Its 'Port Highlife' Again

Starting from midnight to-nite, the city of Port Harcourt will start to reclaim its night life once more. Thanks to the end of year celebrations that will end with a 'watch night' service in various churches across the city. This event hopefully ends over four months of suspension of night activities following disturbances from political thugs.

With this development, residents can look forward to a rebirth of the city's well acclaimed hang-outs that gives the city its unique place in the country. I wish to congratulate all those who have been part of this decision and to encourage all citizens to determine with one voice to say 'never again'.

Happy New Year and lets be prepared for a more purposeful 2008.

Arrogantly Niaja

My Guy you have been quiet for some time. I had expected to see you at the Independence Gala Nite after that beautiful lecture on 'TINA Naija'.

Bros, you will recall a lot of waters have passed under the bridge. I decided not to contact you until events at the 'Change of Guards' ceremony taking place at the 'Brick House' have been concluded.

So what has been your observation? At least I know there is no longer lights out at 9 pm. Yes ! it does not matter that it has been shifted to 12 midnight - you guys are still capable of off loading a trailer load of larger and sending the empty bottles to the factory that same night. So why have remained so silent?

The hand over ceremony was well attended but we hear a lot of buzz and food were missing.

And the guests didn't have enough to eat and drink?

Haba Bros! Have you forgotten that this is the 'treasure base of the nation'? How can there ever be a glut in buzz? The black gold never runs dry otherwise how is it that your 'tommy' still maintains its super circumference?

I hope you have not started to be cheeky again? So what in your assessment of things on the ground?

There are a lot of motions no movement. Some bit of noise making but no music. Hope, faith and more hope for some sort of activity.

No! No! No! you are confusing me. And you sound a bit religious. Have joined them too?

No Bros, far from that. We are considering taking alternative paths.

But you said 'there is no alternative to Nigeria' a.k.a. TINA Naija. So why are you contradicting yourself? And you are speaking too much in parables. I'm getting worried. Are you sure you have not joined those people casting and binding evil spirits and demons?

Bros, the other options open to us is to begin to demonstrate how things can be done differently with the hope that the people at the Brick House can change the way they think and act accordingly.

But how are going to do that without resources? I mean money, men and materials?

Precisely, that is what we the people of this land - Naija - have in abundance. Our smartness, our generosity, our resourcefulness, our endurance, our beliefs, .....our courage and self confidence bothering on arrogance. No one can take these from us despite the current set back.

My guy I can't disagree with you. I do not underestimate the degree of your 'plastic patriotism'. But how can this be done in practical terms?

Bros, I would encourage you to visit one of the neighborhoods in the city of Port Highlife. Just ask anyone you see about the way to B&B jetty. At 'Farm Gate' junction turn left and follow the tarred road until you reach the entrance. Then have this conversation with the gate men. A visit will convict you.

What! Convict me? What for?

Sorry for the slip of inappropriate word. I mean confuse you. Sorry again. What I mean to say is that you will be convinced about options available to all of us and most importantly, you will have the opportunity to confirm all those 'strictly Naija' traits.

My Guy, nice talking to you and thank you for the food for thought. And do stay in touch.

Bros, Action - that is the new Naija way of doing things. No more slacking. e-don du.

There is No Alternative to Nigeria

My Guy, I have always known that you've got 'plastic patriotism' but what is this all about?

Bros, you are probably aware of what I'm going to tell you now. You see, my kind of job gets me to visit and actually live a few days in all parts of the country. I have noticed that in every State capital, when government workers' salaries are delayed for a few days, every succeeding day is like a Sunday.

What do you mean?

The days pass slowly in solemn contemplation.

You mean everyone prays? That is good, at least to usher in peace and more blessing to our dear land in the midst of terrorist anarchy everywhere in the world.

Far from it. When workers salaries are not paid the economies of these States begin to wind down. But as soon as the workers receive their pay - Bang! the States come alive.

What are you getting at?

None of the States can survive outside the THE HOME - Naija

Are you implying they are parasites?

No. They are symbiotic. Bros, I reckon you can still manage this 'O' level biology. Or perhaps you never went to this type of school. Let me explain. A symbiotic relationship is one that benefits both parties.

So what is the relationship of this biology to what you are saying?

Good. You see all the ethnic nationalities need this place called HOME - Nigeria - not only to survive but to prosper. Apart from that they need it to be 'great'. Take for example the big three: The Yoruba people are not great because they are Yorubas. They are great because they are Nigerians. The day they cease to be Nigerians, they loose the right to those juicy jobs in the banks and other major corporations.

Yes, go on.

The Hausa person is not great because he is Hausa. He is known because he is a Nigerian. The day he stops being a Nigeria, 'chikina'. There is no way he can aspire to the leadership of 140 million strong 'smart people' plus the government appointments that go with it.

Ok, I'm with you.

The Igbo man is not great because he is Igbo. He is recognized because he is a Nigerian. The moment he relinquishes that heritage - he would loose this vast territory to sell his wares.

In effect our interests are better protected within a Nigerian nation. Is that what are saying?

Yes Bros. But you see there is so much ignorance, arrogance, and shear stupidity especially among the ruling class.

