to BASICS with that home-grown sense of community and pride, and see Nigeria re-launch itself.

When in 1955, my father at a tender age of 27, built Teachers Training College, Ihe, Awgu Division, one of few in then Eastern Nigeria, Chief of Ihe and later Honorable member Eastern Nigeria House of Chiefs at age 32, Ihe did not have anyone with college education. As my dad rallied his town folks to build the college, the Catholic Church through an Irish priest wanted to build the school. My dad emphatically SAID NO. His reasoning: He did not want anyone to build anything for his people. His people are capable of doing so and any outsider can join in. Had the Irish priest prevailed, Teachers Training College, Ihe, would have been named after the priest. TTC Ihe, now Special Science School of Enugu State; a pride contribution of Ihe to the education of Nigerians, courtesy of late Chief E E Okpa, Echelibe II of Ihe, who only had secondary education, is a testament of leadership that was nutured at home but propelled with pride to serve.

Today, what do Nigerians do? They stretch arms for alms [BEGGING] for what they should and take pride in doing. We must strive to bring back that 'village pride' that encourage villages to do better and leaders serve their community. Today's Nigeria leadership is alien to the people and often wait and want institutions like the World bank to tell them what to do. No way.

The World Bank never existed when America had its struggles and survived and even in the most challenging times, America does not call on the World Bank for anything. So if the originator of such institution does not see value in what they created, why must Nigeria, that in 1945, was colonized and since after independence, still embrace the World Bank?

Nigeria has enough brains and brawl in the 150 million or so Nigerians, that our solution must be home grown and when we need outside help, there are capable Nigerians resident in some of these countries we should call on. Having persons whose overall disposition see 'black' as inferior to help us solve problems, will never deliver to us the needed answers. Like my father eloquently and incessantly impacted in me, I must never blame anyone that come into my house and put me and my family asunder. Outsider only function when the insider extend them comfort.

Nigeria allows the outsider world to put her asunder because in her are persons who like things 'western' and if undermining their country gives them gains, they do no mind. Uzo Agulefo's analogy with the 'village woman' is the way to go.

ejike e okpa ii
Dallas, Texas

:
-----

Subject: Banking On Africa: Show Me The Money!


Hi Folks,



Permit me to start on a trivial note. For those of you who
have wondered who Obi Aguocha is, a brief bio: Obi is an
American-educated Nigerian, spends most of his time in the US, works
part-time in Afghanistan , where he recently was the Chief Electoral
Officer during the June 12 elections, he also visits Nigeria
frequently, and is in line to succeed Prof. Iwu as Chairman of the
Independent National Electoral Commission when his tenure ends next
year. It may be of great interest to you all to know that his daytime
views are totally at variance with his night-time positions on matters
concerning good governance in Nigeria, or the lack thereof.

Now to substantive matters. A common thread that runs through most of the
contributions to this dialogue is the overarching desire to come to
grips with our collective failure as a nation, resulting from the
partially correct diagnoses by UB, Ejike, Chuks and Agulefo that the
key problem is that of bad leadership. I will attempt to broaden the
diagnoses by suggesting that the problem goes beyond leadership alone.
There are also the problems of misguided followership, acquiescent
followership, impotent latent leadership, etc, etc. Indeed, to
paraphrase some cynics, we collectively deserve the bad leadership we
have, and have had, because we have all willingly accepted and
acquised, through collective inaction, a top-down 419 selectocracy in
place of genuine bottom-up democracy! Then there is also the problem of
diagnoses as an end; pious self-righteous whining without any desire or
intention to endure physical pain or material deprivation in defence of
our deeply felt principles. We can all analyze till hell freezes over,
but without articulate, practical political action, NOTHING DOING! I
reckon most of us make our living as practical, pragamatic individuals;
as teachers we plan our syllabuses, and prepare our lecture notes;
those of us in business prepare business plans to guide our endeavours.
So, brothers, beyond analyzing ad nauseam, what practical,
organizational steps do we plan to take in furtherance of our desires
and wishes? Until then, it appears our primary attention is focused on
butt-gazing; that at least serves as an opiate that provides cathartic
relief for our impotent rage!!


Reproduced below is my initial reaction to Okpa's Banking On Africa - 1;


I hope you will still find it worth your time.

