Text of speech delivered by Dapo Lam Adesina @ a Special birthday celebration/Political declaration held in his honour by friends at D Rovans Hotel,Ibadan on October 24th,2009.
The chairman of this occasion, Emeritus Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,
My Father, Alh (Dr) Lam Onaolapo Majiyagbe Adesina (The man God Almighty has given the solution to the problems of bad leadership in Oyo State),
My Mother,Alhaja Sarat Adesina,
Symbol Rauf Aregbesola (The man the good and progressive people of Osun State gave their legitimate votes to be their Governor de facto)
Dr Kayode Fayemi (The man we all are eagerly waiting for to be sworn in as authentic Governor of Ekiti State)
Chief Jimi Agabaje and Mr Yinka Odumakin,Our ever progressive Uncles,
Comrade Moshood Erubami,Dr Ademola Aremu,Chief Femi Lanlehin,Senator Lekan Balogun,Dr Isiaka Kolawole,Prof Wale Oyemakinde,Prof Wole Akinboade,Dr Niyi Adelakun,Hon Soji Akanbi and Hon Kazeem Adeshile,Chief Ashiru and all other leaders here present,
Our brothers and sisters who are members of the press,
The greatest Nigerian Students here present,
My friends,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let me begin by saying thanks to all you who have travelled far and wide to witness this progressive gathering. We are here to celebrate my birthday which comes up on the 25th of October, Every Year.
This year friends came up with the idea of a public lecture instead of the normal sober reflections and I totally welcomed the idea because of its necessity most importantly at this period in the history of our dear nation.
We all made it here for different reasons and I tell you that it is humbling, and deep inside me I am convinced that this is just the beginning of great things to come to this land. We all came here because we believe in what we as a people can do to liberate ourselves from the shackles of oppressors.
In the face of despair, you believe there is hope. In the face of militancy, you believe there can be peace. In the face of election rigging and subverting of wishes of the people, you believe one day our votes will count. In the face of politics that shuts you out, you believe we can be one people reaching for what is possible. In the face of ineffective leaders, you believe Nigeria will still make it. In the face of lack of good schools, you believe our educational system can still be better. In the face of a bleak future for the youths, you believe there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Each and every time, a new generation has risen up and done what is needed to be done. It is time for our generation to rise up to the task. In the face of impossibilities, People who love their country can change it.
As a nation, it has been a while that we have been struggling to put an end to the rule of oppressors and visionless leaders. We have endured and persevered, we continue to hope even as it gets darker through our journey for 49 years. I have come to understand that our most cherished rights of liberty and an egalitarian society depends on active participation of an awakened electorate in the political process. Enough is enough, Nigeria must rise again.
This auspicious event is taking place few weeks after Nigeria celebrated 49 years of election rigging, corrupt leadership, death traps called roads,ASUU strikes,niger delta militancy,kidnapping,armed robbery, political assassinations,poverty,fraudulent electoral systems,Lack of internal democracy in Political parties and most importantly a no future situation for the youths, just to mention a few.
Everywhere in developed nations all over the world, leaders wake up to strive, create and prepare a better future for the youths and the coming generation, the reverse is the case in Nigeria. All of us know the challenges we face daily as a nation. Our problems includes dependence on oil that threatens our future, schools where too many children are not learning,militancy,corrupt leadership, fraudulent electoral system. We know these challenges, we have heard them, and we have talked about them for years. Now is the time to act.
What has stopped us from meeting these challenges is not the absence of great policies and effective plans but failure of the leadership, the myopic reasoning of our leaders, the ease at which we get distracted by the petty and trivial, our avoidance of tough decisions, preference for scoring cheap political points instead of facing the challenges with a rolled up sleeve and build a working consensus to tackle these problems.
Nigeria has a long way to go and it won’t be easy. That is why we have to set priorities, we have to make choices, we have to accept responsibilities, and we have to strengthen the system. Let us begin the hard work together, let us transform this nation, and let us practice politics of hope and not politics of insincerity. Let us build a new Nigeria where election would not be won before Election Day.
We all must know that every good thing in life comes at a price. We must stop the idea of “E go better mirage”. Every of life’s solution answers the law of farming, the quality of your seed will determine the quality of harvest.