What about the ordinary people? How much of this understanding do they have?

They know this too well that they are appealing to people like you to take this message to your colleagues. The average Nigerian just want to continue to 'wack' his garri in peace, unity and progress.

My Guy, this is another food for thought. I thank you very much for this on the eve of our 47th Anniversary.

Bros, Action... and I may cease this opportunity to wish you and other country-men and women a happy independence anniversary.

Lights Out at 9 pm

My Guy, you have been too quite these days. I hope the curfew is not getting a better part of you?

Bros, your wisdom is more than that of King Solomon. Remember the last time you were here, the City could not contain you. You even left hmm. hmm. hmm a progeny.

You were so young then, how did you know this? I have always known that you like Senior jokes but this one is too expensive.

There are no secrets under the sun. Remember, that was the time your very close pal nick named the place 'Port High life'.

My oh my, how time flies. But how are people generally adjusting to the current situation in PH, I mean Port er. er. yes highlight, abi high wire, ....iya high life?

Bros, to cut a long story short: The Women are happy that their men can no longer stay out late; the Men are frustrated and the Children are indifferent.

So it is a good thing after all. We have to bring back good moral standards to out society. All those men running after anything on skimpy skirts, show your 'bom-bom' trousers, etc will now be forced to play with their housemates or wives at home.

Bros, with due respect, you are not any better. We are all aware of your escapades. But to the real issue: Peoples livelihoods are at stake and we are not sure how much longer they can take this. The looming economic catastrophe this indefinite curfew will bring may yet fuel another crises. This City of Port Harcourt depends on every hour of the 24 hours, every day, in every year to live on and in good times prosper.

My Guy, I see your point. But the 'Senior Prefect' has to do his duty and put out the lights at the appropriate time because you and your people are really trouble makers. Now we see you, at other times we don't. Just like willie.. .willie, you know what I mean.

Yes we all have out duties to do but by whatever means the 'Prefects' must come to a decision to get the City working gain. No, not indefinite lights out.

So what do you want me to do. My Guy, I really want to help at least for your sake. I know how you miss those gyration sessions in the Clubs.

Bros, thanks for your understanding. Please try and explain the situation to the 'Principal' to prevail on the 'Senior Prefect' to remove this 'bedtime rule' after all the City is not in a 'State of Emergency' - so were are told.

Thanks, I shall be thinking about it.

Bros, ACT now. ACTION is all that is needed to save an already ugly situation.

Public Assault in Port Harcourt

My Guy, I believe peace has returned to your city - that city you loved so much that you refused to eat 'kpomo' and 'boli' with me, so you can catch your flight the other day.

Bros, you can say that again. This is home. But you need to be here to see what the citizens of your country that voted for democracy are going through.

What is the matter? By the way I saw people raising up their hands in the air on television. Is that the new style in PH?

I always know that you have that rare gift of insight, intuition or what I would I call it. That is the point. We hear the 'home grown' militants have been flushed out of the city, but your fellow citizens are now being subjected to in-human treatment by other fellow citizens. A Pastor friend of mine calls it - Public Assault - that is why I have used it in the title of this message.

But I have always warned you that your people are going to suffer for the sins of those miscreants among you. May be the militants are still 'walking' side by side with normal people - you can never tell. People learn very easily these days from television you know. You guys may try to demonstrate 'Iraq' here in Nigeria. I even hear that your 'juju' - Egbesu - can make your people disappear.

So that explains why women with little babies, and even my three year old girl is asked to get out of the car, walk across the check-point with hands up in the air. Of course she was not amused, a bit confused but very curious.

And what did you have to tell her?

We had a conversation because I did not have the answers to her queries. Let me just narrate:
Daddy! why is every body saying alleluia!!? No they are not saying alleluia they are putting up their hands to GOD. But we are not in church. No, everywhere is church now because anything can happen with those guys carrying those 'iron sticks'. You mean the 'guns'? Well since you know what they are you had better obey. But daddy.......Obey please.....

So what happened later?

The little girl has to walk the 100 meters stretch to get back to her daddy's car. And was it fun?At some point, when she has to do the same routine in five places before getting to where she wanted that ice-cream badly.

Poor girl, she has to suffer for the foolishness of some senseless adults. So what is the way forward?

This form of human degradation, humiliation and suffering must stop forthwith. Otherwise there may be more casualties from the civilian population.

What do you mean - civilian resistance?

No Bros, but some 'none violence disobedience', and you know your people - they will react and some 'kill and go action' may follow.

Thanks My Guy for that food for ACTION. I will keep on thinking about it.

Bros, ACT NOW delay may be dangerous

Militants...Freedom Fighters...Criminals

My Guy how is your end.

Bros - the place is hot. The militants, I mean the freedom fighters are at war. We hear with rival groups.

What do you mean by freedom fighters these militants are bloody criminals.

Your Militants may be my freedom fighters but there is no other word for criminals. The long drawn battle in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria has worn different colours partly due to the criminalisation of the strugle.

What strugle? You guys are a lazy bunch who do not want to work for your livelihood?

