Who is who in Nigeria

First published in the Nigerian Compass of Tuesday July 27, 2010

Last week, President Goodluck Jonathan decorated 186 ‘distinguished Nigerians’ with different honours ‘as part of recognition for their selfless service to their fatherland’. The awardees include, but not limited to, politicians, professionals, retired soldiers and philanthropists. Since this ceremony in Abuja last week, there has been mixed reactions from Nigerians, home and in diaspora. While some think that these Nigerians are worthy awardees, some others disagree and feel that some of these awardees are people who have benefited from Nigeria than people who have given to Nigeria. Nigerians like awards and honours and this is a big problem. The first day Vice President Namadi Sambo resumed office, the first activity in the presidency is to give him a GCON. What for?

The newspapers have been making a lot of money from congratulatory messages and felicitations with these awardees. This is expected as societies like ours are filled with sycophants and this is the kind of things they want. They make people feel that they are loved and cherished but deep down in their hearts, they are only interested in what they gain from such person. This shows when things go sour, they align with someone else. This is not the theme of our discussion today. My take on the award ceremony, the awardees and the awarder is that Nigeria has nothing to award a serious mind. Anybody who feels that he needs any of these awards could be said to be unfriendly and selfish. On what basis are these awards given? How much money or how much influence? Relevance or being a major player? These could be some of the yardstick used by the organisers to dish out the awards. We can also look at it from this perspective; how distinguished are these Nigerians in the moral usage of the word that now warrants a national honour? Are there no better Nigerians than those paraded for the honours? Why can’t local achievers be honoured or are they exempted? Why are some people rejecting these honours? There are so many other questions that this piece may not capture.

I was listening to a programme on a local radio station last week and the presenter was talking about serious and unserious countries, particularly on ways a country evolves distinguished personalities that will be national as well as international figures. It is not a deliberate action of the state, but due to an enabled society, these personalities spring up and dominate talks locally and internationally. Anywhere they go, citizens come out in numbers to catch a glimpse of their hero. They are treated like heroes everywhere they go. They did not force these love on people by giving out money or other incentives, but work tirelessly to make the people happy through their different professions. Some are found in the entertainment industry, some, politics, while some others are located in other spheres of human endeavours. This presenter then mentioned Michael Jackson, Reverend Jesse Jackson, Bill Clinton and some others in America. In Venezuela, President Hugo Chavez was clearly the idol. In Ghana, Jerry Rawlings was mentioned as a national pride; South Africa has Mandela and the Queen, in England. This presenter then threw the bombshell that listeners should mention a Nigerian idol or figures that, willingly without any form of inducement, Nigerians will troop out en masse to catch a glimpse of. It was like a form of quiz. I searched through my file and could not think of one. Of course, it is my opinion. The presenter himself said he knew none as at that time and maybe after reactions and feedbacks are collated, he may find one. But believe you me, Nigeria has none. Then, what honours are being bestowed by Jonathan last week. Could any of the honoured gone to the other side of his clan and be welcomed as a hero?

I was even thinking of our footballers, but they too are not heroes. Is it Kanu Nwankwo, or Austin Jayjay Okoacha, or Yakubu Aiyegbeni, or even Mikel Obi, that is a national hero in the stature of the Madiba or Bill Clinton? When last week I wrote about the 92nd birthday of the African sage, Nelson Mandela, I made reference to the fact that Nigerian past leaders could not be regarded as sages simply because they think of themselves and their immediate interests rather than the interests of the country. It is shameful and disheartening that a country of Nigeria’s size and population status will be in short supply of nationalists and heroes.

Meanwhile,the way out is simple. The 2011 election seems to be the ultimate beginning to the end of Nigerian problems. If peoples’ choices are not tampered with, the country will be on the verge of reclaiming her place in the comity of serious nations. Enthroning good governance has been the major issue debilitating the country’s growth and development. The country is filled with potentials, material and human. There is no excuse not to flourish. Excellence should be rewarded and not riches and infamy. Many farmers contribute more than most of the people being honoured and they are not mentioned. This is not the vision of our heroes past. Honour should not be traded between the elite class but given to whom it is due.