Let us be the generation that reshapes our nation, let us set high standards for our schools, let us be the generation that ends poverty in Nigeria, every single person willing to work should be able to get a job and earn a living. Let us be the generation that frees Nigeria from the shackles of dependence on oil. We can turn this crisis of global warming into a period of opportunities. Let us make the future generation proud of what we have been able to achieve. Politics should cease to divide us. We can make Nigeria great again.
My Fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, in the A.C,ANPP,PDP,LP,PPA,DPA and all others we have work to do. Let us build a new Nigeria where we can feed our kids, send them to school, say what we think and write what we think without hearing a sudden knock on the door, where we can start a good business without going through hell, participate in the political system without fear of assassination and that our votes will be counted, where all will have a decent shot at good life and know that the doors of opportunities remains wide open. Let me be clear, we have real enemies and they must be found and humbled.
The issue of election rigging and electoral reforms must not be taken with levity because that is the foundation in which any society is built. A society which does not have an electoral system that can produce credible leaders is jinxed. The history of election rigging has been since independence. Most of us here in this hall would remember the most wicked robbing of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the 1979 presidential elections and which was followed by the 1983 massive madness.
The 1993 annulment of Chief M.K.O Abiola’s election which was adjudged freest and fairest is still fresh in our memories.
Lately we saw the 2003 and 2007 shameful dance in the market square, what also of the daylight robbery and rape of the good Ekiti people during the last Governorship Re-Run which I termed the “Ido Osi abracadabra”? The much awaited 2010 governorship election in Anambra State has already been won before next year by a certain political party, what kind of people are these so called leaders of ours? Is this the kind of legacy the late Obafemi Awolowo,Nnamdi Azikwe and Tafawa Balewa left behind for them? Why are they planning to leave this unhealthy, uncivilized and satanic legacy behind for our own generation? My people I am not a soothsayer or neither am I psychic but if we do not rise up now, the 2011 elections might be the last straw that will break the camel’s back. We all must rise up to save our future now.
The people at the helms of affairs who have dictated the pace at which we move in this nation have been retrogressive and I say “so far so bad”.
Now is the time for us all to forget our differences, sheathe the swords, call back the warriors, end the war and face our enemies, the enemies of progress, the enemies of our future, and the enemies of our dear country, Nigeria.
This is a small advice for our fathers and mothers here seated, Sirs and Mas, let us reclaim this part of the country and end the era of mainstream politics which they have used to rob us of our values and valuables then we can follow the Yoruba adage which says”Ile ni ati nko esho rode”.
I cannot imagine the spate of development we would have witnessed if we had a Rauf Aregbesola as governor in Osun state, a Kayode Fayemi in Ekiti State,or the progressives in Oyo and Ogun and then maintain the status quo of our ever progressive, ever developing and ever performing governor of Lagos State, Our own Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola(SAN).Even the Speaker of the house of Representatives(Hon Dimeji Bankole) who is a member of another political party confirmed this during the last post amnesty summit and I quote him” To some of you who have been in Lagos in the last one year I am sure you will notice a difference. And I am not shy to appreciate that there is a difference in Lagos. It is good governance”. We are all always proud of this great man of great achievements. I tell us here today that we can see more of this if we lend our support to the progressives. We must alter the Status quo come 2011.
Nigerian youths, we must rise up now and save our future. The present crop of leaders must be made to realise it is our future they are toying with. We must end this visionless tenure by 2011 with our votes.
On the issue of electoral reforms, I feel we need to seriously reform our leaders to be responsive ones before we can achieve any electoral system purity.
It is shameful to see Ghana progress while we retrogress with all the God given human and natural resources and Nigerians cannot still get a good life. Or is our language Ghana must go turning out to become Nigeria must go? One cannot but continue to wonder why we are where we are. We must take the bull by the horn as what we sow now is what will determine what we will reap in few years time.
Nigerian youths as we enter into the murky waters of Nigerian politics for service to the people, the masses and most importantly the youths, is there anyone who still doubts that Oyo State is a place where all things are possible? Is there anyone who still wonders if the dream of our forefathers is still alive in our time? I tell you today, we are the ones we have been waiting for.
