Let's be far-sighted and strategic: We need more bridges across River Niger and River Benue! Does this sound alarmist? Let it be.
If you were on the present bridge at Asaba-Onitsha recently, you would see/feel how short-sighted we've been all these years. If anything happens to that bridge today, it will be hell for travellers up and down the country. To have waited this long for its replacement is truly absurd. I will not join the political permutations that are making the rounds on this (deliberate?) neglect. What is clear is that we've short-changed ourselves.
For economic and socio-cultural imperatives/benefits, we need to weld this big country together with futuristic multi-modal transportation infrastructure : roads, rail, air, water. Bridges across these two rivers - strategically spaced from south to north - are a critical link in this matrix.
We shall discuss possible locations in the next installment. Let no one tell us about costs or funding. We found money to dredge the rivers, we'll find money to build the bridges. Once we reduce the obscene cost of running government and stop the criminal looting in government, Nigeria will fly. We can find money for huge airports projects that benefit mostly the elite/ruling class (not that airports are unwelcome!), we must also find money to link our people up nationwide with roads & bridges as well as rail.
Let's add it to the election agenda. States and communities along the rivers should lead the charge. All smart presidential and gubernatorial aspirants better wave this carrot! And political parties? Can't they see!
Friday, November 26, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Solar Freedom!......... (1)
I was just thinking the other day: What do money-people and government-people think about? If we have energy/electricity problem across Africa why not simply list the various terrains, the options/solutions and tackle the darned thing multi-dimensionally? Take the solar, take the wind, take the hydro, take the thermal and run around the globe for local and foreign operators - i.e. inventors, fabricators, manufacturers, researchers, financiers, investors, marketers, etc? Why not create industrial zones, commercial zones, security zones, services zones, and give them dedicated supply? What is rocket science about that?
In my native Nigeria, there are too many dams that could carry small turbines for rural and urban electric power. Guess what we did: we pretended they don't exist or can't do it! Now, at higher cost and decades after, we are returning to them for power-generation! No one is asking any soul-searching, pointed and conscience-laden questions! Of course not: dis na naija, biko.
Today is about the solar revolution sweeping the globe. Like everything else, Africa is sleeping! We have the unmatched comparative advantage but, no, we must wait for others to research, invent, manufacture and market solar energy for us! Just like anti-malarials, anti-retrovirials, fertilizers, furniture, toothpicks, tyres, cement, sugar, fish, beverages, fruits, livestock, medicines and textiles! And all them state funds and looted cash we stash in foreign banks are traditionally and routinely recycled by those countries as foreign loans to us! We be Africans, jare!
So I ask again: What are the business people and power-holders (power-mongers?) of Africa, especially Nigeria, thinking? Why is the African Sun not giving Solar Freedom to Mother Africa? What are our foreign currency reserves doing abroad? And Oh Ye Looters, why stash our kudi in foreign lands when it can profit your fatherland? Are we exceedingly proud to be dis African?
Solar power/energy is huge profitable business with limitless potentials; why are we its enemy?
Take all villages and urban homes off the national grid with solar generators/panels, and see how much surge you'll give to industrial and commercial operations! What is nuclear science in that? Why aren't we producing solar-anything in Nigeria, in Africa; instead, we are importing solar-everything? This is 2010, knocking on 2011, isn't it? Haba!
In my native Nigeria, there are too many dams that could carry small turbines for rural and urban electric power. Guess what we did: we pretended they don't exist or can't do it! Now, at higher cost and decades after, we are returning to them for power-generation! No one is asking any soul-searching, pointed and conscience-laden questions! Of course not: dis na naija, biko.
Today is about the solar revolution sweeping the globe. Like everything else, Africa is sleeping! We have the unmatched comparative advantage but, no, we must wait for others to research, invent, manufacture and market solar energy for us! Just like anti-malarials, anti-retrovirials, fertilizers, furniture, toothpicks, tyres, cement, sugar, fish, beverages, fruits, livestock, medicines and textiles! And all them state funds and looted cash we stash in foreign banks are traditionally and routinely recycled by those countries as foreign loans to us! We be Africans, jare!
So I ask again: What are the business people and power-holders (power-mongers?) of Africa, especially Nigeria, thinking? Why is the African Sun not giving Solar Freedom to Mother Africa? What are our foreign currency reserves doing abroad? And Oh Ye Looters, why stash our kudi in foreign lands when it can profit your fatherland? Are we exceedingly proud to be dis African?
Solar power/energy is huge profitable business with limitless potentials; why are we its enemy?
Take all villages and urban homes off the national grid with solar generators/panels, and see how much surge you'll give to industrial and commercial operations! What is nuclear science in that? Why aren't we producing solar-anything in Nigeria, in Africa; instead, we are importing solar-everything? This is 2010, knocking on 2011, isn't it? Haba!
Friday, November 12, 2010
WEST woos EAST! AFRICA is NEXT!!
The WEST is wooing The EAST! SOON, it will be AFRICA!!
Most of their think tanks didn't see it coming. The few that saw hardly believed it. So, the West was caught unawares by the ultimate rise of the East - especially India and China! The oil & gas boom of the last 12 years and the rebound of Russia under Vladimir Putin, as well as the slow recovery of the Japanese economy (the West's key ally out there!) completed the tripod of new reality.
The rise, fall, and rise of the "Asian Tigers" made the East a new commercial and economic zone sooner than forecast, and lessened the gravity of the recent world economic meltdown. Now we are having big multinationals and several billionaires coming from the East, and petro-dollars from the Middle-East finding home in Asian countries.
This better investment climate has attracted western manufacturers and services, many of which do most of their production and delivery in the East. Western countries are protesting this "export of domestic jobs”, politicians are proposing all sorts of diplomatic, legislative, and retaliatory measures, including possible rejigs of WTO codes. Well, the prime lesson from the world economic crisis/credit crunch is that nothing is sacrosanct or beyond rewrite. There is no "one-size-fits-all" anywhere - a lesson the World Bank/IMF oligarchs learnt too late, at grave cost to Africa!
Brazil, under President Lula DaSilva, beat the western think-tank radar. The South American giant joined Russia, India and China - the BRIC countries - as a counterpose to western hegemony. Add to that the emerging assertiveness of the global force called Non-Aligned Movement, and you have a world reinventing itself.
Triggered by 9/11, the Republican years under President George W Bush saw America in its most brazen show of force, and acts of expansionism - including the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, heightened face-offs with Iran, North Korea, Hamas, Cuba, Venezuela, China and Russia. The US fell out with most of Europe over Iraq, repudiated the Kyoto Agreement and held up WTO and other protocols in very unusual self-adulation. As the natural leader of the so-called free world, these tensions and sustained discordance have inevitably weakened the west. The Obama Administration is now trying to pick up the pieces.
In the meantime, things have changed rapidly and inexorably on the global turf. Not much is the same anymore! The world economic crisis, triggered by failed subprime loans and other financial services infractions, the failure of regulatory agencies, the near-colluding political authorities, and the horrendous costs of remedies (the so-called packages) brought the age-long reputation of western capitalism to its knees. The US must rely on foreign capital (especially China, India, Russia and the Gulf/Arab States) to finance its huge deficits. Troubled European countries are now dealing with the IMF/World Bank. It is quite surreal.
Recently, David Cameron, the new British Prime Minister, went in search of Indian investors - India, its former colony! Well, we shall see more! And, why not? Most former colonies are the resource belts and strategic zones of the world. They provided the hunting grounds for the Slave Trade in Africa, and for modern day Cheap/Child Labour for western multinationals. Just like America, Canada, Australia, Singapore and New Zealand, India is now a favourite destination for British FDI quests. No matter. More delegations from the West will follow. Let the East play and enjoy its role, its turn. We need each other!
The next destination is Africa. No question. Who knowest not? If you insist, let's share a few "whys": Raw materials and huge mineral and human resources, including a diverse and well-endowed Diaspora. 52 nations of a soon-One-Billion-souls market. By 2010, submarine broadband cables will surround Africa; by 2012, all of Africa will be “wired up” with the latest Internet Technology - bye to the sinful digital divide! In the next 5 years, ICT will explode in Africa; in the following 5 years, Africa will be a new frontier - it will create, re-create, generate and service its own unique needs. The GSM Revolution in Africa is on the home stretch, dovetailing into its Data successor.
With the global agitation and heightened crusading against corruption, including some tough actions and heart-warming repudiations from the West - traditional safe-havens for Third World looting - African leaders are sitting up. This is freeing its resources for its development. More importantly, the West is helping Africa hunt down its looters - rightly so! If the East follows suit - we're sure China/India/Russia will bond on this - soon, there'll be no hiding space for these betrayers. ASEAN must join the EU in this regard. As the new Obama initiative brings in NAFTA, the noose tightens. With the help of the UN and Brazil, as well as the new Africa-South America Summit & Treaty, that region will soon be hostile to Africa's looters and plunderers.
When Africa begins concerted value-added industrial, agro-allied and mineral production, and the emerging leadership and governance transformation takes inexorable hold, it will deal as it is dealt - building on the Eastern example. It will not be long.
The moral: Repair past damages! Be partners, not plunderers! Court, not cut, Africa - it will hurt both ways! Have the past ways changed yet? Are old habits hibernating? Are global think tanks reading the real radars? We wonder.
As the next Frontier, maybe the Final Frontier, for global geopolitical positioning, may world leaders read their maps right, and each country cast their every vote right. The facts have spoken.
Most of their think tanks didn't see it coming. The few that saw hardly believed it. So, the West was caught unawares by the ultimate rise of the East - especially India and China! The oil & gas boom of the last 12 years and the rebound of Russia under Vladimir Putin, as well as the slow recovery of the Japanese economy (the West's key ally out there!) completed the tripod of new reality.
The rise, fall, and rise of the "Asian Tigers" made the East a new commercial and economic zone sooner than forecast, and lessened the gravity of the recent world economic meltdown. Now we are having big multinationals and several billionaires coming from the East, and petro-dollars from the Middle-East finding home in Asian countries.
This better investment climate has attracted western manufacturers and services, many of which do most of their production and delivery in the East. Western countries are protesting this "export of domestic jobs”, politicians are proposing all sorts of diplomatic, legislative, and retaliatory measures, including possible rejigs of WTO codes. Well, the prime lesson from the world economic crisis/credit crunch is that nothing is sacrosanct or beyond rewrite. There is no "one-size-fits-all" anywhere - a lesson the World Bank/IMF oligarchs learnt too late, at grave cost to Africa!
Brazil, under President Lula DaSilva, beat the western think-tank radar. The South American giant joined Russia, India and China - the BRIC countries - as a counterpose to western hegemony. Add to that the emerging assertiveness of the global force called Non-Aligned Movement, and you have a world reinventing itself.
Triggered by 9/11, the Republican years under President George W Bush saw America in its most brazen show of force, and acts of expansionism - including the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, heightened face-offs with Iran, North Korea, Hamas, Cuba, Venezuela, China and Russia. The US fell out with most of Europe over Iraq, repudiated the Kyoto Agreement and held up WTO and other protocols in very unusual self-adulation. As the natural leader of the so-called free world, these tensions and sustained discordance have inevitably weakened the west. The Obama Administration is now trying to pick up the pieces.
In the meantime, things have changed rapidly and inexorably on the global turf. Not much is the same anymore! The world economic crisis, triggered by failed subprime loans and other financial services infractions, the failure of regulatory agencies, the near-colluding political authorities, and the horrendous costs of remedies (the so-called packages) brought the age-long reputation of western capitalism to its knees. The US must rely on foreign capital (especially China, India, Russia and the Gulf/Arab States) to finance its huge deficits. Troubled European countries are now dealing with the IMF/World Bank. It is quite surreal.
