Nigerian Nexus: Hope or Horror

Since independence Nigeria has suffered ravaging and regression at the hands of successive regimes. The government of the first republic was overthrown by the military plunging the country into a spiral of political mismanagement, acculturated corruption and tribal conflict. With the end of military rule the second republic was bedevilled by excess and corruption. Another military coup led to a period of tyranny and widespread fraudulence by military leadership. A much anticipated transition to civilian rule finally occurred and the third republic has been a catalogue economic and social failings by one government after another. 

The 2023 elections in Nigeria will represent yet another opportunity to halt the damage and division visited upon the country by past and present political and military leadership. It will not see the reversal of all harm done by the sheer scale of the corruption, indifference and incompetence that has marked national government to date. The capacity for leaders to work solely for themselves or not at all has been breathtaking. Thanks to the their singularly unpatriotic and sterling apathetic efforts what was once a thriving nation with great potential is now performing at below any standard baseline in almost all aspects of social mobility. The country is not even close to being in a position to achieve any of its Sustainable Development Goals. 

Nigeria’s economy, political system, law enforcement and internal security are currently in a mess. The current government has floundered and watched things get progressively worse. Unfortunately the current crop of politicians are unlikely to have the will or integrity to get to grips with addressing all these problems. Peter Obi of the Labour Party of Nigeria is the one notable presidential candidate who is not completely tainted by the stench of ineptitude and corruption, however there are questions about the people he has surrounding him and his methods. Whether he will get the chance to prove his mettle remains to be seen. 

In February Nigerians will have the opportunity to take a stand and send a message or deal a decisive blow against corrupt and self serving politicians. Whether that opportunity is seized or not may say all there needs to be said about the prospects of Nigeria as a country and a credible nation. 

Trampled on

 © PA Wire

The crowd incident that happened at the Asake concert at the O2 Academy Brixton venue was tragic and has led to the death of one person while others are critically injured in hospital. Following the incident there are various claims about what exactly happened and who is to blame. It is right that the events of the night should be investigated and explanations given for how things went so wrong. In doing that we must not forget that this has been a tragedy that has led to the death and serious injury of people. However, there are questions that must be asked and people who should be held to account. 

Some people have blamed the Metropolitan Police for triggering the stampede that occurred. They have been accused of holding the crowd outside the venue in the freezing cold and then using force to repel some individuals. There are reasonable grounds for questioning whether the police risk assessment of the situation was sufficient or well informed. And it is unclear whether any attempts were made by the police to communicate with or appeal to the crowd. These are issues which an investigation should look into and hopefully resolve. However, it does appear that the police were called to the venue in response to an already developing crowd control problem. The indication being that trouble was already brewing before the police arrived and somebody recognised that and called for assistance. There was also video of people fighting inside the venue during the concert and this couldn’t have been the fault of the police. Whatever the inadequacies of the police response were it is clear that they did not create the situation and were probably were swept up in it like so many other people who might have legitimately been at the venue that night. 

It is possible that the concert promoter might have oversold tickets for the concert but there is no evidence at this point to suggest that was the case. If it happens that people with valid tickets had difficulty getting into the venue then questions must be asked about whether the organisation for the show might have contributed to the chaos that ensued. It may turn out that the concert promoter could not have anticipated the numbers of people without tickets who showed up to the venue; and ended being overwhelmed by the crowd violence. 

It seems that a lot of people without tickets might have gone to the venue and then tried to force their way in. There are rumours that fake tickets were being sold outside the venue on the day of the concert. This might have led to numerous people not accounted for trying to gain access to concert that was already sold out. This would have led to dangerous overcrowding and a surge at the entrance. There is video of some people shouting to break down the doors to the venue. It is hard to imagine people with legitimate tickets trying to access the concert by force. Assuming there were people in the freezing cold who were desperate to get inside the venue it shouldn’t have led to a crush at the door. It should have been their responsibility to be prepared for the conditions and dress warm. It is also not uncommon to have to wait in turn to gain entrance at a sold out concert. That shouldn’t lead to such impatience that people would rush the door. 

As shocking as the actions and consequences of that night may be it is not exactly a surprise. While this is not behaviour typical of most Nigerians we do see too many individuals behaving in ways that are reckless, hurtful and damaging to others. There is a tendency for some people to too readily resort to violence, abuse and criminality whenever they feel they are frustrated or desperate to get ahead. Not enough is done in the community to condemn and combat this behaviour. Too many people see it as a necessity of survival or commission of victimless crimes. There has to be more that can be done to highlight the fact that trolling others, violent conflict and being abusive should not be normalised in our community. What happened cannot be described as typical behaviour by Nigerians or Black people. It was unusual but it is behaviour amongst some individuals that is becoming all too prevalent. What we saw at the concert was what happens when a small group of these individuals come together in one place and the havoc they can cause. This may not be a popular view but there are a lot of demonstrations of abusive behaviour online and in person that seem to constantly permeate how people in the community interact with each other, and people from other groups. Continued efforts have to be made to condemn attitudes and actions that give rise to domestic violence, misogyny, trolling, physical violence and verbal abuse. It’s important to bear in mind that behaviour doesn’t just occur in a vacuum. It can be instinctive but it can also be learned and modelled. 