I know there are some who do not believe we can do all these things. I understand the fear, afterall every four years, politicians come with promises and immediately after the elections are far gone they disappear into thin air and make people struggle on their own.I know some will say we have not learnt enough but I tell you that we have been on ground to know the necessity of the change we all clamour for and that Nigeria must rise again. That is why it must not be all about me but what we can all do together. This must be the occasion, the vehicle of our hopes and dreams. It will take our energy and time but I tell you there is light at the end of the tunnel. We must reclaim the true meaning of citizenship, restore our sense of common purpose and realise that the few obstacles cannot withstand the power of millions of voices calling for change. Divided we are bound to fail.
I tell you there is power in words, conviction and that under all the differences of race, religion and region we are still one people.
Let us win the next battle for justice, fairplay, hope, an egalitarian society and a new Nigeria. I implore you to join in this quest for a new Nigeria of your dream, my dream and our dream.
Do you feel the same energy as I do? Do you feel the same passion as I do? Do you feel destiny calling? Do you see a future of endless possibilities? If you sense as I do that now is the time to wake up from our slumber and make good on the debt we owe past and future generations, then I’m ready to take up the cause, march with you and work with you.
Today let us together finish the work that is pending and usher in a new beginning and the birth of a new Nigeria. And out of this political darkness a brighter day will surely come.
To God Almighty, We glorify, Adore, Praise and Worship you
To My Father and Mother, We thank and appreciate you
To my Brothers and Sisters, We cherish you
To my friends and contemporaries, We shall make you proud
To my Family Members, we shall sustain the good name
To those who love us, We love you
To those who hate us, We appease you
To those enemies of an egalitarian and new Nigeria, The end has come, We shall defeat you
God bless our leaders, God bless we the followers, God bless Nigerian youths, God bless our dear country, Nigeria.
Thank you all. Journey mercies
Action Congress...............Democracy forever
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Sunday, September 6, 2009
You are the best......
There will always be an obstacle, all the way to the top. We live in a society where many people expect you to fail. We breed enemies of success who make your business their business. They see you in their dreams. They tell you how you should live your life. They are angry when you look happy and joyous. Your failure is their greatest delight. They thrive on rumours.
I am yet to see a great man without controversies so if you worry too much about what people would say, especially behind you, you will never step out of your house.
King Sunny Ade sang “Let Them Say” while Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey even expanded on the theme in his philosophical song about an old man, his son and their ass.The father rode on the ass, While the son walked behind him, and wicked people said he was a wicked man making his son walk behind him while he is enjoying riding the ass.
He dropped and allowed his son to ride; they met him again and enquired why he will allow his son ride while he walks behind.
They both climbed the ass and when they met him, He was accused of wanting to kill the ass.
They dropped and the ass was walking while they walked behind and they laughed them saying they are daft allowing the ass to walk majestically while they walk behind.
There is a saying about honey that no matter what you change the name of honey to, you cannot change the sweetness
A good example of my analysis above is the life of Late Chief M.K.O Abiola who had a lot of people who loved him and also a lot of enemies who said unprintable things about him, Inquired about his source of wealth, called him an Islamic Fundamentalist.
Abiola didn’t mind and went ahead with his life and service to humanity par excellence.
He never forgot to point out anytime he had the opportunity that he was not a perfect man.
He succeeded in engraving his name on the heart of many people before leaving this world and also won the Election considered as the freest and fairest in the history of this nation.
Be reminded that no matter what people say about you, Be the best you can, Do your best and leave the rest.
In no time the people who are criticizing you will be the ones to praise you.
Believe in yourself, Be sure you are the best, Be second to none, Live a God fearing life and Love your neighbours as yourself.
God knows you before he made you and you are so beautiful in his eyes.
You are the best.
I am yet to see a great man without controversies so if you worry too much about what people would say, especially behind you, you will never step out of your house.
King Sunny Ade sang “Let Them Say” while Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey even expanded on the theme in his philosophical song about an old man, his son and their ass.The father rode on the ass, While the son walked behind him, and wicked people said he was a wicked man making his son walk behind him while he is enjoying riding the ass.