Recently, David Cameron, the new British Prime Minister, went in search of Indian investors - India, its former colony! Well, we shall see more! And, why not? Most former colonies are the resource belts and strategic zones of the world. They provided the hunting grounds for the Slave Trade in Africa, and for modern day Cheap/Child Labour for western multinationals. Just like America, Canada, Australia, Singapore and New Zealand, India is now a favourite destination for British FDI quests. No matter. More delegations from the West will follow. Let the East play and enjoy its role, its turn. We need each other!
The next destination is Africa. No question. Who knowest not? If you insist, let's share a few "whys": Raw materials and huge mineral and human resources, including a diverse and well-endowed Diaspora. 52 nations of a soon-One-Billion-souls market. By 2010, submarine broadband cables will surround Africa; by 2012, all of Africa will be “wired up” with the latest Internet Technology - bye to the sinful digital divide! In the next 5 years, ICT will explode in Africa; in the following 5 years, Africa will be a new frontier - it will create, re-create, generate and service its own unique needs. The GSM Revolution in Africa is on the home stretch, dovetailing into its Data successor.
With the global agitation and heightened crusading against corruption, including some tough actions and heart-warming repudiations from the West - traditional safe-havens for Third World looting - African leaders are sitting up. This is freeing its resources for its development. More importantly, the West is helping Africa hunt down its looters - rightly so! If the East follows suit - we're sure China/India/Russia will bond on this - soon, there'll be no hiding space for these betrayers. ASEAN must join the EU in this regard. As the new Obama initiative brings in NAFTA, the noose tightens. With the help of the UN and Brazil, as well as the new Africa-South America Summit & Treaty, that region will soon be hostile to Africa's looters and plunderers.
When Africa begins concerted value-added industrial, agro-allied and mineral production, and the emerging leadership and governance transformation takes inexorable hold, it will deal as it is dealt - building on the Eastern example. It will not be long.
The moral: Repair past damages! Be partners, not plunderers! Court, not cut, Africa - it will hurt both ways! Have the past ways changed yet? Are old habits hibernating? Are global think tanks reading the real radars? We wonder.
As the next Frontier, maybe the Final Frontier, for global geopolitical positioning, may world leaders read their maps right, and each country cast their every vote right. The facts have spoken.
Thursday, October 07, 2010
This Infrastructure Matter
Over the decades we have worried and wondered why our peoples in Africa are "so near yet so far apart!". Why, the question or poser persists. We are to call on foreigners all the time to ferry us to our own brethren "next door"! It matters alright but not to those "who matter"!
Can somebody tell "them" to LINK UP our dear continent, please? If they need any lessons, any model, any conscience, let them look in the Europe they so visit - and cherish.
Link Up AFRICA!
Can somebody tell "them" to LINK UP our dear continent, please? If they need any lessons, any model, any conscience, let them look in the Europe they so visit - and cherish.
Link Up AFRICA!
Monday, October 04, 2010
Heart-felt Apology
Anyone who knows Nigeria and Nigerians knows that we are very passionate about our dear nation, and go the extra mile to mull over her. We will not be put down or held down. Ask the colonialists, ask the military, ask the Third Termists! Read up on the Nigeria vs Niger Delta conundrum. Ask the so-called "cabal" that held our late President Yar'Adua and his regime by the jugular! Just to add a more current scent, ask our soccer (mis)representatives - the Super Eagles (?) – to the just-concluded FIFA World Cup in South Africa: For earning us such a poor grade, and not rising to the challenge of making Africa proud in the first-ever mundial on African soil, they are being roasted! This, despite our criminal and incriminating absence of focus, bad and improper coordination, the palpable fraud in sports administration - not unlike everywhere else - late and inadequate preparation, and an ageing squad!!
Followers of this site may recall my passion and commitment when all was well. So, for me to be off - sort of AWOL - all these months is the most painful and depressing blow my country has dealt me thus far. Recall, dear friends, that we've had hitches and glitches before: Internet Access wahala. And the usual apologies followed. However, this time, it became very clear that there was a plot to "under-DIGITALize" the nation! The official national carrier, NITEL, had been "cornered" along with SAT-3, the submarine cable. As my preferred ISP and Nigeria's Internet backbone, we have been virtually crippled in the last 20+ months! I got very angry and decided to await the Glo-1 and Main One submarine cables being deployed by some great patriots Mike Adenuga (I told you before) and Fola Adeola (founder of GTB Bank) + Ms Opeke (a Telecoms Amazon). I will revisit this subject sometime soon.
If it cost these firms less than US$1.5bn to land their cables in West Africa, we could have wired up the Whole of Africa with US$5bn a few years back. Yet, Nigeria paid over US$15bn to exit her so-called "external debt", to the London and Paris Clubs of Creditors!! Algeria, Angola, Egypt, Libya, Nigeria & South Africa should have paid US$5bn to put their continent on a 21st Century Internet pedestal, under the proud auspices of the African Union. It would have been easier, cheaper and faster. Thank God for our conscientious compatriots and their likes around Africa, and within the African Diaspora.
Returning to my blogs, and remaining online, was my only condition for re-subscribing to any ISP. I have used most of what was on offer, and, along with other nationals, the story has been sad. So sad. Since you are reading this, it means I'm fairly confident I now have a good deal. Well, I hope!
My apologies to you all. If you had any lashes for my back for going AWOL, spare them: I've groaned under the harshest possible punishment: not being able to "speak" with you, "share" with you, in this privileged and enthralling zone of our Online Commons!!
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Jubilee Knocks!
Thank God from both big and small mercies! I am writing with great gratitude myself, as with my
dear country Nigeria, for resuming my blogs on the eve of our Fiftieth Independence Anniversary.
Details will follow on why and how I've been off. But I apologize sincerely.
As I write, there is optimism in the air and in my own heart. If we cannot speak for the past, we can certainly play a worthy part in the plans for the future. These are indeed challenging times, exciting times, momentous moments.
Your humble blogger shall do his bit. May God's Plan be fulfilled for country and citizen in Jesus' Name. Amen.
dear country Nigeria, for resuming my blogs on the eve of our Fiftieth Independence Anniversary.
Details will follow on why and how I've been off. But I apologize sincerely.
As I write, there is optimism in the air and in my own heart. If we cannot speak for the past, we can certainly play a worthy part in the plans for the future. These are indeed challenging times, exciting times, momentous moments.
Your humble blogger shall do his bit. May God's Plan be fulfilled for country and citizen in Jesus' Name. Amen.
Thursday, October 04, 2007
The New EU-Africa Partnership: Any?...New??
Question: Is there any partnership?
Poser: What was the gain in the expired Lome Conventions (from ACP-EEC/EU)?
Hint: Can we paint da pain of the extant Cotonou Agreement (ACP-EU)?
Enquiry: What is new about the current Africa-Europe Partnership, when both the AU and EU are acting as usual - shutting out the people?
Mystery I: Do politicians have pathological problems with "people-power", after pocketing da people's votes? In the year of our Lord 2007?
Mystery II: Are civil servants becoming "civil masters" after pocketing da people's pay? In the light of the power, popularity, and the rise & rise of civil society?
Truly amazing!
BACKGROUND
Let's have some small historical/situational background to this matter. Basically, the West is trying to wake-up and jerk up in the face of the so-called "Chinese" (and read: Indian & Asian) invasion of Africa - essentially for raw materials, eventually for trade expansion, and ultimately for global influence. Period. the West is merely responding to a real & perceived threat!
Otherwise, why was Africa undermined, underdeveloped and abandoned all theses decades? Is the continent not Europe's nearest neighbour? And historical staging post! But for the Chinese, will the Suez Canal today be back in Egypt's hands? But for European safe havens, will African leaders have found home for looted funds and other resources?
Yes, African leaders/rulers sucked up to the divide-and-rule policies and tactics of the West for so long. That was why none of the previous development assistance packages succeeded. Not the Lome Conventions. Not the even the current Cotonou Agreement. They were all programmed to fail, it seems! And many crusaders, experts and commentators - on both continents! - so charge. Well...
The brain drain, like the slave trade before it, blatantly favour the West. Bilateral trade is the same - with raw materials/commodities leaving Africa with no value added - and resold to it in hard currency as manufactures. Even for low technology items! The IMF/World Bank and both the Paris and London Clubs' loans simply went down the drains, mostly ending up in the West as looted wealth by mindless leaders!! Agriculture and Industry were deliberately neglected so the continent may be and remain a dumping ground!!!
Africa was borrowing to purchase, instead of borrowing to produce! And the sad debt trap subsists.
THE EMERGING DAWN
Happily, new leaders are rising on both continents. And the BRIC countries have jolted the world into long overdue consciousness, in the light of which neither Europe nor Africa can be or remain da same again!
One of the enlightening elements must be the vast chasm that has characterised both the meaning of "terrorism" and the means of fighting it. Notably after 9/11. Particularly on Iraq. Traditional allies have disagreed. Citizens and crusaders have disapproved. And the world be now at a crossroads!
With strong voter-power and the power of civil society, things are changing. The new leaders are becoming more realistic and parliaments more pragmatic. The EU, having enlarged, has now become more independent and forceful. In the US, for example, the Democrats now control the congress and oversight has become very vigorous, rigorous and even acrimonious. No matter.
One more enlightening element is the apparent routing of the neo-conservatives and their hold on the Bush White House. Taboo subjects are being unravelled, scandals are everywhere, and the Katrina mess is still with us! For the first time in US history, presidential election is being soap-boxed almost two years ahead of voting day, with everyone distancing themselves from the incumbent. What a revelation!
Africa is getting more democratic, and its new leaders more realistic. This is why they are more choosy, becoming more non-aligned, and even looking more and to the East. As for the citizens of this continent, they see no concrete economic benefit in the traditional and historical bonds with the West. In less than SIX years the world, led by the West, has spent trillions of dollars on the so-called war on terror. It has also lost lots of lives on all sides, making racial and religious intolerance one of the defining pains of modern immigration today! How much did we need to tackle POVERTY, which is at once one of da root causes of both immigration and terrorism?
We now have emerging leaders and a discerning global media that can move the world in this new direction. Hope rising!
THE NEW EU-AFRICA PARTNERSHIP STRATEGY
Many critics have torn the extant frameworks and agreements to shreds on both continents. It is sad, but a good sign. If the past efforts were good enough, they would not have brought both parties to this pass. The worst culprit had been the EU-ACP one. Only recently, the Director General of the Secretariat expressed serious reservations over the ongoing overdue/overdrawn negotiations for renewal and restructuring. Many others have no better assessment.
Recently, the EU Trade Commissioner criticised both Nigeria and South Africa for stalling the current rounds of negotiations on the so-called EPAs. Well, the AU doesn't think the old regime of divide-and-rule should subsist. All future dealings should be on equal footing. How can any party have a problem with that?
Europe and Africa, in a multipolar and multilateral world have huge possibilities and an amazing spectrum of mutually beneficial reservoir of resources. Europe has technology and finance, and Africa has human and natural resources. How can any party have a problem in combining these and joining forces for win-win outcomes? Yes, both have options: EU can go to other equally resource-rich regions, notably South America, but will contend with stiffer competition from the traditional and emerging forces/players there. Then the distance! Africa can go to the equally finance-rich regions, notably Asia, but will also contend with both competition and concerns about neo-colonialism and new imperialist exploitation. Then the distance! Both parties should simply get sensible and serious, and enjoy the precious gems of both worlds. And, yet, also play the best of other worlds as a golden bonus! This be the rational view.
Radical Action & Fresh Building Blocks
We must be prepared to think deep and far to make a new partnership work, and be worth its salt. Not much of the past commends or recommends itself. Previous deals have been too bland and too lopsided to work. Now we need bolder, better and balanced deals. Period.
