This public speakers' forum brought to you by Keynote Speakers, Inspirational Speakers, Celebrity Speakers, African American Speakers, Technology Speakers, Motivational Speaker, Conference Speakers, Graduation Speeches, Famous Speeches and Motivational Speeches.
Posted by oladele idowu on February 26, 2003 at 14:46:41:
In Reply to: NOW IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO EFFECT CHANGE IN NIGERIA posted by Odinkonigbo Jirinwayo Jude on November 09, 2002 at 13:36:41:
: Hi colleagues,
:
: It is obvious that our country has been bedevilled by corruption, nepotism, economic mismanagement and bad governance. Obasanjo’s regime has not shown any difference from that of Abacha: political violence, tribalism, bribing of law makers, offering poor masses broken promises etc. The litany of evil in the Nigerian society is innumerable-Oputa panel is an eye opener.
: Now! Which way Nigeria? I agree with Shedrack that all Nigerians abroad should go back home to help things work out. The greatest opportunity for our armchair critics living abroad has offered itself now. Yesterday, the Supreme Court of Nigeria revived the hope of Nigerians by ordering INEC to register more political parties, especially the political associations that could not scale through the INEC’s draconian guidelines. Therefore, I urge all well meaning Nigerians who are living abroad to quickly go home and help things work out. Emeagwali, the Bill Gate of Africa, and people who feel they could not operate in Nigeria because of the nature of their work should go home: for a patriot, no sacrifice is too much for a fatherland. I guess Mr. President wants to impose himself on Nigerians. A clarion call has been made by the well respected Patriots, ACF and Ohaneze Ndi Igbo that for the unity and oneness of Nigeria President Obasanjo should not exercise his so called “right” to come back the third time. Five-year term and rotational presidency have been recommended. I think they are good starting points. Some argue that rotational presidency encourages mediocrity and therefore undemocratic. The issue is that meanings and definitions of democracy vary. We cannot make wholesome importation of what works in another man’s land into ours. We have tried the American democracy and it is clear to everybody that it has led us nowhere. In a society where it has become a norm for a president or governor to only focus his/her developmental plans to his region without remembering that the entire country or state, as the case may be, is his/her constituency is a travesty of democracy. A country where many are refugees in their own country and the president cares less because it is not happening in his region is a travesty of democracy.
: A country where all the roads leading to the President’s political zone are tarred, while other areas are abandoned is a mockery of democracy. In August this year while I was travelling to the East from Lagos, I spent nine hours before I could get to Benin. That is a country where each Senator is bribed with Three million naira or more to drop impeachment motion against the President.
: Having said this, I think the way out is to press on the law makers to review our constitution and provide for the five year term, rotational presidency and other relevant amendments so that Nigeria could move forward. Our citizens living abroad are encouraged to go back home and press for these changes. Election is coming up soon, I hope it will be, our people are encouraged to go home and contest for elective positions. This will provide them the opportunity to implement what they have witnessed in some of the developed countries.