He dropped and allowed his son to ride; they met him again and enquired why he will allow his son ride while he walks behind.
They both climbed the ass and when they met him, He was accused of wanting to kill the ass.
They dropped and the ass was walking while they walked behind and they laughed them saying they are daft allowing the ass to walk majestically while they walk behind.
There is a saying about honey that no matter what you change the name of honey to, you cannot change the sweetness
A good example of my analysis above is the life of Late Chief M.K.O Abiola who had a lot of people who loved him and also a lot of enemies who said unprintable things about him, Inquired about his source of wealth, called him an Islamic Fundamentalist.
Abiola didn’t mind and went ahead with his life and service to humanity par excellence.
He never forgot to point out anytime he had the opportunity that he was not a perfect man.
He succeeded in engraving his name on the heart of many people before leaving this world and also won the Election considered as the freest and fairest in the history of this nation.
Be reminded that no matter what people say about you, Be the best you can, Do your best and leave the rest.
In no time the people who are criticizing you will be the ones to praise you.
Believe in yourself, Be sure you are the best, Be second to none, Live a God fearing life and Love your neighbours as yourself.
God knows you before he made you and you are so beautiful in his eyes.
You are the best.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Champions are Champions
Champions are champions because they are criticized.
No matter what others say about you, always remember that you are going to stand before God alone and give an account of what you did with your life on earth so never allow the criticism of others to keep you from being in God's perfect will for ur life.
Remember, David was criticized heavily just before he killed Goliath- 1st Sam17v28. You cant please everyone! Tryin to please everyone is a great curse- Luke6v26.
No wonder Elbert Hubbard said "2 avoid criticism, do notin, say notin, b notin" & "d man who is anybody and who does anything is surely goin 2b criticized, vilified, and misundastood. This is part of the penalty 4 greatness".
U've dared to be great, dare to expect criticism and dare to stay in God's will!A successful person is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks the others throw at him or her- David Brinkley.
No matter what others say about you, always remember that you are going to stand before God alone and give an account of what you did with your life on earth so never allow the criticism of others to keep you from being in God's perfect will for ur life.
Remember, David was criticized heavily just before he killed Goliath- 1st Sam17v28. You cant please everyone! Tryin to please everyone is a great curse- Luke6v26.
No wonder Elbert Hubbard said "2 avoid criticism, do notin, say notin, b notin" & "d man who is anybody and who does anything is surely goin 2b criticized, vilified, and misundastood. This is part of the penalty 4 greatness".
U've dared to be great, dare to expect criticism and dare to stay in God's will!A successful person is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks the others throw at him or her- David Brinkley.
The door seems closed, what next?
World organizations like the UN, WHO, IMF e.t.c rate Africa as having the highest number of povertyrate and low income. In fact Nigeria is rated as having most of its citizens living below an average of$1 per day. Looking at the embezzlement that occurs in government and the lavish spending of therich & famous, one would want to doubt the truth of such report, but when you get out of your carand walk along with the common man then you would find out things you would have neverbelieved.A common situation graduates in Nigeria find themselves is the search of a job that is not there or atleast for few compared to the number of graduates released into the economy yearly. After so manyfruitless searches, they feel the door is closed and only open for the few with the right influence.Every human has the right to good health, food, water and shelter and should not be viewed as aprivilege to few.It is rather a shameful situation for political aspirants of this century of ours, to still be stating intheir manifesto that they would give good roads, water, food and health to the citizenry. They haveinfluenced the society to believe it is a privilege they should be grateful for when it is provided tothem. Rather those social amenities should be the first major concern of every government todevelop and maintain them for economic development. In this century we should be havingpolitical leaders talk about the policies they would implement when they get in the office. Thepractice of politics without principle is a direction towards destruction of a society.Although, 52% of the Nigeria population falls within the active age of 15-64 which is regarded asthe working or productive age in an economy which is a very good advantage to Nigeria but theleaders have not put in place adequate and functional policies to make use of such labouradvantage. If Australia has such an age distribution it would have grown faster than its present rateand would not be requiring the need of skilled labour from around the world.Conclusively, the door may seem closed but the main issue is that hope has simply been lost. Weneed to reengineer our focus towards building our society. By focusing on developing our societywe would be able to achieve individual goals. When people come together with a common voicethose doors could be crashed and various opportunities will emerge for everyone to grab and makeuse of. Gone are those days when one man does it all, these days we need to leverage on the powerof team. Like it is said “No sacrifice No Victory”, we need to sacrifice something to get something.What we sacrifice depends on how important is what we want in return.