1) De-couple Africa from ACP the "Cotonou Agreement" (CA)
Africa should withdraw from the "ACP block" arrangement in the CA because we have little in common with the political, economic or geographic activities/realities of either the Caribbean or Pacific regions. And we do not need the agreement or a European auspices to engage with our diaspora - which, in any case, extends beyond the two regions. All EU-Africa dealings should be collapsed into NEPAD and other exclusive platforms and instruments.
The gains of this move are are as self-made as they are apparent. The CA is dead. It should be buried. For the new partnership to work, Africa must not be diluted. The EU is one block, so is the AU. Period. This will clear out, in one fell swoop, all the bureaucratic and political bottlenecks and the ever present temptations to play the diverse ACP countries/regions against each other in power manipulations! It will definitely cut costs, quicken decision making, and secure impact of EU assistance to the three regions. This unbundling has been long overdue! No question.
2) Establish a "Brain Drain Mitigation" Compact
To make the present harmful brain drain a less painful phenomenon than the slave trade, and a better managed reality of our times, we need to formally acknowledge and harness it for the good of all. From science to soccer, academia to athletics, experts to inventors, Africa's brightest and best are in the West. Mutuality is the key.
A mitigation compact will help both continents harvest this critical resource for sustainable development. A credible census and user-friendly databank should foreground a golden basket of investments, aid, technical assistance, trade and exchange instruments/platforms for targeted interventions.
This compact should enrich the formulation of a futuristic "millennium immigration policy" for the West, beginning with Europe. We must find a way of moving people around the globe, just as we move capital, materials and services. The EU and AU must now lead the way.
3) Millennium Immigration Policy....Europe-Africa Migration (EAM)
Both continents must be honest enough to acknowledge that the immigration question is both pain and gain. Like the US, the EU should make a samba and a song of the huge contributions of the so-called "foreigners" to its economy. We do not hear enough of that, and do not hear that enough! The AU should openly acknowledge the huge benefits that home remittances of African immigrants bring to its economy, in these hard and parlous times. We do not hear enough of that, and do not hear that enough! Yes, it is a win-win of sorts.
Yet, the strains are there: Europeans feel "invaded" and "depleted of their resources". Africans feel "humiliated" and "unappreciated for their huge contributions". It is a lose-lose of sorts. The horrendous costs of illegal immigration (in EU resources/image and African lives/AU image) must now be converted into gains.
EAM should cover the following, among others:
* New labour needs, including Europe's demographic challenges
* Creative visa regimes
* Re-population of rural-Europe through strategic deployment of immigrants
* Vacation & Short-term Employment
* Work Experience & Placement Services
* EAM Job Centres with official scouts and head-hunters
* Returning-Residents package
* Self-employment & Professional Services Card
* Seniors Exchange Programme/Active Retirees
* Skills & Languages Training/Capacity Building, including satellite campuses
* EAM Volunteers Scheme
* EAM Guest Workers Programme
* Taxation
4) E-A Grand Alumni....Bonds beyond Words, Links beyond Frontiers!
We ought be baffled how less we use the various "former-this" & "ex-thats", spanning schools, business, diplomacy, charity, sports, religion(clergy/missionaries), professions, security services and media!
E-A Grand will be a multilevel platform to pool & pull the huge human resources, institutional relationships and organic multisectoral/multinational liaisons forged by expatriates, students, fellows and trainees - on both continents - over the decades.
From this pool we can do amazing things: People-to-People facilitation, investment drive, clever forward & backward-integration schemes, payback-give back protfolios, mobilisation on topical issues and UN Global Thematics. The possibilities are enchanting, exciting and endless!
5) Empower "Non-State" Actors (NSAs)
For decades all foreign aids and loans have gone to the state in Africa. Even foreign scholarships and fellowships were monopolised and hoarded by the bureaucrats and politicians. You got them only if you worked for government! Or were owned by government. I should know because I was the very first private sector recipient of the prestigious and highly coveted UK Chevening Scholarship Awards 20 years ago. It changed my life, and career! I was fortunate.
There are many many persons, companies and organisations whose dreams, ideas and projects would have helped change our countries, continent - even the world! - if they were not denied access to the huge foreign aid/loans ultimately squandered/looted by our governments. Pity.
NSAs must be what it says: any person or entity that is not the state. The Non Governmental players and stakeholders in Europe and Africa. Once they are sufficiently empowered, creative and courageous "oversight" and constant monitoring & evaluation will evolve and subsist. Value added governance will flower and thrive in Africa within a decade.
6) Liberate The Press & Liberalise ICT
Jointly, the EU and AU must ensure and enforce the Freedom of Information Law in all nations within the new partnership. This will strengthen the press in Africa, and further secure civil, human and people's rights across the continent. It will tighten the noose around dictators and corrupt leaders/politicians. Democracy cannot be taken for granted in these climes!
Next is to eliminate the so-called "digital divide" by collapsing costs, deploying solar & wind power for energy supply, expanding telecoms coverage/penetration, and tying specific funding to this intervention.
7) Subject New Partnership to...Gender Audit & Youth-Impact Tests
Both in compliance with UN Global Thematics and response to our demographic challenges, all aspects of the new regime of cooperation must be women & youth-friendly. It is self-elucidating case, an inexorable force.
8) Trans-African Infrastructure...10-Year Fast-Tracked Intervention
Inevitably, a robust commitment to Africa's economic & integration infrastructure must undergird any new EU-AU Partnership. Trans-African roads, railways, energy and maritime
infrastructure must be built....for economic advancement (to create jobs/wealth and eradicate poverty) and regional integration (to foster harmony and eradicate conflicts/wars).
An expedited 10-year agenda, catalysed by governments and powered by the private sector, is recommended and a sure bet. See the huge progress being made by GSM operators.
TODAY'S AFRICA IS READY FOR CHANGE.... RADICAL CHANGE!
With the friends and global goodwill this continent now attracts, and the pain felt by her large diaspora, our people are ready to take the bull by the horn. In Nigeria, for example, citizens feel utterly embarrassed, disgusted and agitated about the unpardonable levels of corruption, crime, underdevelopment and poverty. Citizen-Action is afoot! Other countries are doing same.
Happily, the peer review mechanism of NEPAD, the power of democracy and the Mo Ibrahim prize for leadership and good governance be a salutary convergence of potent forces for change. We are fully convinced that many African leaders are now credible agents of change. In a word, Africa is ready, able and willing to make and embrace change - real change.
EUROPE IS RICH ENOUGH TO ACT.....TODAY!
You know, when we tally the huge resources at the disposal of European governments and their private sectors, one cannot but agree with the Make Poverty History coalitions that we do not need to wait one more day to act...in support of Africa.
Look at the billions being flaunted in corporate mergers, consider the huge sums being written off in subprime and other financial losses/misadventures, see what has been and is being spent on the so-called war on terror, imagine the level of resources dedicated to illegal immigration! All these indicate one thing: Europe is generously/lavishly endowed with the wherewithal (as in technology, expertise, logistics and finance) to jointly lift Africa from poverty to prosperity! And there are huge profits plus healthy/sustainable returns to be gained by the private sector here. No question at all. So, folks, let's do it.
TOWARDS LISBON ....December 2007
The preparations for the EU-AU Summit set for Lisbon, Portugal, in December 2007 have been rather intriguing and lopsided. Not many in Africa know anything about the issues or content of the coming deal; and the summit seems overshadowed by the "Mugabe Invitation" debate! We, in Africa, are not robustly engaging in the process. Information is scant and, as usual, politicians and civil servants are failing our peoples. The media on both continents obviously have better things to do than dwell on the new partnership nitty gritty! The historical disconnect, apathy and gulf persist.
I can however report the valiant efforts of a northern organisation, the European Centre for Development Policy and Management (EDCPM), through which I get free briefings on the whole exercise. I have not found a comparable African player in the south! Check them out at http://www.ecdpm.org/ and be informed! Certainly the AU has a lot to learn from the EU. This, alas, is catch-up time!
JUMP-START & LEAPFROG with new MEDIA CAMPAIGN
There should be no pretence about the fact that this new partnership process is undermined by an apparent absence of popular participation. We must now get the media on board through an ambitious and wide-spread campaign on both continents, particularly in Africa. If well-managed and sustained, stakeholders and citizens will participate robustly. We must worry about the gap.
A NOTE ON WESTERN "HYPOCRITICAL" CONDITIONALITIES!
From the perhaps altruistic and certainly moralistic historical pedestal of the war on despots and dictators, the West regressively succumbed to embracing them unashamedly aorund the globe! My country, Nigeria, is a good example. Our crude oil is so "sweet" and natural gas so plentiful that western governments and their blue-eyed oil companies gleefully did business with every military regime for 30 YEARS! And both the London/Paris Clubs and IMF/World Bank lent bashfully and unconscionably (without accountability, transparency or any value added) to the despots! Oh, one small point: the safe haven for the loots? Well...in da WEST.
This pattern is repeated and replicated in Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Eastern Europe. It is worst in Africa.
Now that we are starting afresh, the EU should abandon this hypocrisy. It was always a poorly veiled excuse to do nothing, or keep those nations down. Why does the West sell huge arms and luxury goods to the dictators, lend them huge sums to import consumer goods, but never cared about the people's voices or votes?
Poser: What was the gain in the expired Lome Conventions (from ACP-EEC/EU)?
Hint: Can we paint da pain of the extant Cotonou Agreement (ACP-EU)?
Enquiry: What is new about the current Africa-Europe Partnership, when both the AU and EU are acting as usual - shutting out the people?
Mystery I: Do politicians have pathological problems with "people-power", after pocketing da people's votes? In the year of our Lord 2007?
Mystery II: Are civil servants becoming "civil masters" after pocketing da people's pay? In the light of the power, popularity, and the rise & rise of civil society?
Truly amazing!
BACKGROUND
Let's have some small historical/situational background to this matter. Basically, the West is trying to wake-up and jerk up in the face of the so-called "Chinese" (and read: Indian & Asian) invasion of Africa - essentially for raw materials, eventually for trade expansion, and ultimately for global influence. Period. the West is merely responding to a real & perceived threat!
Otherwise, why was Africa undermined, underdeveloped and abandoned all theses decades? Is the continent not Europe's nearest neighbour? And historical staging post! But for the Chinese, will the Suez Canal today be back in Egypt's hands? But for European safe havens, will African leaders have found home for looted funds and other resources?
Yes, African leaders/rulers sucked up to the divide-and-rule policies and tactics of the West for so long. That was why none of the previous development assistance packages succeeded. Not the Lome Conventions. Not the even the current Cotonou Agreement. They were all programmed to fail, it seems! And many crusaders, experts and commentators - on both continents! - so charge. Well...
The brain drain, like the slave trade before it, blatantly favour the West. Bilateral trade is the same - with raw materials/commodities leaving Africa with no value added - and resold to it in hard currency as manufactures. Even for low technology items! The IMF/World Bank and both the Paris and London Clubs' loans simply went down the drains, mostly ending up in the West as looted wealth by mindless leaders!! Agriculture and Industry were deliberately neglected so the continent may be and remain a dumping ground!!!
Africa was borrowing to purchase, instead of borrowing to produce! And the sad debt trap subsists.
THE EMERGING DAWN
Happily, new leaders are rising on both continents. And the BRIC countries have jolted the world into long overdue consciousness, in the light of which neither Europe nor Africa can be or remain da same again!
One of the enlightening elements must be the vast chasm that has characterised both the meaning of "terrorism" and the means of fighting it. Notably after 9/11. Particularly on Iraq. Traditional allies have disagreed. Citizens and crusaders have disapproved. And the world be now at a crossroads!