It is very unlikely that the people responsible for the chaos, stampede and subsequent death and injuries from it will ever be brought to justice. We do know who they are though. We see their posts and comments on Instagram, Tik Tok, Facebook, Snapchat and WhatsApp. Even though these people may not be brought forward to answer for their actions in a legal forum we can only hope that the people close to them do something to hold them to account for their irresponsible actions and the suffering they have wrought. 

The Original Armed Robbers in Nigeria are the Military

Nigeria’s independence in 1960 involved a precarious truce between North, East and South Protectorates that had been put in place by British colonialists. In order to emerge as a unified country the politicians needed time to come together and start to act with a common purpose. The route to shared ideals proved uncertain and uneasy. Corruption and tribal tensions provided the excuses for a bloody and brutal military coup. The military brought with it authoritarian rule, elitism, executive entropy, conspicuous consumption and regional quotas. 

The military subjected Nigeria to another coup within months of overthrowing the civilian government in 1966; and then straight into a civil war in 1967. The military government never had a vision for developing an independent nation and instead focused on placating dissatisfied elements in the military and asserting control over the country. They set about establishing a bureaucracy that reflected military sensibilities. Its leadership was determined by status and entitlement, without very much regard for competence or commitment. 

The military government appointed military officers to head all government agencies. The only qualification required was military rank. They set about a programme of random capital development and resource allocation which paid little consideration to strategic need or social and economic infrastructure. What followed was the introduction of a culture of cronyism, graft and financial misappropriation. They focused on taking full advantage of the newly discovered petroleum reserves to initiate vanity projects and reward themselves with a luxurious lifestyle. 

Instead of exploring the full range of resources available in oil exploration, investing in agriculture, public sewage system, diversifying energy production, and expanding the transportation network the military focused on building roads and bridges in urban areas where they could avail themselves of the many official vehicles they had issued to themselves. There was no strategy to promote small or medium business or develop fiscal facilities to develop commercial ventures and entrepreneurship. 

The period following the discovery of oil became notable for a child like keenness to use the wealth. White elephants were proposed, started and subsequently abandoned or under-utilised. There included two steel plants, multiple refuse disposal facilities and petroleum refineries in Northern Nigeria. In 1972 the Udoji Commission was set up to look at reforming the civil service and improving terms and conditions of staff. However, it turned into a giveaway bonanza with people being given cash handouts, pay increases and brand new official vehicles. Basic level staff got a nominal amount but senior officials received considerably greater benefits. 

Despite the lucrative petroleum exploitation Nigeria fell into a minor recession in 1978/1979, eventually leading to having to implement the IMF Structural Adjustment Programme in 1986. This led to a currency devaluation, rocketing food prices and higher import tariffs. In 1977 Nigeria's national debt rose by an estimated 110%. Power generation was so poorly managed there were frequent power cuts all through the 1970s, and many rural areas still do not have electricty.

A lot of retired military officers have been at the heart of the civilian political kleptocracy that has ravaged Nigeria to the point of destitution. The military is one of the best funded organisations in the country but its budgets have been subject to rampant misuse and misappropriation. The current president, an ex military ruler, has presided over an unfathomable period of decline. He has also been incredibly ineffective and unprogressive. Olusegun Obasanjo who is held up as an example of a leader who got things done, presided over the destruction of postal and telephone services in the country. He introduced cellular services but that has been a largely unregulated money grab by providers. The National Health Insurance Service he set up only provides limited healthcare for a small minority of citizens.

Nigeria's current problems seem insurmountable and the military, and ex military officers are historically and currently at the heart of all that is wrong in Nigeria. Just to halt all the damage done a new political order and system is needed. All the current politicians need to be banned and a new constitution needs to be written. The government apparatus needs to be slimmed down to halt waste and inefficiency and resources directed to building agricultural and manufacturing infrastructure. The sole reliance on petroleum revenue has been Nigeria's downfall. The economy needs to be diversified and more prominence given to productivity. That is the real way to reduce unemployment and reduce poverty and wealth inequity.

Harvesting Organs and Futures

The case of a Nigerian senator who has been arrested and charged in the UK with trafficking a person with intent to harvest body parts has reverberated across U.K. and Nigerian newsrooms and social media. It appears to be a gruesome instance of abuse of power and exploitation of a vulnerable and deprived person. There are claims the senator enticed the victim with promises of a better life in the U.K. but secretly planned to use him as an organ donor for the senator’s unwell daughter. A different claim is that the victim was being paid to come to the U.K. as donor but was not a match and has made the accusations to avoid being sent back to Nigeria. It is possible that one, or even both of these accounts are true but we will find out in due course. 