UB,

Just seen your response to Okpa's Banking on Africa - 1b.

I am in essential agreement with your abbreviated framing of the solution,
starting with your thesis that "the solution lies with us too", but
only so far. I would go further by saying that the solution rests squarely with
US, and with nobody else. By US, i mean the African elite and people. Between
1960 and 1975, it may have been the norm to situate our underdevelopment within
the context of Afrisecalist [after Chinweizu, Molefi Asante and Abu Barry]
and/or Rodnean [after Walter Rodney] responses to Colonialism and
Neo-Colonialism, or to the Neo-Marxian responses of the Center-Periphery
Analysis School espoused/exemplified by Samir Amin, Andre Gunder Frank, et al.
Within the kernel of these responses were the notions adumbrated of racial and
civilizational conflicts, with the implicit situational and circumstantial
conspiracies fashioned by the West to either keep the African savages in their
place in order to facilitate the plunder of their estates, or where direct
domination was no longer expedient or prudent in a post-colonial era, to
manipulate the emergent, unsophisticated leadership of the new Africa to do the
bidding of the West, both in economic and geo-political terms, without seeming
to be doing so, through the instrumentality of such institutions as the United
Nations,the Commonwealth, the various Bretton Woods Institutions, and also the
regional institutions such as the ADB/ADF fashioned in their mold.
Unfortunately, whilst these responses had strong relevance, and rightly, in
some cases, put part of the blame on the African elite, in today's age of
globalization, i make bold to say that any responses that imply an inexorable
progression from Colonialism, through Neo-Colonialism to barely disguised
Economic Terrorism by the West is simply out of touch, and probably a form of
escapism.

For me, these latter-day conspiracy theories are plain hogwash! The fact the
we, AFRICANS of today, elite and followers alike, have abdicated our
responsibilities to ourselves, especially in the political context, and still
succumb to the seductive pull of the hold-them-down-so-we-can-prosper-at-their-expense theorists smacks of barely concealed ignorance, nay, moral impishness! To understand and properly context
our predicament, it is important to understand that, ab initio, the UN system and the Bretton Woods institutions were not set up to advantage or to develop us, so to expect anything to the contrary
is self-delusional.

I do not know whether Ejike Okpa is a banker, though his choice and framing of
the problematic would support such a conclusion, but he appears to subscribe to
the notion that capitalism, especially the international banking institutions
that are at its core, are imbued with altruistic and beneficent remits, the
cardinal one of which is to develop us. Space and time will not permit me
to frame a complete response to the many issues raised in Okpa's exposition,
but a few points will suffice to enable a reformulation of the problematic,
realistically. Firstly, our future is in our own hands; we can only make
progress, collectively as a people, if we desire it strongly enough, and
are prepared to embark on a journey of self-understanding - a study of our
history as Africans and why we are STILL poor and underdeveloped. Secondly, we
must be prepared to make the necessary sacrifices, in BLOOD, SWEAT AND TEARS,
to wrestle our political and economic destiny from a misguided and hare-brained
elite that is clueless as to the basic requirements for survival in a
competitive, globalized world. Finally, whilst looking inwards to find our
moorings - morally, philosophically or otherwise, we MUST also look outwards -
the Tokugawa Shoguns of Japan and the Meiji Restoration a few centuries ago,
and the modern-day example of China starting under Deng Xiao Ping - are ready
exemplars of the oft-quoted, but oft-betrayed exhortation to us from Frantz
Fanon that "every generation must, out of relative obscurity, define its
mission, fulfull it, or betray it"

At a later date i hope we may collectively inquire into some of the questions
begged by the afore-going, and maybe contribute towards an understanding of how
a Communist China has become the powerhouse of the Capitalist World, the
financier of the West, rather than a borrower and a beggar. I suspect that the
answer may lie in their history, their culture, and the conscious choices they
have made as a people in articulating a developmental trajectory for
themselves: they made a political bargain within to use the methods of the West
to beat the West at its own game! AND this was possible because they have an
Effective, Articulate and Enlightened elite in charge of their affairs!

I hope all of us in this nascent loop can continue this elevating dialogue, and
many thanks to Ejike, whose Euro-Christian sensibilities seem to have been
jarred by our collective indulgence in nubile butt-gazing.