With strong voter-power and the power of civil society, things are changing. The new leaders are becoming more realistic and parliaments more pragmatic. The EU, having enlarged, has now become more independent and forceful. In the US, for example, the Democrats now control the congress and oversight has become very vigorous, rigorous and even acrimonious. No matter.
One more enlightening element is the apparent routing of the neo-conservatives and their hold on the Bush White House. Taboo subjects are being unravelled, scandals are everywhere, and the Katrina mess is still with us! For the first time in US history, presidential election is being soap-boxed almost two years ahead of voting day, with everyone distancing themselves from the incumbent. What a revelation!
Africa is getting more democratic, and its new leaders more realistic. This is why they are more choosy, becoming more non-aligned, and even looking more and to the East. As for the citizens of this continent, they see no concrete economic benefit in the traditional and historical bonds with the West. In less than SIX years the world, led by the West, has spent trillions of dollars on the so-called war on terror. It has also lost lots of lives on all sides, making racial and religious intolerance one of the defining pains of modern immigration today! How much did we need to tackle POVERTY, which is at once one of da root causes of both immigration and terrorism?
We now have emerging leaders and a discerning global media that can move the world in this new direction. Hope rising!
THE NEW EU-AFRICA PARTNERSHIP STRATEGY
Many critics have torn the extant frameworks and agreements to shreds on both continents. It is sad, but a good sign. If the past efforts were good enough, they would not have brought both parties to this pass. The worst culprit had been the EU-ACP one. Only recently, the Director General of the Secretariat expressed serious reservations over the ongoing overdue/overdrawn negotiations for renewal and restructuring. Many others have no better assessment.
Recently, the EU Trade Commissioner criticised both Nigeria and South Africa for stalling the current rounds of negotiations on the so-called EPAs. Well, the AU doesn't think the old regime of divide-and-rule should subsist. All future dealings should be on equal footing. How can any party have a problem with that?
Europe and Africa, in a multipolar and multilateral world have huge possibilities and an amazing spectrum of mutually beneficial reservoir of resources. Europe has technology and finance, and Africa has human and natural resources. How can any party have a problem in combining these and joining forces for win-win outcomes? Yes, both have options: EU can go to other equally resource-rich regions, notably South America, but will contend with stiffer competition from the traditional and emerging forces/players there. Then the distance! Africa can go to the equally finance-rich regions, notably Asia, but will also contend with both competition and concerns about neo-colonialism and new imperialist exploitation. Then the distance! Both parties should simply get sensible and serious, and enjoy the precious gems of both worlds. And, yet, also play the best of other worlds as a golden bonus! This be the rational view.
Radical Action & Fresh Building Blocks
We must be prepared to think deep and far to make a new partnership work, and be worth its salt. Not much of the past commends or recommends itself. Previous deals have been too bland and too lopsided to work. Now we need bolder, better and balanced deals. Period.
1) De-couple Africa from ACP the "Cotonou Agreement" (CA)
Africa should withdraw from the "ACP block" arrangement in the CA because we have little in common with the political, economic or geographic activities/realities of either the Caribbean or Pacific regions. And we do not need the agreement or a European auspices to engage with our diaspora - which, in any case, extends beyond the two regions. All EU-Africa dealings should be collapsed into NEPAD and other exclusive platforms and instruments.
The gains of this move are are as self-made as they are apparent. The CA is dead. It should be buried. For the new partnership to work, Africa must not be diluted. The EU is one block, so is the AU. Period. This will clear out, in one fell swoop, all the bureaucratic and political bottlenecks and the ever present temptations to play the diverse ACP countries/regions against each other in power manipulations! It will definitely cut costs, quicken decision making, and secure impact of EU assistance to the three regions. This unbundling has been long overdue! No question.
2) Establish a "Brain Drain Mitigation" Compact
To make the present harmful brain drain a less painful phenomenon than the slave trade, and a better managed reality of our times, we need to formally acknowledge and harness it for the good of all. From science to soccer, academia to athletics, experts to inventors, Africa's brightest and best are in the West. Mutuality is the key.
A mitigation compact will help both continents harvest this critical resource for sustainable development. A credible census and user-friendly databank should foreground a golden basket of investments, aid, technical assistance, trade and exchange instruments/platforms for targeted interventions.
This compact should enrich the formulation of a futuristic "millennium immigration policy" for the West, beginning with Europe. We must find a way of moving people around the globe, just as we move capital, materials and services. The EU and AU must now lead the way.
3) Millennium Immigration Policy....Europe-Africa Migration (EAM)
Both continents must be honest enough to acknowledge that the immigration question is both pain and gain. Like the US, the EU should make a samba and a song of the huge contributions of the so-called "foreigners" to its economy. We do not hear enough of that, and do not hear that enough! The AU should openly acknowledge the huge benefits that home remittances of African immigrants bring to its economy, in these hard and parlous times. We do not hear enough of that, and do not hear that enough! Yes, it is a win-win of sorts.
Yet, the strains are there: Europeans feel "invaded" and "depleted of their resources". Africans feel "humiliated" and "unappreciated for their huge contributions". It is a lose-lose of sorts. The horrendous costs of illegal immigration (in EU resources/image and African lives/AU image) must now be converted into gains.
EAM should cover the following, among others:
* New labour needs, including Europe's demographic challenges
* Creative visa regimes
* Re-population of rural-Europe through strategic deployment of immigrants
* Vacation & Short-term Employment
* Work Experience & Placement Services
* EAM Job Centres with official scouts and head-hunters
* Returning-Residents package
* Self-employment & Professional Services Card
* Seniors Exchange Programme/Active Retirees
* Skills & Languages Training/Capacity Building, including satellite campuses
* EAM Volunteers Scheme
* EAM Guest Workers Programme
* Taxation
4) E-A Grand Alumni....Bonds beyond Words, Links beyond Frontiers!
We ought be baffled how less we use the various "former-this" & "ex-thats", spanning schools, business, diplomacy, charity, sports, religion(clergy/missionaries), professions, security services and media!
E-A Grand will be a multilevel platform to pool & pull the huge human resources, institutional relationships and organic multisectoral/multinational liaisons forged by expatriates, students, fellows and trainees - on both continents - over the decades.
From this pool we can do amazing things: People-to-People facilitation, investment drive, clever forward & backward-integration schemes, payback-give back protfolios, mobilisation on topical issues and UN Global Thematics. The possibilities are enchanting, exciting and endless!
5) Empower "Non-State" Actors (NSAs)
For decades all foreign aids and loans have gone to the state in Africa. Even foreign scholarships and fellowships were monopolised and hoarded by the bureaucrats and politicians. You got them only if you worked for government! Or were owned by government. I should know because I was the very first private sector recipient of the prestigious and highly coveted UK Chevening Scholarship Awards 20 years ago. It changed my life, and career! I was fortunate.
There are many many persons, companies and organisations whose dreams, ideas and projects would have helped change our countries, continent - even the world! - if they were not denied access to the huge foreign aid/loans ultimately squandered/looted by our governments. Pity.
NSAs must be what it says: any person or entity that is not the state. The Non Governmental players and stakeholders in Europe and Africa. Once they are sufficiently empowered, creative and courageous "oversight" and constant monitoring & evaluation will evolve and subsist. Value added governance will flower and thrive in Africa within a decade.
6) Liberate The Press & Liberalise ICT
Jointly, the EU and AU must ensure and enforce the Freedom of Information Law in all nations within the new partnership. This will strengthen the press in Africa, and further secure civil, human and people's rights across the continent. It will tighten the noose around dictators and corrupt leaders/politicians. Democracy cannot be taken for granted in these climes!
Next is to eliminate the so-called "digital divide" by collapsing costs, deploying solar & wind power for energy supply, expanding telecoms coverage/penetration, and tying specific funding to this intervention.
7) Subject New Partnership to...Gender Audit & Youth-Impact Tests
Both in compliance with UN Global Thematics and response to our demographic challenges, all aspects of the new regime of cooperation must be women & youth-friendly. It is self-elucidating case, an inexorable force.
8) Trans-African Infrastructure...10-Year Fast-Tracked Intervention
Inevitably, a robust commitment to Africa's economic & integration infrastructure must undergird any new EU-AU Partnership. Trans-African roads, railways, energy and maritime
infrastructure must be built....for economic advancement (to create jobs/wealth and eradicate poverty) and regional integration (to foster harmony and eradicate conflicts/wars).
An expedited 10-year agenda, catalysed by governments and powered by the private sector, is recommended and a sure bet. See the huge progress being made by GSM operators.
TODAY'S AFRICA IS READY FOR CHANGE.... RADICAL CHANGE!
With the friends and global goodwill this continent now attracts, and the pain felt by her large diaspora, our people are ready to take the bull by the horn. In Nigeria, for example, citizens feel utterly embarrassed, disgusted and agitated about the unpardonable levels of corruption, crime, underdevelopment and poverty. Citizen-Action is afoot! Other countries are doing same.
Happily, the peer review mechanism of NEPAD, the power of democracy and the Mo Ibrahim prize for leadership and good governance be a salutary convergence of potent forces for change. We are fully convinced that many African leaders are now credible agents of change. In a word, Africa is ready, able and willing to make and embrace change - real change.
EUROPE IS RICH ENOUGH TO ACT.....TODAY!
You know, when we tally the huge resources at the disposal of European governments and their private sectors, one cannot but agree with the Make Poverty History coalitions that we do not need to wait one more day to act...in support of Africa.
Look at the billions being flaunted in corporate mergers, consider the huge sums being written off in subprime and other financial losses/misadventures, see what has been and is being spent on the so-called war on terror, imagine the level of resources dedicated to illegal immigration! All these indicate one thing: Europe is generously/lavishly endowed with the wherewithal (as in technology, expertise, logistics and finance) to jointly lift Africa from poverty to prosperity! And there are huge profits plus healthy/sustainable returns to be gained by the private sector here. No question at all. So, folks, let's do it.
TOWARDS LISBON ....December 2007
The preparations for the EU-AU Summit set for Lisbon, Portugal, in December 2007 have been rather intriguing and lopsided. Not many in Africa know anything about the issues or content of the coming deal; and the summit seems overshadowed by the "Mugabe Invitation" debate! We, in Africa, are not robustly engaging in the process. Information is scant and, as usual, politicians and civil servants are failing our peoples. The media on both continents obviously have better things to do than dwell on the new partnership nitty gritty! The historical disconnect, apathy and gulf persist.
I can however report the valiant efforts of a northern organisation, the European Centre for Development Policy and Management (EDCPM), through which I get free briefings on the whole exercise. I have not found a comparable African player in the south! Check them out at http://www.ecdpm.org/ and be informed! Certainly the AU has a lot to learn from the EU. This, alas, is catch-up time!
JUMP-START & LEAPFROG with new MEDIA CAMPAIGN
There should be no pretence about the fact that this new partnership process is undermined by an apparent absence of popular participation. We must now get the media on board through an ambitious and wide-spread campaign on both continents, particularly in Africa. If well-managed and sustained, stakeholders and citizens will participate robustly. We must worry about the gap.
A NOTE ON WESTERN "HYPOCRITICAL" CONDITIONALITIES!
From the perhaps altruistic and certainly moralistic historical pedestal of the war on despots and dictators, the West regressively succumbed to embracing them unashamedly aorund the globe! My country, Nigeria, is a good example. Our crude oil is so "sweet" and natural gas so plentiful that western governments and their blue-eyed oil companies gleefully did business with every military regime for 30 YEARS! And both the London/Paris Clubs and IMF/World Bank lent bashfully and unconscionably (without accountability, transparency or any value added) to the despots! Oh, one small point: the safe haven for the loots? Well...in da WEST.
This pattern is repeated and replicated in Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Eastern Europe. It is worst in Africa.