As the world stood still for Madiba at 92

Published in the Nigerian Compass of 20th July, 2010

FOR some years now, July 18 has been religiously celebrated as if it is a day a prophet was born as in Christmas or the day Holy Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (SAW) was born. But no prophet was actually born on this day, the least I know, only that the contemporary world was blessed with a miracle child some 92 years back and that child has become the most celebrated living man today. It is important we duff our hats for the MADIBA. Nelson Mandela, the great Africa.
Nelson Mandela turned 92 on Sunday with US President Barack Obama and other world leaders hailing the anti-apartheid icon's contribution to global politics and human rights. Leaders world over as well as others have been celebrating with Mandela as he gets older and frail. He has been an inspiration to everybody. He is an example of great mind. Even at 92, Mandela still attend some functions as his presence is a motivator any day. His contribution to African development is unmatched. It has often been argued that Africa has never produced anybody near Mandela and in fact may not have a chance of producing another Madiba. American President in a statement said; "We strive to build upon his example of tolerance, compassion and reconciliation”. Former Zambian President, Kenneth Kaunda sang; "Happy Birthday, dear Granddad".
Meanwhile, despite his old age, his wife, Graca Machel, claims that the Madiba is healthy and taking into account the kind of life he had. He is getting old, he is getting frail but he is absolutely healthy, full of life, spirits high," Mandela's wife told BBC. The United Nations has also declared July 18 as annual Nelson Mandela International Day. This year’s celebration being the first of its kind. What an honour to an African sage!
For the occasion, ordinary people in South Africa and abroad committed themselves to devoting 67 minutes of their time to community service, to mark the number of years Mandela spent in politics, an initiative backed by global figures like former US president Jimmy Carter and Martti. A group of 30 bikers including Hollywood actor Morgan Freeman undertook a road-trip from Johannesburg to Cape Town, engaging in community projects along the way such as building a fence at an AIDS centre at an impoverished township. Even our President, Goodluck Jonathan, describes Mandela as "an exemplary statesman and selfless leader, whose invaluable contributions to human endeavour continue to earn him international repute and goodwill. Nelson Mandela is a towering figure. He embodies the highest values of humanity.
Jailed for 27 years by the country's white minority government for resisting apartheid rule, Mandela was released in 1990 and led negotiations with the government that culminated in his election as the country's first black president in 1994. He stepped down in 1999, after serving one term in office. He has made few public appearances since he retired from public life in 2004.
Lessons are abound in Madiba’s life, especially for Nigerian leaders. After serving just one term in office, he voluntarily relinquished power to have a deserved rest after years of freedom fighting. Even those he fought against are today hailing him as one of the best human to ever grace the earth. He won Peace Prize and so many awards, recognizing his immense contribution to the development of humanity. Another lesson for Nigerian leaders is that Mandela is not a local champion. He cuts across all divide. So many Nigerians could have passed as people close to Madiba in achievements, but the ‘Nigerian thing’ has been shortchanging us for a while.
Once again, congratulations to the Madiba. The Great African Soldier still living.

S-o-m-e-r-s-a-u-l-t-e-d!

First published in the Nigerian Compass of Tuesday 13th July, 2010.

IN my last column, I hailed Mr. President on his popular decision to ‘self-ban’ Nigerian national teams from international engagements for two years. I also mentioned that, FIFA’s ban was imminent that day as it has decided to impose a ban on Nigeria if Nigerian authorities failed to reverse their stand and toe the line of the world soccer body. I had predicted that Dr. Goodluck Jonathan would not be swayed into recanting his words as he had earlier threatened that ‘Nigeria is a sovereign country and will not bow to pressure to surrender its sovereignty to a mere body’. But, as we witnessed, Jonathan ate his words and could not stand his ground. He failed in the last minute to impose his views. Though, stakeholders hailed him for going against himself, but prosperity is here to judge him. I have decided to be indifferent on the matter, but having done a piece last week on the same issue, praising Jonathan, I think it worthwhile to address the latest development. This is of course the latest policy somersault in the history of this country.