Nigeria actually has a murky history of abductions and organ harvesting. Of recent there have been unconfirmed reports of wealthy people engaging criminal gangs to abduct, murder and harvest organs for their use. However, Nigeria’s history of this goes back to ancient times predating colonialism. Certain tribes were known to abduct people to be used in sacrifices or ritualistic offerings to gods. These practices were outlawed and phased out with the coming of colonialism and Christianity. However, there have continued to be cases and allegations of people killed, or body parts harvested as part of wealth rituals. These murderous and inhumane practices appear to be living on in a different guise  

Poverty has reached extreme levels in Nigeria. It is estimated that approximately seventy percent of the population live below the breadline. Not only are people chronically impoverished but they receive absolutely no direct support from the government by way of welfare or social benefits. Under these circumstances it is very likely that a considerable number of people would be coerced into making organ donations for payment. It is tragic that the very people responsible for raiding public coffers and neglecting public services are the same ones likely to be the beneficiaries and instigators of crimes involving organ harvesting.

As a result of mismanagement and corruption by current and successive governments and legislators in Nigeria healthcare in the country is worse than it was thirty years ago. The current Nigerian president is notorious for frequently traveling abroad to seek healthcare during his tenure. A lot of Nigerians often travel to countries like India or Turkey for critical healthcare. Nigeria is not on course to achieve any of its Sustainable Development health goals; and the WHO estimate life expectancy amongst Nigerians to be around fifty years. Less than ten percent of the national budget is spent on health. Health facilities are rundown and most rural areas have almost no access to proper healthcare. Healthcare in Nigeria is a regional lottery subject to political whim. The richest with the lower needs get the most and best healthcare while the poorest with the greatest needs get little or nothing. The NHIS is a programme that reinforces inequality and does nothing to provide access to universal healthcare.

It’s indicative of the collapse of government, political, judicial, law enforcement and health systems in Nigeria that it has taken an arrest abroad to bring these matters to the surface. It is still unlikely that very much will be done to address it. However, we are reaching the point where we can’t keep covering our nakedness with sacking and cry out hope. Our very present and futures are being harvested right before our eyes. The rot has set in and it may be too late to stop it.

An Anticlimactic Cop26

Cop26 pledges to reduce emissions and halt deforestation are a major step forward in the battle to stage a recovery from the impending environmental disaster we are in the midst of. They definitely don’t solve the problem but they do map out a path towards a solution. Unfortunately, there are a lot obstacles littering that path. There are obviously some countries that are adamantly reluctant to give up the money and influence that an emissions heavy and fossil fuel driven world gives them. There are also a lot of countries that don’t have the infrastructure or basic living conditions to adopt a sustainable and environmentally friendly lifestyle. 

Developing countries are jockeying for finance to support them towards becoming carbon neutral. The UN needs to push for funding to support the investment in setting up the infrastructure for renewable energy in developing countries. It also needs to have a framework to ensure that certain countries following through on their pledges to transition away from fossil fuels and environment damaging practices. However, there is little indication that any allocated funding will be actually applied to delivering a sustainable environment and renewable energy platform. The dominance of corruption and poverty in these countries means that the carbon neutral goals may just not be realistic. A lot of the countries have rural areas that are largely lacking in amenities. Even electrification is still an aspirational target in a lot of these places. The requirements to enable them to adopt renewable energy on a mass scale are just not there.

Developing countries are responsible for less than 5% of total global emissions but are disproportionately affected by the impact of global warming. However, it must be acknowledged that a lot of developing countries import and consume a high volume of goods that produced by manufacturing responsible for a large amount of emissions. These economies and conveniences mean that while there is a demand for such commodities certain countries will continue to hesitate to change their manufacturing modalities. We have seen that Russia, China, India and Brazil; primarily amongst others, have dragged their feet towards embracing the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. 

Nigeria, a major oil producer, has done very little to develop solar or wind energy energy production. And this is despite being ideally placed to make strides in developing renewable energy resources. For decades now successive Nigeria governments have not only allowed petroleum companies to damage the environment, but have been complicit in suppressing efforts to halt and repair the damage. The country could have instituted a surcharge on corporate and individual leasing of oil concessions to repair and develop areas damaged by oil exploration. The surcharges could also serve as an investment fund for developing renewable energy solutions. It has not done so because of corruption, an absence of will, and a half hearted approach to tackling climate change. 

Plans to reduce emissions, tackle methane production, phase out coal, curb deforestation and promote renewable energy are an extremely important step forward for the world. However, putting forward plans is not a guarantee that effective action will be taken. Developing countries are the most in need of environmental rehabilitation but they are the least likely to be fully committed making the changes needed. They are making a case for being given financing to enable them implement their plans but it is unlikely that the plans reflect the totality of the problem facing such countries. It is also highly unlikely that any funding won’t be misused or diverted towards other things. 

The onus is on developed countries who are responsible for the greater proportion of global emissions to take decisive action to stop coal usage, phase out fossil fuels and stop profiting from environmental destruction. Unformtunately, developed countries are hardly the good samaritans we need them to be. They are much more the 'big bad wolves' of the world. America is just a few million votes away from another Trumpean apocalypse. Russia and Putin are very focused on doing anything to gain geographical and economic dominance over any nations vulnerable to its sway. China is desparately trying to relive Mao dynastic rule. The U.K. appears to have become pathologically untrustworthy and unreiable. The E.U. is struggling to convince its member states that they can thrive from working as a union without losing any sovereignty. The emerging economies are holding on to the idea of economic success above all else. The prospect of saving the environment seems extremly fraught.