Now that we are starting afresh, the EU should abandon this hypocrisy. It was always a poorly veiled excuse to do nothing, or keep those nations down. Why does the West sell huge arms and luxury goods to the dictators, lend them huge sums to import consumer goods, but never cared about the people's voices or votes?
Each Block Their Bane! Both Africa and the West have their varying share of corruption, scandals and crime. For 13 years now in a row, the Court of Audits has refused to sign off on the EU Commissions accounts! That's unsettling. We recall also that, for years, there have been a zillion questions and queries on the EEC-ACP/EU-ACP regimes, including allegations of fraud, mismanagement and failures. It is time the EU frontally tackles the legendary web of opaqueness and celebrated complexities in its rules, policies, processes, systems and practices. The audit queries must be confronted and cleared NOW. They diminish Europe's moral standing and its global image.
Alas, the US is faring no better. The latest series of its Government Accountability Office reports are damning and chilling. So are numerous other findings, official or independent. From porks to contracts, policies to practices, Iraq to Katrina, roads to medicare, schools to churches, and Wall Street to Main Street, it is scandals and frauds galore! The american media is having a roll on the politicians. A web of class-action suits hovers all over, even as shareholders tackle the execs. Insurance companies are cutting corners while homeowners and pensioners are at their wits' end! Mind boggling stuff.
Bottom line? We all have work to do on corruption, accountability and good governance. And I do accept that the most work is on our side in Africa. At least in the West, the system works: In most cases, you get caught or outed, and you get punished. The AU has a lot to learn from both the US and EU. No question.
CONCLUSION
Europe and Africa are closer in all ways, it is hard to comprehend the distance and disconnect that characterise their extant relations. The truth be told, the two continents are drifting apart! There is hubris, there is rebuff, there is blackmail, there is resentment, there is mutual distrust. And these are pervading both official and unofficial realms. Too bad. Now is the turn of visionary leadership. This be the time for creative, proactive and innovative action - led by courageous actors. Overdue. Can Lisbon show da way?
My take on this new endeavour is this: By all means let's have a new partnership. But let's now craft it in the likeness/image of our peoples and our lands. Let's circumscribe the realities and then subscribe to a joint future of profitable mutuality. In doing so, economic empowerment through trade & investment must lead the pack, power the pact. Do this, and watch our peoples flourish. The setting is right, and the signs are good.
Welcome to tomorrow!
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
New Economy: Bring Back Our Old Bankers!
We've made many many mistakes in the past. We've done many faddish and rash things. We've copied ALL da wrong things and deferred too many right things. We've now come to da crunch: Where do we go from here?
Forwards, I scream! So, let's start with the economy. Nigeria has committed itself to a rigorous agenda: To become one of the world's Top 20 economies by the year 2020! Great. It will do so by, among other things, using the Financial Services Sector to drive the programme. Great. Or, is it? Yes, if the banks can rise up to the plate!
So, I have some thoughts...
Let's start with some enquiries: Some very basic questions on house-keeping, order and sanity. Mainly preparatory stuff most people can easily digest:
1) In Nigeria, is banking a profession, vocation or occupation?
2) Which laws and bodies ensure its utmost professionalism?
3) What are the official and unofficial levels of bad-debts and frauds?
4) What are the lessons of the consolidation exercise?
5) Have we done the SWOT Analysis of ALL the NEW banks, post-consolidation?
6) How many staff does each have, and how many are professional bankers?
7) What is the success level of their cards and e-banking forays?
8) What lessons from 1-7 above for branch banking?
9) Do they uphold the rudiments of banks' historical anchors: agric-finance, trade-finance, mortgage-finance, micro-finance and SME-development?
10) Where are we in women banking and youth enterprises - which were so promising before?
11) What are the annual numbers of qualified bankers from the CIBN "production line"!?
12) What are banks doing about capacity building, and getting their staff to become ACIBs?
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Bankers Committee, The Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) and the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) have all spoken out on the dearth of professionalism in the financial services sector, especially the in banks! Last week, the senate president reiterated this lament!! A visit to our banking hall will tell you just how poorly the levels have sunk!!!
Things are very very bad. Most of the staff have no idea what banking is. Many are "financial illiterates". You are told things by rote, not by reason or rationality! An independent survey is now inevitable - to shove da mirror in our face, as it were!
Global Warning...on Skilled Labour:
Anyone with enough attentiveness will hear the endless lament about shortages of good quality manpower in most developed economies, the rich world. People are living longer, and the baby boomers are staying healthier. In places like Japan and Russia as well as some European states, the populations are aging faster than they can replace/replenish the work force! The youths in many cases are abandoning their home towns and villages, sometimes countries, for good!
All these are informing and driving immigration policy around the world. Now, most developing nations are the hunting grounds of the rich countries for skilled labour! Professionals from doctors to nurses, from ICT experts to chemical engineers, from university dons to microfinance practitioners, are now joining masons and beauty therapists in da New Brain Drain!
Hallo hallo, even Eastern Europe (ask Poland!) is been drained by the West!!
Clever companies and governments are recalling old hands, delaying retirement or extending the mandatory age limits, even as many countries are now incentivising employers and citizens alike, to address the problem. France's cabinet is currently working on its own major shake up: expected to be bold and revolutionary!
But here in Africa, our people are complacent. Nigerian leaders were busy retrenching, sacking and re-sizing staff, from both public & private sectors, without adequate preparations or quality succession, in the last eight years! In a depressed economy, health and education plunge. So is it with Nigeria. Our system is churning out half-baked graduates and unskilled professionals. The youth service scheme has been virtually paralysed by lack of funds and scandalously diminished placement/posting opportunities: companies are folding up, governments are downsizing. What a double blow!
It be from this milieu, dear thinker, that we are just crawling - after the damning shame of da last elections - hoping to regroup, recoup and rebuild. Where then are the professionals that will staff and sustain the banking system? And thus help da financial services sector drive and power the economy to its 20-20-20 summit?? Big question.
Trusting Nigerians and the me-too mentality of our public officials, the new policy of using microcredits/microfinance to drive the anti-poverty agenda and power wealth creation through MSMEs, will witness a proliferation of schemes and sorrows pretty soon. Every government, every excellency, every NGO, every community will soon start its own bank or scheme! Very little thoughts will be given to sustainability and success, especially the issue of professionalism.
The Global Dimension
Crisis is in the air! The US subprime mortgage crisis is creating ripples around the world. This week, the UK will know if the Northern Rock, its No.5 mortgage bank, will survive the run on it!
One reason the world financial system is now quaking is because all sorts of fancy products and services, including predatory financial engineering, have crept into - if not taken over! - banking.
People are simply figure-crunching, bundling & unbundling sterile assets, securitising strange & questionable mortgages, and refinancing an opaque miasma of debts & equities, with amazing ease and at da speed of light! Real banking is about PEOPLE. These days it's about FIGURES!
Very strange, indeed.
Hedge Funds have happened upon us like a thief in the night, and we are all wondering what hit us! Even the G8 found it too hot an issue to touch, let alone tackle, at its last meeting!! When this
remorseless but exciting phenomenon runs its course or "curse", may it not cost us in blood and tears!!! We warn, we pray.
Which is why the sensible call for Nigerian banks to recruit from the international labour market must be heeded with caution, and handled with care. We must recruit, but we must produce the bulk of our manpower in the long-run.
Part of the Solution...is...Past Players & Old Bankers!
To achieve some measure of sanity and stability, the banking system must seek out and bring back old hands: These are qualified professional bankers, experienced former staff, and former lecturers in banking & finance.
Once they are in good health and of no criminal records, re-hire them and retrain them fast! It will be magical what this will do for the sector.
WARNING!!!
If the banks delay, may someone tell them that the microcredit hawks are both in the running and swooning! Trouble is, when those ones politically mushroom and vocationally wither, we will still be stuck with da real banks - warts and all!
Forwards, I scream! So, let's start with the economy. Nigeria has committed itself to a rigorous agenda: To become one of the world's Top 20 economies by the year 2020! Great. It will do so by, among other things, using the Financial Services Sector to drive the programme. Great. Or, is it? Yes, if the banks can rise up to the plate!
So, I have some thoughts...
Let's start with some enquiries: Some very basic questions on house-keeping, order and sanity. Mainly preparatory stuff most people can easily digest:
1) In Nigeria, is banking a profession, vocation or occupation?
2) Which laws and bodies ensure its utmost professionalism?
3) What are the official and unofficial levels of bad-debts and frauds?
4) What are the lessons of the consolidation exercise?
5) Have we done the SWOT Analysis of ALL the NEW banks, post-consolidation?
6) How many staff does each have, and how many are professional bankers?
7) What is the success level of their cards and e-banking forays?
8) What lessons from 1-7 above for branch banking?
9) Do they uphold the rudiments of banks' historical anchors: agric-finance, trade-finance, mortgage-finance, micro-finance and SME-development?
10) Where are we in women banking and youth enterprises - which were so promising before?
11) What are the annual numbers of qualified bankers from the CIBN "production line"!?
12) What are banks doing about capacity building, and getting their staff to become ACIBs?
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Bankers Committee, The Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) and the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) have all spoken out on the dearth of professionalism in the financial services sector, especially the in banks! Last week, the senate president reiterated this lament!! A visit to our banking hall will tell you just how poorly the levels have sunk!!!
Things are very very bad. Most of the staff have no idea what banking is. Many are "financial illiterates". You are told things by rote, not by reason or rationality! An independent survey is now inevitable - to shove da mirror in our face, as it were!
Global Warning...on Skilled Labour:
Anyone with enough attentiveness will hear the endless lament about shortages of good quality manpower in most developed economies, the rich world. People are living longer, and the baby boomers are staying healthier. In places like Japan and Russia as well as some European states, the populations are aging faster than they can replace/replenish the work force! The youths in many cases are abandoning their home towns and villages, sometimes countries, for good!
All these are informing and driving immigration policy around the world. Now, most developing nations are the hunting grounds of the rich countries for skilled labour! Professionals from doctors to nurses, from ICT experts to chemical engineers, from university dons to microfinance practitioners, are now joining masons and beauty therapists in da New Brain Drain!
Hallo hallo, even Eastern Europe (ask Poland!) is been drained by the West!!
Clever companies and governments are recalling old hands, delaying retirement or extending the mandatory age limits, even as many countries are now incentivising employers and citizens alike, to address the problem. France's cabinet is currently working on its own major shake up: expected to be bold and revolutionary!
But here in Africa, our people are complacent. Nigerian leaders were busy retrenching, sacking and re-sizing staff, from both public & private sectors, without adequate preparations or quality succession, in the last eight years! In a depressed economy, health and education plunge. So is it with Nigeria. Our system is churning out half-baked graduates and unskilled professionals. The youth service scheme has been virtually paralysed by lack of funds and scandalously diminished placement/posting opportunities: companies are folding up, governments are downsizing. What a double blow!
It be from this milieu, dear thinker, that we are just crawling - after the damning shame of da last elections - hoping to regroup, recoup and rebuild. Where then are the professionals that will staff and sustain the banking system? And thus help da financial services sector drive and power the economy to its 20-20-20 summit?? Big question.
Trusting Nigerians and the me-too mentality of our public officials, the new policy of using microcredits/microfinance to drive the anti-poverty agenda and power wealth creation through MSMEs, will witness a proliferation of schemes and sorrows pretty soon. Every government, every excellency, every NGO, every community will soon start its own bank or scheme! Very little thoughts will be given to sustainability and success, especially the issue of professionalism.
The Global Dimension
Crisis is in the air! The US subprime mortgage crisis is creating ripples around the world. This week, the UK will know if the Northern Rock, its No.5 mortgage bank, will survive the run on it!