Ubuntu!

Best wishes!


E. Chinedu Ibekwe
CEO, INTERAF GROUP
7, UDO UDOMA STREET
ASOKORO, ABUJA, NIGERIA.

[Patcho]

:
-----

Subject: Banking On Africa: Show Me The Money!


Hi Folks,



Permit me to start on a trivial note. For those of you who
have wondered who Obi Aguocha is, a brief bio: Obi is an
American-educated Nigerian, spends most of his time in the US, works
part-time in Afghanistan , where he recently was the Chief Electoral
Officer during the June 12 elections, he also visits Nigeria
frequently, and is in line to succeed Prof. Iwu as Chairman of the
Independent National Electoral Commission when his tenure ends next
year. It may be of great interest to you all to know that his daytime
views are totally at variance with his night-time positions on matters
concerning good governance in Nigeria, or the lack thereof.

Now to substantive matters. A common thread that runs through most of the
contributions to this dialogue is the overarching desire to come to
grips with our collective failure as a nation, resulting from the
partially correct diagnoses by UB, Ejike, Chuks and Agulefo that the
key problem is that of bad leadership. I will attempt to broaden the
diagnoses by suggesting that the problem goes beyond leadership alone.
There are also the problems of misguided followership, acquiescent
followership, impotent latent leadership, etc, etc. Indeed, to
paraphrase some cynics, we collectively deserve the bad leadership we
have, and have had, because we have all willingly accepted and
acquised, through collective inaction, a top-down 419 selectocracy in
place of genuine bottom-up democracy! Then there is also the problem of
diagnoses as an end; pious self-righteous whining without any desire or
intention to endure physical pain or material deprivation in defence of
our deeply felt principles. We can all analyze till hell freezes over,
but without articulate, practical political action, NOTHING DOING! I
reckon most of us make our living as practical, pragamatic individuals;
as teachers we plan our syllabuses, and prepare our lecture notes;
those of us in business prepare business plans to guide our endeavours.
So, brothers, beyond analyzing ad nauseam, what practical,
organizational steps do we plan to take in furtherance of our desires
and wishes? Until then, it appears our primary attention is focused on
butt-gazing; that at least serves as an opiate that provides cathartic
relief for our impotent rage!!


Reproduced below is my initial reaction to Okpa's Banking On Africa - 1;


I hope you will still find it worth your time.

UB,

Just seen your response to Okpa's Banking on Africa - 1b.

I am in essential agreement with your abbreviated framing of the solution,
starting with your thesis that "the solution lies with us too", but
only so far. I would go further by saying that the solution rests squarely with
US, and with nobody else. By US, i mean the African elite and people. Between
1960 and 1975, it may have been the norm to situate our underdevelopment within
the context of Afrisecalist [after Chinweizu, Molefi Asante and Abu Barry]
and/or Rodnean [after Walter Rodney] responses to Colonialism and
Neo-Colonialism, or to the Neo-Marxian responses of the Center-Periphery
Analysis School espoused/exemplified by Samir Amin, Andre Gunder Frank, et al.
Within the kernel of these responses were the notions adumbrated of racial and
civilizational conflicts, with the implicit situational and circumstantial
conspiracies fashioned by the West to either keep the African savages in their
place in order to facilitate the plunder of their estates, or where direct
domination was no longer expedient or prudent in a post-colonial era, to
manipulate the emergent, unsophisticated leadership of the new Africa to do the
bidding of the West, both in economic and geo-political terms, without seeming
to be doing so, through the instrumentality of such institutions as the United
Nations,the Commonwealth, the various Bretton Woods Institutions, and also the
regional institutions such as the ADB/ADF fashioned in their mold.
Unfortunately, whilst these responses had strong relevance, and rightly, in
some cases, put part of the blame on the African elite, in today's age of
globalization, i make bold to say that any responses that imply an inexorable
progression from Colonialism, through Neo-Colonialism to barely disguised
Economic Terrorism by the West is simply out of touch, and probably a form of
escapism.