There is a possibility of reducing emissions and limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees. However, this will require the developed nations doing their part and the whole world holding them to account. Without a concerted effort by all there is no way to achieve the desired goal by 2050. There is also a need to recognise that while reducing emissions will work towards a global rescue; developing countries are currently struggling with not only the effects of global warming but also a failure or inabillity to protect their regions against climate catastrophes. The work to develop strategies, plans and infrastructure needs to already be in full swing. Finance will be needed to get things underway. Governments will also need to be motivated to commit to the work and effectively implement environmentally sustainable practices.

How do you solve a problem like Nigeria?

It is incredible that the current Nigerian government that is widely seen as ineffective and unpopular fails to see the benefits of social media in promoting reform and recovery. In Africa in particular, having a vibrant social media is one way to sustain economic and social development. It does appear that the current government has been mulling over ways to curb the use of social media in the country and Twitter deleting a tweet by the president has given it the excuse to take action. Unfortunately, this seems to be a shortsighted and ill conceived move. 

The Nigerian government may claim to be taking action against Twitter but it’s its own citizenry that it is actually disadvantaging. If the government was unhappy about Twitter’s moderating of content it posted then it should have engaged with Twitter to resolve whatever misunderstanding of its communication and motives it might have deemed to have occurred. Depriving people of using the platform seems like the exact type of overreaction one would expect from a dictatorial and totalitarian government. Certainly it isn’t consistent with the actions and spirit of a modern democracy. 

In spite this being the 21st century Nigeria is still driven by an extremely traditional and deeply conservative culture. In personal interaction age and social status limit the nature and style of communication between individuals. With the growing pervasiveness of the internet and social media some sections of Nigerian society believe the open access has undermined their entitlement and ability to control and restrict the way communication flows between people and institutions. Rather than see the freedom as an opportunity for development for a people who are mired in poverty and deprivation; they consider it as a swamp that festers with disrespect and allows equality. Truth be told, some people in Nigeria do not like to be held accountable and balk at any suggestion of being subjected to scrutiny.

Given Nigeria’s dire economic circumstances the government has been out begging for loans and grants to maintain its revenue requirements. This type of repressive government behaviour is unlikely to be seen as promoting an environment that bodes well for external investment. In fact, the facility to profit from corruption seems to be one of the key factors currently driving consideration of investing in Nigeria. The amount of effort the government is putting into policing Twitter seems significantly greater than what it has done to curb internal insecurity issues. 

It has become clear that until Nigeria starts having honest politicians it will not have good political leadership. After sixty years of independence the country does not have functional institutions that will ensure sustainable economic and social development. The country is becoming increasingly fractured along tribal lines. Unfortunately, there isn’t the leadership to unite and heal all the divisions. If the current government could focus on internal security that at least would be something that everyone could benefit from. 

Tackling Nigeria’s Corruption: A Paradigm Shift

© Vanguard Nigeria 

Nigeria has a culture of probing corruption, especially after a leadership change. Given the endemic nature of fraudulence in the country pledging to investigate fraud and corruption is always well received. One would have thought that given the country’s long history of corruption in all facets of society there would be more focus on actually stopping and preventing corruption. An archaic bureaucracy, embedded nepotism and cronyism, and a laughable law enforcement framework make corruption almost inevitable. The system needs to change and the people need to understand the value and benefit of that change. The change needs to come in the form of a new framework of accountability that will underpin every aspect of Nigerian professional life.

There has been a lot of angst surrounding Nigeria’s predilection for tone deafness and regressive behaviour. The description ‘failing nation’ is probably an understatement of the nature of the country’s catastrophic and continuing decline. The almost total absence of effective and purposeful governing and governance in the country is shameful. However, as momentous as that is Nigeria is not alone globally in enduring trial by poor leadership. This does not excuse the country but it makes it less of a focus for me at this time. I am more concerned about weak political nucleus of the country, and the total lack of an economic, social and developmental plan for the future. No matter who gets into power there is no evidence anywhere of any political aspiration beyond just being able to exploit being in power. 

A first consideration would be to review all public and political officer salary structures. This would include a review of legislators wages and expenses. Salaries should be indexed to cost of living and competency standards. Any benefits should be based on basic housing, transport and subsistence allowances. Anything above that should be claimed for and subject to approval and authorisation by a transparent and audited process.  

All public sector commissioning and contracting should be subject to a new standards and accountability framework. There should be fit person and fit organisation standards that ensure that all prospective providers are evaluated for probity and capacity. There should be a two year audit cycle for contracts that ensures that they are performing at the required level and on target to deliver contracted outcomes. 

The oil, finance, telecommunications and private education sectors should be subject to a special interim taxation or levy to raise funds to finance a new programme of public investment in health, education, transportation and agriculture. Public consultation should be undertaken to identify and agree the areas for investment. A public commission should be appointed to administer the process and its operation should be open and report publicly quarterly. All its records should be publicly available for information and scrutiny. 