On Sunday, the first World Cup ended with Spain carting home the biggest prize in world soccer. African countries were disappointing in the campaign, with the exception of Ghana- who, with its thin arms, shouldered the big responsibility of the entire Black countries by reaching the quarter finals. Nigeria with other African countries fell like packs of cards when it mattered. None of the African teams went past the preliminary stages. More worrisome, is Nigeria, as this concerns me more than the others. Nigeria, coming from the backdrop that the erstwhile coach, Amodu Shaibu, was sacked on the eve of the mundial, gave too little to be remembered for. They could not fight and as a result, like their country, somersaulted!

It is high time Nigerians knew that whatever they do will be history at some point in the future and that posterity will judge us. At the end of the soccer showpiece, Nigerian striker, ‘Yaku-boo’ Aiyegbeni, was voted as the striker with the worst miss in the world cup history behind one striker in the 1930s. The Everton striker missed an open chance that could have put his team in the second round of the competition and maybe won the sympathy of their enemies. He had the net at his mercy but somersaulted terribly by kicking the ball away from the goalpost. He reminded me of a friend, who once said that most of the lads we took to South Africa are unreliable and anybody desiring to live long should just put his mind off any expectation from the Super Eagles. He also added that some of them can kick penalties in to throw-in. If you understand the structure of the pitch, that is a terrible thing to think. But Aiyegbeni proved him right by missing that chance. I then start to have the feeling that it was deliberate for nature to want Nigeria and other African countries to fail because their homes are not in order. This is strictly my thinking. Maybe, if Nigeria were better managed, our national teams would not have faltered uncontrollably as they are doing. A sportswriter’s version is that it was because Amodu was sacked that we lost woefully.

Holding tightly to my belief, most countries performance in soccer or sports generally, or even in many other areas, are true reflections of how well their country is managing itself. Most of these things cannot be done in isolation. It’s like searching for a good leader and the citizens are bad. You cannot get it. Knowing fully well that these leaders must emerge from among the populace; then looking forward to such will only amount to futility. A country’s performance in international conference, meet, event or any other gathering will surely be a reflection of what is happening domestically in such country. Taking us back a little; in an earlier piece, this columnist x-rayed Ghana as an emerging force on the African continent in all ramifications. But Ghana was once in a similar position as Nigeria. Their economy was not growing; Ghanaian leaders were as selfish, if not more than, Nigerian leaders; Ghanaians were running away from their country to anywhere as Nigerians are doing presently; Ghanaians were being persecuted everywhere because of vices they take anywhere they go as Nigerians specialize now; education, sports, economy were all in bad shape; and poverty was written all over the old Gold Coast. What did they do? Clear the debris called leaders off the way for a new Ghana. Someone was told a gathering that Jerry Rawlings gave the then looters of Ghana ample notice to return the loot back to treasury, but they refused, and he then had no choice but to apply the ‘Rawlings treatment’. We have severally recommended similar treatment for our dear country. But each time we move it, the looters move fast. But look at Ghana today; American President, Barack Obama, in his earliest days in office, visited Ghana and came out strongly to say that Ghana is a model for other African countries. No wonder, 80 percent of the closed 820 firms that left Nigeria went to Ghana. Ghana will soon celebrate five years of uninterrupted power. Just last year, Ghana won the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt, reached the final of the African nations Cup in Angola and was in touching distance to reaching the semi-final of the world cup. A last minute penalty miss by Asamoah Gyan was their undoing because if he had converted that spot kick, Ghana would have had a very good chance of making the final of the event and wjo knows, could have ended up as champions. These feats are not miraculous. It is often argued that the bset foreign policy is a strong domestic policy. If our house is not put in order, no matter the amount of taxpayers’ money we spend, we will still miss out. This country has somersaulted enough and we cannot afford to continue like this.

