A Greek Lesson

The victory of the far left party in Greece is evidence that the people can effect change if given the opportunity in free and fair elections. It remains to be seen whether the new government will be successful in favourably negotiating the current national debt. But it is admirable that after a turbulent time in the teeth of a crisis the Greek people were able to hold peaceful elections and change the government without being plunged into constitutional crisis. 

The new challenge will be navigating the murky waters of international finance. The debt currently being serviced by Greece is essentially a loan to guarantee repayment on money's owed to various financial institutions. None of the money will effectively kickstart the Greek economy. So what we have is the EU bailing out a financial system that imprudently made bad loans at the expense of economically weaker nations. I wonder if any nations will be considered too big to fail. 

Palestine: Dishonouring the Struggle

It is sad to read about the increasing regularity of attacks in Israel by Palestinians acting on their own. It's tragic for the victims and sadly futile by the perpetrators. Whether it's motivated by vengeance or a sense of frustration it doesn't achieve any benefit. They just feed into the ignorance of extremist Palestine factions who use terrorism as a way to maintain their own relevance and raise funds to continue their dastardly campaigns. The extremists are refusing to learn a lesson most infants learn in primary school. And that is, there is nothing to be gained in trying to fight it out with a bully who is bigger and stronger than you. No matter how hot the tears of righteous indignation and frustration burn. Without peace Palestine will never experience freedom nor vindication. 

Whither Nigeria?

At independence in 1960 Nigeria was a country bursting with prospects. It had a glorious cultural heritage. Ambitious and brilliant intelligentsia. Aspiring and smart politicians. And a wealth of natural resources. So what went wrong?! 

There are three factors that might provide some insight into the issue:

• Colonialism: When the colonial occupiers left it wasn't exactly with good wishes and grace. They left basic infrastructure mostly designed to separate them from the general populace. And they left an economy that was built to divert resources to Great Britain at minimal cost. 

• Military rule: Misrule and the disruption and instability from frequent coups probably proved problematic in equal. The military governments had strategic frameworks in place but very little commitment to strategic development and deployment of resources. They focused on short term gains and populist actions. Balancing the disparity in resource distribution between the north and south became a primary objective for the military. 

• Tribal divisions: Tensions built up between a thriving South and a North that was heavily populated and highly resistant to development. Ultimately these played a role in exacerbating tribal and political tensions. Creating the perfect storm for a military coup. It subsequently played out in tribal rivalries in the military junta which ultimately resulted in politicking and prejudicial policy making. 

While some effects of colonialism are still being felt today, it isn't possible to blame the malaise that has set in to the Nigerian psyche wholly or even partially on it. The poor job done by the military of governing, and it's inability to manage tribal tensions remains a significant reason for the current failings. It hasn't helped that the current cabal of politicians have turned corruption into a career choice. It is no surprise that ex military officers have switched to politics in droves. 

There is no question that a democratic system of some sort is the best path forward. However, it is unclear whether our current or future stock of politicians are in fact capable of being democrats, at heart or in practice. 

Nigeria: A Modern Day Sodom and Gomorrah

It was Edmund Burke, the 18th century English Statesman who said; "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." This precisely sums up the plight of modern day Nigeria.

A country where public service has become a call to loot, embezzle and abuse authority. Where politicians have long since dispensed with the pretence of manifestos and now campaign strictly on the platform of entitlement. Where so called religious leaders live in the lap of luxury while their congregations wallow in poverty. Where law enforcement has become a rental service for the deepest pockets. Where all forms of abuse are tolerated, culminating in legislative proposals to legalise child brides. Where business simply means trawling for cash and very few standards apply. Where even in diaspora the criminality of Nigerians has reached legendary notoriety. In essence, Nigeria is a place led by immoral exploiters and inhabited by a predatory citizenry. 

Just as God said about Sodom and Gomorrah, "the outcry against them (sic) is so great and their sins so grievous". The question now is, "what shall be done about Nigeria?" 

Whose Labour?

The origins of the Labour Movement are rooted in the need to halt the exploitation of workers, and provide a critical mass for negotiating employment terms and conditions. Fast forward to the 21st century and the movement is nothing but a name. In America, Unions are still fighting to escape the greasy embrace of the Mob. In the UK Labour is a political party that pretty much stands for nothing. And in Nigeria, the Labour Congress is a charade where grown men give themselves the title "comrade" while being paid off by the government. 

The only achievement of the labour movement in Nigeria in recent years appears to be to have enabled a select few to get rich on government payouts. There is still no national minimum wage. Manual and low skilled workers receive no protection or support. There is minimal access to equal opportunities in recruitment, or due process in cases of unfair dismissal. Outside of the civil service workers have practically no rights! The award of perks and benefits in corporate organisations doesn't prevent summary dismissals and widespread harassment. 

Maybe one of these days Nigeria will put off celebrating 'Workers' Day' and actually get on with celebrating the worker. In Nigeria we are great at studying things but terribly poor at actually applying best practice to reform and improvement. It's time the Government, Labour Congress, and academicians got together to bring some dignity back to the worker and the Labour Movement in Nigeria. 

A Minimum Wage Should be the Bare Minimum

Over the years Nigeria has failed to adopt a national minimum wage. The current recommended minimum wage stands at N18000 per month. This can hardly be considered a living wage (never mind minimum wage) in a country where average annual accommodation rents can be in the region of N500,000 a year. In a country with a high rate of poverty, low life expectancy (45 years), high cost of living and minimal access to credit; wages represent a critical means of sustenance for significant number of people. Almost 75% of all those employed are in federal or state employment. 

The low level of wages has social as well as economic costs for Nigeria. Low wages have created, and in fact entrenched a culture of inequality. Employment is seen as patronage rather than paid labour. There is a societal aspiration to be rich rather than high achieving or successful. Corruption, theft and sexual exploitation have grown exponentially as the wealth gap increases. 

The circulation of money in the  economy is unbalanced. Local businesses operate on very low margins because most people don't have the resources to patronise them. This makes it harder for small and medium sized businesses to make a profit, and therefore there is not enough diversity at the lower end of the economy. The lack of spending power means that Nigeria's high population plays almost no role in boosting economic development. Very few Nigerians are able to save money or invest in any viable way. Ironically political instability and poor security have meant that Nigeria has not been able use the low cost of labour to attract foreign investment in any meaningful way. 

In a country where significant oil and gas resources still generate huge revenue, and where legislators are some of the highest paid in the world (one of the few areas Nigeria leads the world) a refusal to adopt a national minimum wage is not only unfair; it is also negligent. Nigeria will need a thriving workforce in the years to come. Now is the time to start developing the framework to make that happen. 

Remembering Martin Luther King Jr.

You can dream of a better life

But the world won't change while you're dreaming. 

You can fight by any means necessary 

But change won't happen while you're fighting. 

But you can fight hard to realise your dreams

And one day you will wake up to a good day in a better world.