Instead of continually probing corruption Nigeria needs to reduce the opportunities within the system to defraud public finances; and increase the potential for most citizens to earn a living wage and enjoy a better quality of life. Looking for corruption in a corrupt system is just folly. Just probing corruption and punishing the guilty does nothing to address the causes of corruption. Also, it doesn’t highlight any real lessons to be learnt. The culture and systems that foster corruption need to change. Improving living conditions across the country, and reforming public management systems would be significant steps in the right direction. 

Time to Deconstruct Policing in Nigeria

© The Star

Law enforcement brutality in Nigeria has a long history predating independence. Britain used armed forces to violently quell any local resistance to the imposition of colonial rule. And during colonial rule local police forces were extremely repressive in dealing with uncooperative and non compliant disenfranchised citizens. Tragically, since independence the country has failed to redress the oppressive history of law enforcement that it had inherited. Years of military rule and unrestrained armed robbery have entrenched a culture of repression and brutality in law enforcement. 

The Nigerian Police Force has a well earned reputation for being undertrained, underpaid and under managed. The force is notorious for corruption, extortion and extra judicial killings. It has absolutely no capability for maintaining law and order, or detecting crime. Its sole function has been to selectively respond to already committed crimes or crimes in progress. The only protection the police force offers is to government officials, banks and the wealthy. 

The atrocities committed by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) are a reflection of the corrupted state of Nigerian law enforcement; and disdain for the lives and wellbeing of ordinary citizens that successive governments have demonstrated. Nigerians are suffering brutality and murder at the hands of police officers, soldiers, secret service agents, prison officials and road marshals. There is absolutely nowhere that they can turn to seek redress or reprieve. The governments feeble attempt to rebrand SARS as a new Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team shows how disinterested and out of touch it is.

Seismic changes are needed in law enforcement in Nigeria in order to reform the police. The emphasis has to be taken away from guarding the elite to tackling crime in a strategic and comprehensive manner. Critical to that will be disarming the rank and file police officers. Police officers should be trained in community policing and protecting the Nigerian populace. They need to learn how to carry out their duties unarmed and in a sensitive manner. This is what will give them the authority to effectively police the streets. Armed squads should be used in response to identified threats of armed attacks by criminals. Retraining in detecting crime will go some way to taking guns off, and improving safety on the streets. 

There is no possibility of reforming the Nigeria Police Force without completely reorganising, or possibly removing the entire senior officer corps currently at the helm. Every senior officer should be evaluated and assessed for honesty, competence and commitment. All those who fail the evaluation should be forced to resign or face being dismissed. All existing members of the police force should undergo a programme of development and retraining. The police force should be subject to new a governance framework with an independent board responsible for regulation and executive management at the helm. 

Of course, none of this would be possible unless there is a ruling government committed to anti-corruption, equity, transparency and reform. But then I guess it would also help to not have a prison system that is decrepit and inhumane, a judiciary that is full of negligent sellouts, a legislature populated by corrupt parasites; and political parties run by self serving immoral shysters. This government’s inept handling of the ‘End SARS’ protests shows that it is neither committed to nor capable of looking out for the welfare of the people or country of Nigeria.  

Nigeria Born Again

copyright: Asukwo eb

Since the return of party politics in Nigeria following the demise of military dictator Sanni Abacha the country has made some considerable strides. The economy is considered one of the key emerging economies in the developing world. There has been widespread access to mobile communications and internet services. Business magnate Aliko Dangote is considered the richest man in Africa. However social conditions have deteriorated. Poverty, unemployment and deprivation are rife. Wealth inequality has gotten worse. Corruption continues unchecked.

A lot of hope has been vested in incoming governments to curb corruption and neglect; and get development back on track. To date no government has been able to deliver on its promises. The current government under Buhari promised to fight corruption, instability and deprivation. It is widely acknowledged that it has failed to do this to any appreciable extent. However, Buhari has expressed an intention to stand for election to a second term as president. There has been a lot of debate on whether based on his performance he can be considered a worthy candidate. It is almost certain his party will support his candidacy but he himself has not distinguished himself as a saviour with the vision or will to bring about change in the country.

It’s incredible that in 2018 Nigerians are still hoping for an election campaign based on integrity, social and economic vision, and an honest manifesto; instead of cash distribution combined with thug driven violence. We still don’t have candidates who can give a good account of their past stewardship. Campaigns are rife with false claims, empty promises and personal abuse. The electorate deserves better and needs to hold political aspirants to a higher standard. The only way change will happen is if a new cadre of politicians is ushered in. The country desperately needs people with a passion for public service who are not driven by a desire for personal enrichment.

Nigeria is currently beset by extensive poverty, a lopsided economy, inadequate rural investment, wide ranging unemployment, unchecked crime and regional violence, poor access to healthcare, erratic power supply, decline in quality of education, mass emigration, and inadequate public services. Any politician not talking about these issues over the next year cannot possibly have very much to offer. Any campaigns that are not centred around offering solutions to these problems would only be trying to pull the wool over our eyes. Any chance of a better future will depend on the electorate demanding a better class of politician; and asserting their rights to have a political system that serves the nation as a whole.