One reason the world financial system is now quaking is because all sorts of fancy products and services, including predatory financial engineering, have crept into - if not taken over! - banking.
People are simply figure-crunching, bundling & unbundling sterile assets, securitising strange & questionable mortgages, and refinancing an opaque miasma of debts & equities, with amazing ease and at da speed of light! Real banking is about PEOPLE. These days it's about FIGURES!
Very strange, indeed.
Hedge Funds have happened upon us like a thief in the night, and we are all wondering what hit us! Even the G8 found it too hot an issue to touch, let alone tackle, at its last meeting!! When this
remorseless but exciting phenomenon runs its course or "curse", may it not cost us in blood and tears!!! We warn, we pray.
Which is why the sensible call for Nigerian banks to recruit from the international labour market must be heeded with caution, and handled with care. We must recruit, but we must produce the bulk of our manpower in the long-run.
Part of the Solution...is...Past Players & Old Bankers!
To achieve some measure of sanity and stability, the banking system must seek out and bring back old hands: These are qualified professional bankers, experienced former staff, and former lecturers in banking & finance.
Once they are in good health and of no criminal records, re-hire them and retrain them fast! It will be magical what this will do for the sector.
WARNING!!!
If the banks delay, may someone tell them that the microcredit hawks are both in the running and swooning! Trouble is, when those ones politically mushroom and vocationally wither, we will still be stuck with da real banks - warts and all!
Let's Budget for the Media...(Press as Fourth Estate)
Am I stirring something? Yes. But only to the myopic or misbelieving! The 21st century is about change, and is about to change EVERYTHING! Believe.
Democracy is believed to be about choice, human rights, votes and good governance. Fine. So, it is firmly anchored on the 3-Arms (parliament, executive, judiciary). And in most cases, stood on the 3-Levels (federal, region/province/state, local/county). Then, finally, comes the Press (holding government and our leaders accountable). So, we say: the FOUR Estates of the Realm.
Nothing new in that civics lesson, right? Fine.
In all nations, we budget for the first THREE and let the FOURTH fend for itself - unless, of course, it is publicly-owned. Well, most of the world's press - from newspapers to radio stations and television houses - were government organs before not too long ago. Many many still are. But things are changing fast.
Known facts, right? Fine.
In a way, therefore, we can argue that we actually budgeted for the Fourth! Fair. Hey, but are government-owned media free and able to HOLD government and leaders ACCOUNTABLE? Don't kid us, folks. Go in search...
So, here is the real beef:
The media have evolved in many ways, will transform in even more ways, and the INTERNET will make things more challenging, if exciting, in the years ahead. While being able to inform, educate and entertain, the media must still constitutionally HOLD us all ACCOUNTABLE in the end. So, as we privatise for efficiency and effectiveness, we must support DEMOCRACY and sustain GOOD GOVERNANCE. That portion of media costs must have our imprint - our collective imprint.
I propose that every nation, every democracy, provides for this TASK by GRANT-aiding their MEDIA Houses. It is a simple matter: let us do so in the same manner we happily funded them when they were owned by government, except that we now must work out the criteria for eligibility, accountability and responsibility. Then, write the laws to bind us all.
Very easy, right?
Well, we fund political parties through some formulae, don't we? We finance civil society and multilateral agencies somehow, don't we? So, let's work out the very best, innovative, ambitious and constitutional way of funding the MEDIA - the very FOURTH Estate of our Realm!
A national trust, an independent 5-yearly bond, treasury cheques, tax credits, or...
For Africa, this be a goldmine for democracy!
Democracy is believed to be about choice, human rights, votes and good governance. Fine. So, it is firmly anchored on the 3-Arms (parliament, executive, judiciary). And in most cases, stood on the 3-Levels (federal, region/province/state, local/county). Then, finally, comes the Press (holding government and our leaders accountable). So, we say: the FOUR Estates of the Realm.
Nothing new in that civics lesson, right? Fine.
In all nations, we budget for the first THREE and let the FOURTH fend for itself - unless, of course, it is publicly-owned. Well, most of the world's press - from newspapers to radio stations and television houses - were government organs before not too long ago. Many many still are. But things are changing fast.
Known facts, right? Fine.
In a way, therefore, we can argue that we actually budgeted for the Fourth! Fair. Hey, but are government-owned media free and able to HOLD government and leaders ACCOUNTABLE? Don't kid us, folks. Go in search...
So, here is the real beef:
The media have evolved in many ways, will transform in even more ways, and the INTERNET will make things more challenging, if exciting, in the years ahead. While being able to inform, educate and entertain, the media must still constitutionally HOLD us all ACCOUNTABLE in the end. So, as we privatise for efficiency and effectiveness, we must support DEMOCRACY and sustain GOOD GOVERNANCE. That portion of media costs must have our imprint - our collective imprint.
I propose that every nation, every democracy, provides for this TASK by GRANT-aiding their MEDIA Houses. It is a simple matter: let us do so in the same manner we happily funded them when they were owned by government, except that we now must work out the criteria for eligibility, accountability and responsibility. Then, write the laws to bind us all.
Very easy, right?
Well, we fund political parties through some formulae, don't we? We finance civil society and multilateral agencies somehow, don't we? So, let's work out the very best, innovative, ambitious and constitutional way of funding the MEDIA - the very FOURTH Estate of our Realm!
A national trust, an independent 5-yearly bond, treasury cheques, tax credits, or...
For Africa, this be a goldmine for democracy!
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Building & Construction In Nigeria: Create New Firms
PART I.......(HOUSING)
Now that the nation has seen the emptiness and hypocrisy of the past, it is time to take our destiny in our hands, anew!
There are too few players in Nigeria's construction business. And it is still very lacking in local content and indigenous investment. Over the years, corruption has kept our own people from winning major contracts from our own governments! As is being reported from Europe and the United States, many multinationals simply bribe their way to sumptuous and salacious contracts in the third world, including Nigeria. In the bidding, if there was bidding, no local entrepreneur stood a chance in heaven or hell! In several cases, the foreigners procure "local" businessmen and politicians as puppets - to beat indigenisation policies or affirmative action.
No transfer of technology or know-how ever takes place, and no reinvestment either - profits are repatriated, over-invoicing be state-of-da-play, and the multinational simply smile to their bank in an orgy of obscene capital flight!!!
For decades now, Nigeria has been a dishonourable showcase and unpatriotic case-study in this regard. The advent of democratic governance held so much promise for change. But, alas, our politicians at all levels out-competed themselves in furthering the shameful practice, and often introduced mind-boggling varieties that have baffled our development partners, friends and anti-graft agencies!!!
The RESULT? Collapse of national infrastructure. Collapse of local contractors. Loss of pride. Unemployment. Upsurge in crimes. Social and Economic Discontent. Decline in national capacity. High import dependency. Inflation. Sick national currency. More corruption. Etc. Etc.
A NEW BEGINNING
I believe in borrowing and buying for abroad. We are in a global village. And it is impossible for Nigeria to develop otherwise. So, here is how we may proceed...
a) To tackle our HOUSING challenges, create 109 Burnt Bricks Firms/Factories - one per senatorial district - that will make us proudly use local materials
b) To provide all our wood-products/materials create 3 Mega Sawmills per LGA at raw material sources nationwide, plus 12 Furniture & Fittings Firms/Factories per state
c) Encourage states to invest in cement production, especially in the raw material zones
d) Create 1 Mega Paints Manufacturer per state
e) Create 1 Mega Nails & Binders Manufacturer per geo-political zone
f) Create 1 Mega Roofing Materials Firm/Factory per geo-political zone
g) Create 1 Mega Electrical Materials Firm/Factory per geo-political zone
h) Create 1 Mega Plumbing Materials & Pipes Manufacturer per geo-political zone
i) For marbles, stones, sand, granite, etc., each state should license quarries and micro-miners
j) Establish 12 Integrated Full-range Solar Energy Manufacturing Firms/Factories
k) Create 12 Mega Home Appliances & Office Equipment Manufacturers nationwide
l) Each Zone should establish a World Class Joint Venture for Full-range Construction/Building Equipment Assembly/Manufacture (6 nationwide)
To operationalise all these, international joint ventures with local majority stakes and foreign technical partners/investors is the way - especially from Asia and South America. Successful Family Businesses from Europe and North America should also be attracted. Only "born-again" multinationals should be considered!!!
FUNDING DA DEAL!
Our 25 (so far) consolidated banks should return every 3 years to the capital market for cheap equity cash. Right now, we should design a unique matrix of syndicated loans and MSME JVs, including new and specific incentives, to fund the deals.
The federal government will, on behalf of Nigeria, invest US$10bn in a special trust fund to drive the portfolio.
State governments will, on behalf of their people, invest between Naira 10-20bn in special mortgage trusts to drive the housing agenda.
If well done, I suggest that in just 10 Years we will be exporting housing, expertise, products and prosperity to our African Brethren!
Now that the nation has seen the emptiness and hypocrisy of the past, it is time to take our destiny in our hands, anew!
There are too few players in Nigeria's construction business. And it is still very lacking in local content and indigenous investment. Over the years, corruption has kept our own people from winning major contracts from our own governments! As is being reported from Europe and the United States, many multinationals simply bribe their way to sumptuous and salacious contracts in the third world, including Nigeria. In the bidding, if there was bidding, no local entrepreneur stood a chance in heaven or hell! In several cases, the foreigners procure "local" businessmen and politicians as puppets - to beat indigenisation policies or affirmative action.
No transfer of technology or know-how ever takes place, and no reinvestment either - profits are repatriated, over-invoicing be state-of-da-play, and the multinational simply smile to their bank in an orgy of obscene capital flight!!!
For decades now, Nigeria has been a dishonourable showcase and unpatriotic case-study in this regard. The advent of democratic governance held so much promise for change. But, alas, our politicians at all levels out-competed themselves in furthering the shameful practice, and often introduced mind-boggling varieties that have baffled our development partners, friends and anti-graft agencies!!!
The RESULT? Collapse of national infrastructure. Collapse of local contractors. Loss of pride. Unemployment. Upsurge in crimes. Social and Economic Discontent. Decline in national capacity. High import dependency. Inflation. Sick national currency. More corruption. Etc. Etc.
A NEW BEGINNING
I believe in borrowing and buying for abroad. We are in a global village. And it is impossible for Nigeria to develop otherwise. So, here is how we may proceed...
a) To tackle our HOUSING challenges, create 109 Burnt Bricks Firms/Factories - one per senatorial district - that will make us proudly use local materials
b) To provide all our wood-products/materials create 3 Mega Sawmills per LGA at raw material sources nationwide, plus 12 Furniture & Fittings Firms/Factories per state
c) Encourage states to invest in cement production, especially in the raw material zones
d) Create 1 Mega Paints Manufacturer per state
e) Create 1 Mega Nails & Binders Manufacturer per geo-political zone
f) Create 1 Mega Roofing Materials Firm/Factory per geo-political zone
g) Create 1 Mega Electrical Materials Firm/Factory per geo-political zone
h) Create 1 Mega Plumbing Materials & Pipes Manufacturer per geo-political zone
i) For marbles, stones, sand, granite, etc., each state should license quarries and micro-miners
j) Establish 12 Integrated Full-range Solar Energy Manufacturing Firms/Factories
k) Create 12 Mega Home Appliances & Office Equipment Manufacturers nationwide
l) Each Zone should establish a World Class Joint Venture for Full-range Construction/Building Equipment Assembly/Manufacture (6 nationwide)
To operationalise all these, international joint ventures with local majority stakes and foreign technical partners/investors is the way - especially from Asia and South America. Successful Family Businesses from Europe and North America should also be attracted. Only "born-again" multinationals should be considered!!!