Football as ‘cosmeticism’ in Nigeria

Published in the Nigerian Compass of Tuesday July6, 2010.

WHILE watching a television programme yesterday morning on the Nigerian Television Authority about the poor showing of the nation’s senior soccer team, the Super Eagles, at the ongoing World Cup in South Africa. There was a playback, showing House of Representatives members speaking about the precarious situation Nigerian football has found itself. A member’s submission caught my attention. The member in question, who I believe is speaking the mind of almost all our leaders, Abdul Ningi, declared that “Football is life and it is the only thing that makes Nigerians happy”.



Putting Honourable Ningi in perspective, he, representing government, is not happy that the Super Eagles are fumbling because Nigerians are not happy. Or, government could have been happy that Nigerians are happy because the Super Eagles are playing well and also winning. Whichever way one looks at it, the government is only interested in a ‘happy Nigeria’ for just 90 minutes, even if the remainder part of the day, which is 22 hours 30 minutes, is horrid, sorrowful, undelightful and filled with pangs of poverty.

This is the problem! When President Goodluck Jonathan announced last week, the suspension or self imposed ban, on the National Teams of Nigeria, from international scenes for two years, I was relieved. For readers who have been following this columnist for sometime, it may not be strange, but for ‘first timers’ this columnist is not patriotic in this sense and he doesn’t regret it. I have decided since France ’98 World Cup that until the government hands off the funding of football in Nigeria, I will never see anything bad in not supporting the national teams.

Most Nigerian players playing abroad are very rich and I see no need to add the meager resources in the country to their already bloated purse, and the output is failure and heartache for ‘patriotic’ Nigerians. So many Nigerian sectors are begging for adequate funding, yet football is given priority over them. Why not? As Ninigi pointed out earlier, “it makes Nigerians happy”. Even when Nigeria wins; are Nigerians happy? The government has seen football as an escape route to distract attention from issues. It is this escapism that is responsible for its involvement in football and other sports. Millions, even billions, of naira are being spent on football annually, while many children are dropping out of school. In just ten years of ‘demo-Crazy’ over 820 firms were reported to have closed shop in Nigeria due to unfriendly environment. Lecturers from all levels of tertiary institutions are downing tools now and then and there seems to be no end in sight. Roads across the country are increasingly becoming death traps and the various tiers of government seem not to bother. Health facilities are unavailable and where available, are either inadequate or ridden with unqualified personnel. Poverty is as common as air as it blows around unhindered. Lives and property are no longer secure as security has broken down everywhere. Prostitution, armed robbery, hired assassination, corruption etc, have taken over the country. Yet, football is mentioned as if it contributes to development. A friend once told me during a conversation that led to argument, that there is a great deal of influence and affluence our foreign footballers bring home from abroad. How much they make and how they cater for their people back in Nigeria. But I posed a question to him, which he could not answer; how many Americans play internationally and how much influence do their wealth has on the economy of the united states of America? He simply winked at me and went away, defeated!

The yardstick for measuring growth and development does not include football exports. It is based basically on the real sector, which Nigeria has neglected; the standard of living; per capita income; and related indices. For a country to now spend so much on this ‘white elephant project’ is criminal and inimical to development.

So, the self imposed ban or suspension by Jonathan is a welcome development and even if FIFA in the end adds its own ban for whatever years it deems fit, it is better. Let us cut the frivolous spending and concentrate on productive things. I know that sportswriters may have different views, maybe for economic reasons, but the interest of all Nigerians should be put first. The President should be supported and by the time we re-emerge after the ‘FIFA ban’ we would have been better for it. Enough of this ‘cosmeticism’!