Spotlight on culture of sexual abuse and harassment

The Harvey Weinstein scandal has brought out into the open a history and culture of sexual abuse, harassment and exploitation that has become pervasive in day to day life in the USA and UK. Not only has it given victims a voice, it has also meant abusers are now being held to account irrespective of wealth and status. There are some exceptions, of course. It has also opened up a debate about notions of male entitlement and the casual mistreatment of women that has become normalised over time. The usual excuses for inappropriate and indecent sexual behaviour are now being held up to scrutiny and rightly dismissed and condemned. The UK Defence Secretary, Michael Fallon has had to resign claiming that what was acceptable in the past is now no longer acceptable. People have been quick to correct him that it was never acceptable just accepted because the perpetrators had power and influence.

The Black entertainment industry has a notorious reputation for misogyny and sexual violence. It might seem like there’s no point in raising it but this is probably an ideal time to call it out and hopefully put an end to it. The music industry needs to take more responsibility for the well-being of its workers and behaviour of its stars. Sexual harassment and exploitation are so endemic that it is taken for granted. That needs to change. This is important for the safety of people just trying to do a job, the professionalism of the business and the integrity of the art.

In Nigeria sexual abuse and exploitation of women have been pervasive and routine across all walks of life. Not only is the abusive behaviour normalised, it is also unchallenged. It is so ingrained in social culture that banks recruit young females to market banking products with the understanding that customers will see them as sexually available. Many of these women, single or married, are often coerced into sleeping with prospective customers in the hope of securing new account business. Lecturers in further and higher education routinely proposition female students with offers of better grades or threat of failing for sexual favours. This behaviour has gone on unchecked forever. This is a country where some regions have sought to legalise child brides. It is time for all the countries providing international aid for development and governance training to exert influence to challenge inappropriate behaviour. It is impossible to promote the empowerment and development of women when they can’t feel safe in social and professional settings.

In Nigeria, and many parts of sub Saharan Africa, there is a psycho-social dynamic driving the sexually predatory behaviour. There is an almost primordial inclination to see women as objects subject exclusively to the will of a man. It is a traditional mindset that sees man as the head of the family and women as subservient subjects with no will of their own. Unfortunately it still persists into the 21st century and shows little sign of abating. Now some men want to continue to dominate and demean the women in their lives. And women who have become high achievers, and even family breadwinners, still find themselves at the mercy of envious and insecure men who want to humiliate and brutalise them.

All societies need to take action to address sexual harassment and exploitation in professional and personal situations. A lot needs to be done to change prevailing attitudes towards sexually inappropriate behaviour. Victims should not be coerced and intimidated into silence. Also, perpetrators should not be allowed to pay off or threaten victims in order to cover up misconduct. Knowing what is appropriate behaviour and being held to account for sexually inappropriate conduct should be standards that are ingrained in the fabric of all societies.

Changing Nigeria's Political Landscape

copyright: Micha Klootwijk

Politics in Nigeria is corrupt and unevolved. It is riven by mismanagement and tribal partisanship. There is a strong belief that it is unlikely to see a change for the better anytime soon. It is difficult to argue with that. Even the current crop of up and coming political aspirants are steeped in the lazy and uninspired principles of their forebears. Unfortunately entering into politics is driven by a desire that accumulate wealth or escape poverty rather than a vocation for selfless public service. This has created a status quo of corruption and incompetence in both the executive and administrative arms of government.

It is time for a new vanguard of socially conscious Nigerians to create a new narrative that both connects with the aspirations of Nigerians and addresses their most pressing needs. In order to do this there needs to be a profile created for public service. Capability and integrity have to take precedence over wealth and patronage. Public can no longer be seen as a passport to personal wealth.

Successive governments have failed to address security issues with regards extremists and crime and disorder. Public services only serve to entrench deprivation and inequality. Economic policy has been regressive. There is little appetite for investment in sustainable development. Economic regulation is inadequate and poorly enforced. The north east remains isolated, unsafe and underdeveloped. The south remains an environmental disaster zone exploited by oil companies and local militias.

An association of young people supported but not led by some like minded older and wiser hands need to come together to form a viable political party. Nobody with present or past affiliations with political parties or groups in the country should be eligible to take up membership. This new party would campaign on a platform of good governance, transparency, financial accountability, economic development, youth empowerment and open society. This new political movement will start small and look to grow its membership and relevance on a local and national basis. It will seek to develop a solid support base and promote its political values across all states. It would hopefully be able to build this up into a credible national presence.

It is time to reimagine Nigeria as a place where there is strength in diversity. Where unity can be achieved through fairness and unselfish patriotism. A place where social capital is built up, maintained and reinvested in national development. A place where elders are role models and mentors to the youth. A place where young people grow up with a sense of integrity and an aspiration to personal and public improvement.