FUNDING DA DEAL!
Our 25 (so far) consolidated banks should return every 3 years to the capital market for cheap equity cash. Right now, we should design a unique matrix of syndicated loans and MSME JVs, including new and specific incentives, to fund the deals.
The federal government will, on behalf of Nigeria, invest US$10bn in a special trust fund to drive the portfolio.
State governments will, on behalf of their people, invest between Naira 10-20bn in special mortgage trusts to drive the housing agenda.
If well done, I suggest that in just 10 Years we will be exporting housing, expertise, products and prosperity to our African Brethren!
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Youth-Power for Nigeria's Rural Development
The raging and rightly emotive debate cum controversy over the National Youth Service Corps (in which graduates plus their equivalents do a compulsory one-year service for country) can be understood. It is the culmination of the abject neglect of our future generations, which is all too manifest in Africa's brand of (mis)governance.
Just as they know not what to do with our other resources (owned and loaned or aids!) the ruling class use, misuse, undermine and underrate our teeming young population. Sad.
Now to some refreshing actionable ideas:
LGs, Here Come The YOUTHS!
All participants of the scheme should be deployed to Local Governments nationwide. Nowhere else. Their task? To provide invaluable manpower for community, rural and sustainable development. Their reward? Knowing Nigeria, serving Nigeria at grassroots level - proudly and measurably. And for the LGs? Free and massive human capital paid for by the nation!
Put them to qualitative use, and transform your domain...and our land...dramatically!!!
See Who They Are!
The youth corpers are engineers, medical doctors, specialists, teachers, geologists, geographers, lawyers, nurses, economists, philosophers, caterers, artists, dramatists, aviators, agriculturists, nutritionists, sailors, administrators, designers, journalists, security experts, etc., etc., etc. Free of charge!
Many will go on to the proverbial brain-drain, some to higher studies here, some to other jobs, most into unemployment! The point is: use this gift while it comes, and lasts. In the fullness of time, the scheme will help build the bedrock for poverty removal, wealth creation, peace and prosperity.
Each week, as I post my thesis, we shall see how.
Keep a date.
Just as they know not what to do with our other resources (owned and loaned or aids!) the ruling class use, misuse, undermine and underrate our teeming young population. Sad.
Now to some refreshing actionable ideas:
LGs, Here Come The YOUTHS!
All participants of the scheme should be deployed to Local Governments nationwide. Nowhere else. Their task? To provide invaluable manpower for community, rural and sustainable development. Their reward? Knowing Nigeria, serving Nigeria at grassroots level - proudly and measurably. And for the LGs? Free and massive human capital paid for by the nation!
Put them to qualitative use, and transform your domain...and our land...dramatically!!!
See Who They Are!
The youth corpers are engineers, medical doctors, specialists, teachers, geologists, geographers, lawyers, nurses, economists, philosophers, caterers, artists, dramatists, aviators, agriculturists, nutritionists, sailors, administrators, designers, journalists, security experts, etc., etc., etc. Free of charge!
Many will go on to the proverbial brain-drain, some to higher studies here, some to other jobs, most into unemployment! The point is: use this gift while it comes, and lasts. In the fullness of time, the scheme will help build the bedrock for poverty removal, wealth creation, peace and prosperity.
Each week, as I post my thesis, we shall see how.
Keep a date.
I Am Sorry!
Please forgive me for not posting on this site all this while. We were all messed up here by our ISP, for several months! I apologise.
Now back, and with so much going on worldwide, I promise to do real catch-up with some very daring proposition.
Please bear with me
Now back, and with so much going on worldwide, I promise to do real catch-up with some very daring proposition.
Please bear with me
Sunday, February 11, 2007
"Fruit-Security" in Africa
Every time I watch TV or travel abroad, I have always wondered about how fruits play such an important role in nutrition and wellness yet we, in fertile Africa, remain largely undernourished!
Indeed, lots of African women and children are malnourished! Where are all the agric budgets, all the foreign loans, all the development aid & grants, all the FAO help, all the IFAD funding, etc. etc. etc.??? Gone with the winds to....you know where!
We in Nigeria, for example, can certainly produce a large chunk of the needed fruits on our own continent, and still profitably export to the world. But just come around and see the huge waste in the form of post-harvest losses in our largely subsistent farming environment! It is really such a shame that after EIGHT years of both democracy and unprecedented oil & gas revenues, no one has paid due attention to this mess. Nigerians are hungry at both personal and family levels. Big pity. Poverty in the midst of plenty! This must change. From this year. Yes.
I am not now complaining anymore. No use. What I propagate is a massive intervention in the area of Fruit-Security for our citizens, our compatriots on the continent, and the huge market abroad. I ask all who can farm to do so now. And I invite the local governments to ignore both their state as well as the federal governments in the question of agro-allied business, and just work with their own residents! Attract them, cajole them, coax them, command them, reward them: do what it takes. And do it fast. Very fast.
I'm teaming up with some development colleagues to see how we can learn from, and bring in, partners from successful Asian and East European countries. After the April elections, we will reach out to Local Government Chairmen nationwide (and there are 774 of them!) to pursue a Citizens' Compact in this regard. If a mere 30% of them play ball, we're in business! Good and timely business. In time, others and the moribund private sector will join the train.
Enough is finally enough!
Technorati Profile
Indeed, lots of African women and children are malnourished! Where are all the agric budgets, all the foreign loans, all the development aid & grants, all the FAO help, all the IFAD funding, etc. etc. etc.??? Gone with the winds to....you know where!
We in Nigeria, for example, can certainly produce a large chunk of the needed fruits on our own continent, and still profitably export to the world. But just come around and see the huge waste in the form of post-harvest losses in our largely subsistent farming environment! It is really such a shame that after EIGHT years of both democracy and unprecedented oil & gas revenues, no one has paid due attention to this mess. Nigerians are hungry at both personal and family levels. Big pity. Poverty in the midst of plenty! This must change. From this year. Yes.
I am not now complaining anymore. No use. What I propagate is a massive intervention in the area of Fruit-Security for our citizens, our compatriots on the continent, and the huge market abroad. I ask all who can farm to do so now. And I invite the local governments to ignore both their state as well as the federal governments in the question of agro-allied business, and just work with their own residents! Attract them, cajole them, coax them, command them, reward them: do what it takes. And do it fast. Very fast.
I'm teaming up with some development colleagues to see how we can learn from, and bring in, partners from successful Asian and East European countries. After the April elections, we will reach out to Local Government Chairmen nationwide (and there are 774 of them!) to pursue a Citizens' Compact in this regard. If a mere 30% of them play ball, we're in business! Good and timely business. In time, others and the moribund private sector will join the train.
Enough is finally enough!
Technorati Profile
Africa-South America Partnership: Diaspora Task
Our sons and daughters in the two Diasporas must wake up to the 21st century challenges confronting both continents. We have what it takes, we know what our peoples need, it's time for ACTION!
Now that our leaders have opened the way with the first-ever summit in Abuja last year, we do owe our mother-continents everything we've attained and achieved.
As a first step, you guys should set up a "Contact Group" to work on the joint communique from the Abuja Summit. All our diplomatic missions in the other continents should also get together at country level, and at regional/continental level.
I enjoin the existing Diaspora Associations or Networks to kick-start things right away. The Summit Secretariat has it work cut out for it in this regard as well.
Let's hear and see the long overdue fireworks!
Technorati Profile
Now that our leaders have opened the way with the first-ever summit in Abuja last year, we do owe our mother-continents everything we've attained and achieved.
As a first step, you guys should set up a "Contact Group" to work on the joint communique from the Abuja Summit. All our diplomatic missions in the other continents should also get together at country level, and at regional/continental level.
I enjoin the existing Diaspora Associations or Networks to kick-start things right away. The Summit Secretariat has it work cut out for it in this regard as well.
Let's hear and see the long overdue fireworks!
Technorati Profile
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Research-AFRICA: R & D for ENERGY
I've watched German and Chinese TV channels overtime with awe and pain at once! The efforts, pains-takingness, costs and pride with which they pursue, promote and preserve their national development and heritage are simply astounding. I've read endlessly about Japan and South Korea: their leadership in cutting-edge technology without trashing their rich culture! I've also followed the resurgent pride with which old India is emerging as a sure-footed super-power. Oh, these folks just thrill me! Then Brazil: its industrial prowess and huge energy strides. Now, it is proudly a member of the celebrated, if dreaded, "BRIC" block (Brazil, Russia, India, China)! Wow.
Whither Africa? That is my question, and quest, each and every time. And it hurts and thrills at once! I know that a few countries can do same solo but we better do things jointly from now on: The African Team - The African Way!
With the combined human, natural and financial resources at their disposal, Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Algeria and Libya should lead the way right away.
Day One is about Research and Development (R&D).
Day One is about our skilled souls, heads and hands both Home & Diaspora.
Day One starts with ENERGY in all its ramifications, especially RENEWABLE sources.
Kick-starting this intervention must naturally be SOLAR, HYDRO and WIND energy supply for both the continent and the world. I am thrilled by the vast expanse of deserts, mountains and waters within our territories as well as the rich untapped and under-utilised agro-spaces. Our ecology and geography are awe-inspiring, breath-taking and exotic! Why waste them?
See what the Libyan President did with channeling water from the Mediterranean (8th Wonder of the World, it was dubbed)! Come to Nigeria and see what a wonder the Tinapa Project of our Cross River State is: a tourism master-stroke by a youthful visionary governor!
Part of my concern is the plight of poorer African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries. Many of them also have our links to the rather docile Commonwealth of Nations. If we act sensibly and courageously, we can pull these countries out of poverty, and up with us all. I am particularly worried about their energy bills - in the face of crippling oil/gas prices. How do they cope?!!
With the SIX listed African countries putting in a billion US dollars each, we can get the private sector to match the grant for this intervention: somewhere between 12 and 20 billion dollars will spin surprises in this project. And that's not an arm and a leg, is it?
Let's sign the cheques!
Whither Africa? That is my question, and quest, each and every time. And it hurts and thrills at once! I know that a few countries can do same solo but we better do things jointly from now on: The African Team - The African Way!
With the combined human, natural and financial resources at their disposal, Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Algeria and Libya should lead the way right away.
Day One is about Research and Development (R&D).
Day One is about our skilled souls, heads and hands both Home & Diaspora.
Day One starts with ENERGY in all its ramifications, especially RENEWABLE sources.
Kick-starting this intervention must naturally be SOLAR, HYDRO and WIND energy supply for both the continent and the world. I am thrilled by the vast expanse of deserts, mountains and waters within our territories as well as the rich untapped and under-utilised agro-spaces. Our ecology and geography are awe-inspiring, breath-taking and exotic! Why waste them?
See what the Libyan President did with channeling water from the Mediterranean (8th Wonder of the World, it was dubbed)! Come to Nigeria and see what a wonder the Tinapa Project of our Cross River State is: a tourism master-stroke by a youthful visionary governor!
Part of my concern is the plight of poorer African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries. Many of them also have our links to the rather docile Commonwealth of Nations. If we act sensibly and courageously, we can pull these countries out of poverty, and up with us all. I am particularly worried about their energy bills - in the face of crippling oil/gas prices. How do they cope?!!
With the SIX listed African countries putting in a billion US dollars each, we can get the private sector to match the grant for this intervention: somewhere between 12 and 20 billion dollars will spin surprises in this project. And that's not an arm and a leg, is it?
Let's sign the cheques!
Re: Foreign Air Fares
Kudos to Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode for setting up an investigations committee into the unfair air fares charged Nigerians by foreign airlines! It's been an imperialistic racket of sorts, and a betrayal of the tenets & beauty of competitive market forces. All patriotic African governments should act right now! Neither Europe nor the US will permit such aberrations.