For me, these latter-day conspiracy theories are plain hogwash! The fact the
we, AFRICANS of today, elite and followers alike, have abdicated our
responsibilities to ourselves, especially in the political context, and still
succumb to the seductive pull of the hold-them-down-so-we-can-prosper-at-their-expense theorists smacks of barely concealed ignorance, nay, moral impishness! To understand and properly context
our predicament, it is important to understand that, ab initio, the UN system and the Bretton Woods institutions were not set up to advantage or to develop us, so to expect anything to the contrary
is self-delusional.

I do not know whether Ejike Okpa is a banker, though his choice and framing of
the problematic would support such a conclusion, but he appears to subscribe to
the notion that capitalism, especially the international banking institutions
that are at its core, are imbued with altruistic and beneficent remits, the
cardinal one of which is to develop us. Space and time will not permit me
to frame a complete response to the many issues raised in Okpa's exposition,
but a few points will suffice to enable a reformulation of the problematic,
realistically. Firstly, our future is in our own hands; we can only make
progress, collectively as a people, if we desire it strongly enough, and
are prepared to embark on a journey of self-understanding - a study of our
history as Africans and why we are STILL poor and underdeveloped. Secondly, we
must be prepared to make the necessary sacrifices, in BLOOD, SWEAT AND TEARS,
to wrestle our political and economic destiny from a misguided and hare-brained
elite that is clueless as to the basic requirements for survival in a
competitive, globalized world. Finally, whilst looking inwards to find our
moorings - morally, philosophically or otherwise, we MUST also look outwards -
the Tokugawa Shoguns of Japan and the Meiji Restoration a few centuries ago,
and the modern-day example of China starting under Deng Xiao Ping - are ready
exemplars of the oft-quoted, but oft-betrayed exhortation to us from Frantz
Fanon that "every generation must, out of relative obscurity, define its
mission, fulfull it, or betray it"

At a later date i hope we may collectively inquire into some of the questions
begged by the afore-going, and maybe contribute towards an understanding of how
a Communist China has become the powerhouse of the Capitalist World, the
financier of the West, rather than a borrower and a beggar. I suspect that the
answer may lie in their history, their culture, and the conscious choices they
have made as a people in articulating a developmental trajectory for
themselves: they made a political bargain within to use the methods of the West
to beat the West at its own game! AND this was possible because they have an
Effective, Articulate and Enlightened elite in charge of their affairs!

I hope all of us in this nascent loop can continue this elevating dialogue, and
many thanks to Ejike, whose Euro-Christian sensibilities seem to have been
jarred by our collective indulgence in nubile butt-gazing.

Ubuntu!

Best wishes!


E. Chinedu Ibekwe
CEO, INTERAF GROUP
7, UDO UDOMA STREET
ASOKORO, ABUJA, NIGERIA.

:

Oga Ibekwe

I can bet my life on this bio- about Obi Aguocha; that he served as Chief Electoral Officer during the June 12 election in Afghanistan. By associating him with Maurice Iwu, who by the way, was never a tenured professor in any college in US, encourages me to make the assertion.

Maurice Iwuh, who was Andy Ubah's; remember him, Obasanjo's side kick, mislabeled Adviser, was instrumental in plucking Maurice Iwu from obscurity in US to chair INEC. Andy Ubah's thinking, was that he Iwu was going to help him win Anambra gubernatorial election. Of course, Iwu delivered, but Ubah had the shortest tenure as he was booted out.

Maurice Iwu is an example of the sort of Nigerians that slide into the country with incompetent background but using unfetted political access ascend to position of prominence. Mr. Iwu as INEC chair, cannot debate election rules and practices in US. I like for Mr. Iwu to say what college in US he was professor of and when? Nigeria keep getting fooled and when opportunity exist to unearth some of these fakes, they chose not to do so. How can the country grow?

How Iwu is chairing and heading that of Nigeria? Because our leaders are impressed by fake. Can Maurice Iwu discuss what he did when he lived in US and offer list of election papers and or opinions he wrote about US election rules? I will bet any amount of money. It is frightening to think someone like Obi Aguocha, will succeed him. But let me get back to you on Obi Aguocha serving as Chief Electoral Officer for election in Afghanistan. If you believe this, then you must agree that one day the sun will rise from the West and set in the north. With Nigerians, everything is possible including the cosmos altering its form.

Later
ejike e okpa ii