Starvation in Africa: The New Face of Imperialism

Image courtesy: Project Authenticity

The United Nations has indicated that there are almost 10 million people at risk of starvation in Nigeria, South Sudan and Somalia. In a continent that is well provided for in resources and potential this is calamitous state of events in the 21st century. It would come as no surprise that all these African countries are involved in some form of religious, tribal or political conflict. It has become a political trend in Africa for the welfare of millions of people to be put in jeopardy by warring factions pursuing selfish personal interests.

The three countries highlighted represent just a few of the many countries in Africa where poverty and starvation are rife due to political mismanagement and corruption. Economic development has all but petered out throughout the continent due to pillaging by political leaders with the assistance of overseas governments and multinational corporations. Even though each new government makes very earnest pledges to tackle corruption its endemic nature means that the very people promising to clean up the system are busy lining their own pockets covertly.  Any efforts to come to grips with corruption are either halfhearted or futile.

The quandary Africa finds itself in now us that a lot of people are focusing on historic ravages of colonialism and imperialism as the root of modern day travails. However, not enough of a spotlight is being shone on the modern day graft and racketeering that has been given a veneer of respectability. A lot of successful business have benefited from looted public funds or unfair favourable business terms allowed them by cronies in government. As a result very many African governments offer very little in terms of social welfare or affordable public services. Until public finances are properly focused on improving living conditions of the citizenry and not just funding governance structures and enriching private individuals and corporations Africans will continue to see increasing hunger and starvation, even in its so called emerging economies.

Nigeria's Culture of Human Trafficking

Nigeria has a less than proud history of association with slavery. It's major ports were once staging posts for the slave trade. The active role played by some tribes in capturing neighbouring villagers and selling them to slavers is not explored in too much detail these days. Even back then there were lessons that could have been learnt in tackling tribalism that has blighted the Nigerian federation in modern times. Unfortunately, even though the slave trade has long been abolished it would appear that in the 21st century slavery isn't quite eradicated in Nigeria.

For many years now it has been the practice for families in the village to send young family members to work as servants for wealthy people in the cities. In many cases it involves sending children and teenagers to work as househelps. Children in their pre teens are often sent to work as servants while their parents receive payments to cover the wages they would have earned. In some cases the host families are content to have children of school age working for them but not enrolled in education.

There have been numerous cases of young girls being sent abroad to work as nannies or house helps for families but being abused and held in appalling conditions. Very often they are denied education, not paid, and held illegally in the countries they have moved to. Meanwhile, they are mistreated and subjected to extreme deprivation in an attempt to keep them subdued and captive.

In parts of Nigeria parents are marrying their under aged daughters off to older men for dowries or to pay off debts. In some cases the girls are betrothed and remain with their parents until they finish secondary school. A lot of the girls being betrothed in early youth are often unable to complete, or attend secondary school at all. Where they do complete secondary school any further formal education they receive is often at the behest of their husband or fiancé.

There is a very lucrative industry of trafficking Nigerian women abroad for the purposes of prostitution. Amsterdam and Italy used to be prime locations for this. However, in recent times the UAE, and Dubai in particular have become targets for Nigerian traffickers trading in women for prostitution.

It is time that the government in Nigeria recognised the prevalence of human trafficking in the country. This should involve increasing awareness of the rights and protections needed for young girls. The wealthy should not be able to deny them the right to education and freedom despite collusion from their parents or families. Law enforcement in the country should be actively engaged in combating trafficking in all its forms.

Politics Makes Strange Bedfellows

Politics appears to be that one arena where partisanship is valued a lot more than higher principles. In order to get ahead in politics some people are forced to set aside their principles while others just completely abandon principle in favour of a front seat on the bandwagon. In the 2016 US presidential election a lot of people have lined up behind Clinton and Trump racked with no small degree of ambivalence, and through gritted teeth.

One politician who hasn't been too discriminating about entering one room or the other with people of dubious reputations has been Nigeria's President Buhari. He swept to power claiming to be a new broom committed to changing a culture of public fraud and corruption. However, he didn't hesitate to join forces with Atiku and Tinubu to rally support for his presidential bid. Both men have been tainted by accusations of enrichment in public office and facilitating fraud. Raji Fashola (the well loved former governor of Lagos State) who Buhari appointed to key ministerial portfolio failed to properly respond to claims that millions of public funds were spent on a personal website for him.

Hillary Clinton has appeared happy to apologise for things she has been found to be wrong about but never prepared to explain what really happened with the deletion of emails from her private sever, speeches she was paid to give on Wall Street or links between donations to the Clinton Foundation and her role as Secretary of State. Michelle Obama says she believes Hillary Clinton is a truly good and decent person. But she couldn't have forgotten the things Hillary said and did during the Democratic Party nomination contest with Barrack Obama. Hillary Clinton's appointment as Secretary of State was mainly intended to ease her bitterness and avoid any acrimony from her loss. Bernie Sanders is campaigning for Hillary but he knows that Hillary stands for everything he is opposed to. However Sanders knows that the best chance of adoption of any liberal policies is if Hillary becomes president.