An additional kudos to the youthful minister for calling the airlines to order on the shabby and despicable manner some of them treat Nigerian Travellers! The press reports on these cases have been as chilling as they have been disgusting. For airlines making a "killing" on Nigerian routes, it is simply scandalous to tolerate such heist. Where is quality assurance and where is customer care?
In this regard, to both help the airlines and respect our nation, the minister should institute a compulsory passenger assessment card to be checked/ticked by all travellers on all flights and delivered into secure drop-boxes. Initial period: 24 months. After that, randomly in league with tourism authorities. This should cover both arrival and departure operations and services.
While it took all of EIGHT years for this "reforming" and "privatizing" administration to see the rip-offs and disrespect, let's just say "better late than never". Pray, let justice be done.
The panel reports in about 3 weeks. Good.
And we wait.
An additional kudos to the youthful minister for calling the airlines to order on the shabby and despicable manner some of them treat Nigerian Travellers! The press reports on these cases have been as chilling as they have been disgusting. For airlines making a "killing" on Nigerian routes, it is simply scandalous to tolerate such heist. Where is quality assurance and where is customer care?
In this regard, to both help the airlines and respect our nation, the minister should institute a compulsory passenger assessment card to be checked/ticked by all travellers on all flights and delivered into secure drop-boxes. Initial period: 24 months. After that, randomly in league with tourism authorities. This should cover both arrival and departure operations and services.
While it took all of EIGHT years for this "reforming" and "privatizing" administration to see the rip-offs and disrespect, let's just say "better late than never". Pray, let justice be done.
The panel reports in about 3 weeks. Good.
And we wait.
Friday, January 19, 2007
The AU and ECOWAS Challenge
My firm belief is that Nigeria owes the Black World (thru' the African Union, AU) and our West African brethren (thru' ECOWAS) sincere and committed leadership. It is trite to say our future is intertwined and inseparable. We should learn from the EU.
By some stroke of oil & gas we are in a position to do so much and so soon if we have the political and moral will. We should set up mini and medium refineries and energy facilities in the five or six strategic zones of the continent. This will help drive sustainable development and ameliorate the obscene poverty and human sufferings sweeping and seeping through the region.
Nigeria must swiftly act to boost agriculture continent-wide by employing the Youths & Women of Africa. Putting US$5bn to work over the next three years will take care of food insecurity and famine. We have IITA and other agencies to backstop such a laudable, overdue and inevitable intervention. Using our lands and waters for the good of one and the world is a task that must be done! We have no business begging for food aid in this fertile area of the planet. It's a needless shame which we can, should and must STOP! Yes.
Finally, we must now devolve and decentralise both ECOWAS and the AU...to the PEOPLE of AFRICA. We must wrest them from the strangle-hold of the Establishment, bureaucrats and failed "Do-Little" politicians. Let the people own the instruments, and drive the renaissance.
The time is now!
By some stroke of oil & gas we are in a position to do so much and so soon if we have the political and moral will. We should set up mini and medium refineries and energy facilities in the five or six strategic zones of the continent. This will help drive sustainable development and ameliorate the obscene poverty and human sufferings sweeping and seeping through the region.
Nigeria must swiftly act to boost agriculture continent-wide by employing the Youths & Women of Africa. Putting US$5bn to work over the next three years will take care of food insecurity and famine. We have IITA and other agencies to backstop such a laudable, overdue and inevitable intervention. Using our lands and waters for the good of one and the world is a task that must be done! We have no business begging for food aid in this fertile area of the planet. It's a needless shame which we can, should and must STOP! Yes.
Finally, we must now devolve and decentralise both ECOWAS and the AU...to the PEOPLE of AFRICA. We must wrest them from the strangle-hold of the Establishment, bureaucrats and failed "Do-Little" politicians. Let the people own the instruments, and drive the renaissance.
The time is now!
Monday, December 25, 2006
Invest-Nigeria: Goldmines Galore!
In my catch-up work on this site, I shall soon commence a series on the vast opportunities for any serious investors in my country Nigeria. The windows are open and returns are just simply unbelievable! Huge.
The out-going Obasanjo Administration has set the regulatory and political framework that make our land an investors' haven. Just like most of Africa is aiming these days. Here is where to start from. Believe.
I am particularly keen on jobs, jobs, jobs! Getting our youths off the streets! And this, through entrepreneurship. So SMEs, micro projects, sustainable partnerships and some innovative green business will have my utmost attention. Most of Nigeria is simply and surprisingly "untapped"!
Then, my passion: Women Development - a half of our moon! We in Africa know what the power of our women is, especially within our collective livelihoods. But we must now formalise things, and do more strategic plus pragmatic mainstreaming. Lots of creative ideas will spring from this site. Bet.
2007 is bound to be exciting, folks...please, stay tuned!
Merry Christmas!
The out-going Obasanjo Administration has set the regulatory and political framework that make our land an investors' haven. Just like most of Africa is aiming these days. Here is where to start from. Believe.
I am particularly keen on jobs, jobs, jobs! Getting our youths off the streets! And this, through entrepreneurship. So SMEs, micro projects, sustainable partnerships and some innovative green business will have my utmost attention. Most of Nigeria is simply and surprisingly "untapped"!
Then, my passion: Women Development - a half of our moon! We in Africa know what the power of our women is, especially within our collective livelihoods. But we must now formalise things, and do more strategic plus pragmatic mainstreaming. Lots of creative ideas will spring from this site. Bet.
2007 is bound to be exciting, folks...please, stay tuned!
Merry Christmas!
Saturday, December 02, 2006
APOLOGY
Internet connections have been lousy here. For a Serial Blogger, it's been hell. That is why all my wild theorems and even wilder thoughts are yet to float on this site. I apologize. Sincerely.
But things are improving. So, this month I suspect we'll have a feast! No question. I am ready. And I'll find a way or some ways round the service betrayal. It's a promise.
Watch out!
But things are improving. So, this month I suspect we'll have a feast! No question. I am ready. And I'll find a way or some ways round the service betrayal. It's a promise.
Watch out!
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
World Airlines and AFRICA
I have never ceased to marvel at how African leaders unabashedly short-change our people. It is a long list: from looting and stashing our funds abroad to condoning degrading immigration and travel practices by their erstwhile colonial masters; from denying local contractors to killing indigenous entrepreneurship; from pushing academics to the wall to disincentivizing our vibrant Diaspora. We serve other lands, and damn our land! We import shamelessly and export little or mere commodities - scant value added. So, dear reader, Africa is the world's dumping ground - a veritable dust-bin!
Because public funds pay their fares and passage, our leaders and their crowd care not (perhaps, check not) how much it costs our people to fly, or to freight....at home and abroad.
Pray, how do you explain the outrageous disparities between the airfares to Africa and those to other world destinations? We know that from Europe to America (at least 9 hours) costs less than from Europe to Nigeria (about 6 hours)!!! So, what is this whole thing about NEPAD and its Development Partners which brings no benefits to the African masses? Where are the low-cost airlines? Why has the EU intervened in so many areas of pricing and business practices, as the US does in antitrust and price gouging, yet our own leaders look the other way?
Are the airlines bribing their way to the bank? After all, some of them are under investigation! Remember how the oil conglomerates soiled their hands in very sticky corrupt practices, and are now being probed by their home countries? What are African leaders still waiting for in the matter of tickets and freights? Should our people continue to bleed unabated? No!
Enter Virgin Atlantic. I know that the airline has yet to give Nigerians the much-anticipated low costs in air tickets. But I also know that Richard Branson saved the British masses from the tyranny and exploitative practices of the air travel cartel in the 1980's. He can and should lead the way in Africa, today. The collusion and exploitation in this sphere must be stopped. Now!
African airlines also need to get their act together. There should be urgent mergers, alliances and consolidation. Our continent is a profitable destination...especially Nigeria/ECOWAS. Why then should we not have vibrant and successful airlines, world class air business? Let our sons and daughters in the African Diaspora invest heavily in African airlines, and stop this crying shame. African pilots, like medical personnel, are in many successful airlines around the globe. Let them join the crusade. The time to act is NOW.
The present prices will make our continent unattractive for both internal and external tourism. If we act now, it will stimulate intra-African travels and trades, and help mobilize our peoples towards the FIFA World Cup, as fans and tourists, in South Africa 2010. As a continent full of potential and repeat pilgrims, lower fares will help our people with their faith-journeys' costs.
This is certainly a subject for the EU-ACP Cotonou Agreement. Europe, as usual, should step in to help stop the mindless exploitative practices which perpetuate poverty and retardation in the African continent. European airlines will be pursuing their enlightened self-interest if they were to proactively redress the matter by industry-action, as telecoms players are now doing with mobile phones' roaming charges within the EU.
If they don't, from the comprehensive debates now in the African media, they can count on new players in the near term. And new reality, too. Certainly in Nigeria, post-Elections 2007.
Qatar Airlines is a sensible model. And why not!
***wherever you go, you may find thoughts in my views or fun in my thoughts: www.versesforthemasses.blogspot.com
www.onoviranseries.blogspot.com
www.manifestoesnigeriafrom2007.blogspot.com
Because public funds pay their fares and passage, our leaders and their crowd care not (perhaps, check not) how much it costs our people to fly, or to freight....at home and abroad.
Pray, how do you explain the outrageous disparities between the airfares to Africa and those to other world destinations? We know that from Europe to America (at least 9 hours) costs less than from Europe to Nigeria (about 6 hours)!!! So, what is this whole thing about NEPAD and its Development Partners which brings no benefits to the African masses? Where are the low-cost airlines? Why has the EU intervened in so many areas of pricing and business practices, as the US does in antitrust and price gouging, yet our own leaders look the other way?
Are the airlines bribing their way to the bank? After all, some of them are under investigation! Remember how the oil conglomerates soiled their hands in very sticky corrupt practices, and are now being probed by their home countries? What are African leaders still waiting for in the matter of tickets and freights? Should our people continue to bleed unabated? No!
Enter Virgin Atlantic. I know that the airline has yet to give Nigerians the much-anticipated low costs in air tickets. But I also know that Richard Branson saved the British masses from the tyranny and exploitative practices of the air travel cartel in the 1980's. He can and should lead the way in Africa, today. The collusion and exploitation in this sphere must be stopped. Now!
African airlines also need to get their act together. There should be urgent mergers, alliances and consolidation. Our continent is a profitable destination...especially Nigeria/ECOWAS. Why then should we not have vibrant and successful airlines, world class air business? Let our sons and daughters in the African Diaspora invest heavily in African airlines, and stop this crying shame. African pilots, like medical personnel, are in many successful airlines around the globe. Let them join the crusade. The time to act is NOW.
The present prices will make our continent unattractive for both internal and external tourism. If we act now, it will stimulate intra-African travels and trades, and help mobilize our peoples towards the FIFA World Cup, as fans and tourists, in South Africa 2010. As a continent full of potential and repeat pilgrims, lower fares will help our people with their faith-journeys' costs.
This is certainly a subject for the EU-ACP Cotonou Agreement. Europe, as usual, should step in to help stop the mindless exploitative practices which perpetuate poverty and retardation in the African continent. European airlines will be pursuing their enlightened self-interest if they were to proactively redress the matter by industry-action, as telecoms players are now doing with mobile phones' roaming charges within the EU.
If they don't, from the comprehensive debates now in the African media, they can count on new players in the near term. And new reality, too. Certainly in Nigeria, post-Elections 2007.
Qatar Airlines is a sensible model. And why not!
***wherever you go, you may find thoughts in my views or fun in my thoughts: www.versesforthemasses.blogspot.com
www.onoviranseries.blogspot.com
www.manifestoesnigeriafrom2007.blogspot.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)