With due respect - you think by shooting your way to Doddan Barracks, Aso Rock, Brick House,.....or Mud Palace, you are now smarter than the rest us? Look these guys are freedom fighters - who want a fairer control for their GOD given resources.

What reources? What about all the money that have been given to your Chiefs? If we give you more, you will only use it to drink 'ogogoro'.

I do not take this as an insult, it only shows your ignorance about the strugle - resource control. Let me explain - if we agree to construct 10km roads in every State, let 10km raods be constructed in every State. But don't come and tell us that the 10km road in Bayelsa will cost 10 times that of 10km raod in Sokoto and therefore you will now give every state 10 million Naira to construct their roads. Sokoto may get their 10km road but in Bayelsa it will not be enough even for feasibility study. I expect you to undertsand this much even as an 'HND Engineer'. By the way the money to construct all the 10km raods in all the States comes from here.

Ok but this your militants, I beg your pardon freedom fighters are now robbing banks, rapping women, kidnapping 'oyibo people' and killing innocent people - is this also part of the struggle?

No. Haba!! a criminal is a criminal. It does not matter the type of dress he wears - 'khaki' wearing kill and go type, those wearing flowing gowns or long-dresses with straw-hat, or those clad in black-t-shirts and jeans. It does not matter the type of weapon he uses - pen and paper, dynamite or AK 47 assault rifle.

At least we agree on this point. It is a shame some of my colleagues have been 'fingered' in these shameful acts. My Guy what can I do to help.

Bros, EFCC is the answer. Any criminal,.. militant,... or freedom fighter who is involved in these activities should be treated as an 'economic criminal'. After all as long as these acts of lawlessness continue 'our garri' suffer.

My Guy thank you for this food for ACTION. I shall be thinking about it.

No Bros, stop thinking ACT now before it becomes irreversible.

Economic strangulation of Rivers State: the way forward

This is was the theme of a Round Table Discussion that took place on August 9th 2007 organized by the Rivers State Office of the National Orientation Agency.

Key Questions:

1. Is the economy of Rivers State being strangulated?
2. If so, who is responsible?
3. What are the means of strangulation?
4. What are the manifestations?
5. What are the challenges of strangulation?
6. What is the response of the State Government?
7. What is to be done to reverse the situation?

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The following is an outline of the issues raised by a panel of discussants drawn from several constituencies - government, academia, communities, development advisers, NGOs and CSOs.

Problems:

• Security situation - political thuggery and militant agitation for fairer share of oil revenues giving rise to criminal activities (hostage taking, kidnappings, extortion, gun running etc)
• Crises of Leadership and lack of progress in the last 8 years of democratic rule
• Lack of absorptive capacity of the huge resources coming to the State - weak capacity to plan and implement people oriented programmes
• Poor education and curriculum not relevant to the current challenges
• No over-arching economic vision for the State
• Uncoordinated activities of development partners - oil companies, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) etc - leading to duplication and wastage of efforts
  
• Poor infrastructural base not matched by the growing economic status of the State
• Total disconnect between the Oil and Gas industry with the local economy of the State

Way Forward:

• A long-term development framework with targets - the Millennium Developments Goals (MDGs) is suggested
• Good governance linked to effective leadership - a government that is transparent and accountable to the people
  
• Rehabilitate militants and provide them with livelihood skills
• Deal decisively with criminal elements among the militants and tackle the dismal state of insecurity in the State
• Education, education, education
• Facilitate 'home grown' business models supported by the State government
  
• Reconnect the petroleum industry with the economy of the State
• Development partners should buy into agreed State plans rather than go it alone
• Oil companies should transfer 'business competencies' in place of the usual community development projects

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We are providing this blog as a forum to continue the discussion and invite all citizens to get involved in the debate. Please re-visit the questions and try and provide answers to them.

Management and working at State level critical to "Vision 2020"

Most States in Nigeria have resources and manpower far in excess of the annual budgets of most countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The States also have considerable political autonomy matched by administrative structures that can create pockets of vibrant economic centers across the country. Compared to the rest of SSA, Nigeria could be said to be a nation with 36 countries each more viable than many of the ones that have a seat at the United Nations.

So why is the country performing so poorly. It all boils down to 'organization'. Take the case of the 'Super Eagles' or any other sporting team. Nigeria probably has the highest number of talented players in Africa, but always fail to perform optimally. Often times these talents are not coordinated to achieve results.

The States should be the engine rooms of development in Nigeria where management as a means of organizing all human activity to achieve optimal result for the benefit of society should be applied vigorously.

Leadership by Choice

"Nigeria would become one of the top-twenty global economies by the year 2020"

This is the level of 'positive optimism' that is giving hope to this and the next generation of Nigerians both here in the country and in the diaspora. Why not? Giving the level of audacity and self-confidence in the people such a vision is within reach. What is required is the right of leadership that would guide the country to the 'promised land'. Most Nigerians would quickly note that such leadership may not be readily available given the level of self seeking tendencies of political office holders. But these are not the sort of leaders the country is looking for at this period. The new leaders most be self-selected and come from all backgrounds and disciplines. They would make themselves available undertaking initiatives that would transform people, organizations, systems and their context.

If you consider yourself one of such leaders then stand with me.