Donald Trump's candidacy is literally ripping the Grand Ol Party a new one. A lot of Republicans are desperate for a return to the GW Bush era when social projects were a liberal evil and sleazy lobbying and corporate greed ruled the day. However there is a recognition that with Trump as president even these things are likely to be taken to such an extreme that the party will become so toxic that it will fall out of public favour and its members start to devour themselves. However most Republicans will get behind Trump even if there are more than a few who won't stand beside him.

There's nothing wrong with having someone new and inexperienced in the White House. What's required is someone with integrity and vision. Trump is definitely not that person. Unfortunately, neither is Hillary Clinton. 

Fantastically Foolish

David Cameron decided to break the ice with the Queen by lightheartedly making an ironic dig at global corruption, particularly in Nigeria and Afghanistan. A strange decision for a man who recently stood up in parliament to stridently defend his father's calculated tax avoidance, despite having previously publicly criticised comedian Jimmy Carr's tax avoidance arrangements. 

It is true that there is corruption in Afghanistan, much of which is down to the regime installed by the USA and Great Britain. Nigeria also has a chronic problem with corruption which is actively fed by the money laundering expertise of British banks. The corruption in these countries has been responsible for underdevelopment and systemic inefficiency. 

However, Great Britain historically and under David Cameron has not been a corruption free state. There has been the cash for questions, cash for peerages, MPs expenses, British Aerospace bribery, Libor rate rigging, mortgage payment protection, HSBC money laundering, Weat Yorkshire police, BHS pensions scandals; to name but a few. So it would appear that there is an equally fantastic amount of corruption going on in Britain itself. 

Addressing corruption in the developing world is necessary but mocking and deriding the countries does call into question how sincere Great Britain's efforts really are. It will be difficult to win the trust of people who are held in such low regard. David Cameron may point the finger at others for being corrupt but the fingers pointing right back at him suggest he has a lot of work to do to clean up corruption back at home. 

Change That Beggars Belief

The new new Nigerian government was elected on a promise to change the corrupt and self serving government of the past regimes. It was going to sweep out corruption and misadminstration, and clean up the corrupt mess left by the previous government. That promise has proven to be an empty boast. It now appears that the faith placed in the new government by the people of Nigeria was misplaced. There was a delay in appointing ministers. It was hoped that this was to be ensure that the right people were appointed to take forward an agenda for change. It turns out that the delay was just another function of the government's inertia and lack of ideas. The appointees have proven less than impressive. 

The economy that has been left to drift. The ministry of finance tussling with the central bank for control of fiscal policy. This has led to economic stagnation with the foreign exchange market practically imploding. The stock exchange has crashed and then fallen even further. No tangible domestic economic strategy has been outlined. Even corporate taxation hasn't yet been radically reformed. The government presented a disastrous budget to the senate that had to be withdrawn. It so clearly didn't address the economic issues at hand or properly allocate funds to areas of greatest need. The government has been focused on obtaining bridging loans rather than securing investment. Little has been done to diversify the economy and move it from a predominantly services base to a more manufacturing one. 

The minister for services rushed into the breach with a strategy document but failed to do his due diligence or any impact assessments. Lofty ambitions of managing power and developing infrastructure have rapidly been overwhelmed by the need to just keep things running. As it turns out operational continuity has lost out to poor planning and incompetence. Almost every month of this new government has seen fuel shortages. Electricity supply has fallen to new lows. Something that is almost unimaginable given how usually poor it is. 

Law and order in the country seem to be breaking down in a lot of states. Elections in Rivers state recently provoked calls for the imposition of a state of emergency. Fulani herdsmen seem to be rampaging unchecked, laying waste to villages and murdering women and children on a regular basis. Certain elements have started a campaign for a so called 'Biafra state'. This agitation has been tackled in a heavy handed manner. A radio show host arrested, detained and arraigned in court on charges of treason and sedition. More time has been spent briefing about how Boko Haram has been defeated than on actually tackling the terrorist menace itself. 

The government has become increasingly associated with misinformation and spin. Campaign promises have been watered down or at times denied outright. A campaign pledge to offer an allowance to the unemployed was first scorned by the president in a webchat in December and is now being said to have never been made at all. It appears that contrary to President Buhari's declaration that his experience of democracy has changed him from a military dictator; he appears to be increasingly leaning towards a militaristic totalitarian approach to governing. 

A lot of work has gone into probing the huge amount of corruption linked to the previous government. However, this appears to be an excuse for the government's inaction on a whole raft of other areas of public service. To date it appears that tackling corruption is the only policy that government is actually pursuing.

There is no doubt that the previous government left services and the infrastructure of government in a sorry state. However, this was always the task at hand when President Buhari campaigned for election and when he assumed office. Continuously pointing it out has worn thin on the citizenry and shows an element of cluelessness in a government that promised so much and claimed to have the answer to the country's problems. President Buhari is at the helm of an administration that is presiding over an unprecedented level of social and personal difficulties for Nigerians. His credibility, like his approval ratings is at an all time low. He needs to take a step back and come up with a more considered action plan to address all that is currently going wrong in the country. More importantly though, it needs to embody real change and act to reverse the poor performance and perception of the administration.