Youths: The ushers of a new era
It is sad these days as some youths are not willing to play active parts in decision making process (e.g. politics) andare mostly used as tools for distraction and destructions to successive development of the society. This is incontras to the actual purpose of youth in the society which is to act as; the driver of change in the society,originator of fresh ideas, the voice of the next generation, the caretaker of the elders.However, youths in recent times have lost their focus in building today because they are restlessly pursuing withgreed the rewards of the future. Forgetting that the present is a gift to youths, so that they may prepare a solidtomorrow for the next generation to build a proper future. Many great men achieved their greatness while in theiryouthful age or at least vision it.The story of Sir Isaac Newton is a typical example of a young man who was on holiday at his grandmother’scountry home, fell asleep under an apple tree. Only to be waken up by a fallen apple that made him ask thequestion that changed his life and humanity in general “Why did the apple fall down?” that question broughtabout him researching and developing the Law of gravity as a basic principle for scientists.At the Age of 27 Alexandra the Great had conquered more than half of the world thereby expanding the RomanEmpire. He became the Caesar at the age of 21 and led his army into various battles, despite protest fromdifferent quarters that there was too much battles fought.Nelson Mandela of South Africa, was in a tender age of 34 when he led prominently in the ANP‘s 1952 DefianceCampaign which was part of the basis that lead to the anti-apartheid cause. He was a fighter for the freedom ofAfricans; even in the face of death he stood his ground.The story will be remembered of the great Chief Obafemi Awolowo of Nigeria, who at 41 founded a formidableparty (Action Group) in 1950 which was a strong frontier for the Yoruba race. He will be remembered for his use ofpolitical principles to fight for and rule his people as the premiere.Youths have demonstrated in history that overcoming obstacles to achieve worthwhile goals gives our livesmeaning and provides satisfaction. Those youths that challenge the norm and seek the best for their people andhumanity in general have had their names passed down the history lane.We should ask ourselves, what path are we leaving for the next generation behind us to tread? Or are we just goingto sit and wait for a dream that as never been put into action come to reality? The answer to these lies in our veryattitude towards the environment we live in. We need to stand up for the change and get involved in the movementof change towards our dream nation.A Chinese proverb says “A Wiseman makes his own decisions; an ignorant man follows public opinion”.
MY AGENDA (TIME FOR LIBERATION)
A. Educational System Overhaul
Obviously, we all know the power and effect of an educated mind. Nigeria of present can be said not to give qualitative education anymore but just compulsory education. A nation that sees the need to build its younger generation would realize that it starts from giving sound and qualitative education. Our past real leaders like Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikwe, Tafawa Balewa and Ahmadu Bello were given sound education and that is why they were able to deliver. We need a resuscitation and revaluation of our educational system to build and give moral values to our younger generation.
Under this bill we have
1. Massive schools/classrooms renovation and construction of new ones.
2. Better packages for the teachers and Lecturers.
3. Free education to the secondary school level.
4. Raising the level of public schools to meet or almost meet the level of private schools but must be free to secondary level to create competition and reduction in the fees of private schools.
5. Housing and car loans for teachers.
6. Re-introduction of scholarships to brilliant students.
B.Freedom of Information Bill (FOI)
One of the major problems we have in Nigeria is the issue of corrupt leaders and by giving journalist and people the power to probe public office holders we will do ourselves a lot of good. It will open up governance and scare away people with no agenda and give space for people who have a lot to offer. It will also make the people the watchdog of the people we elect henceforth. This bill must include
1. Full freedom of speech and movement.
2. Full access to information on public office holders or prospective public office holders.i.e public and private life.
C.Nigeria Police Force Repositioning Bill
We can never curb corruption if we don’t take good care of the police who are supposed to be the enforcer of laws made. We need to seriously look into this if we are truly sincere of making Nigeria great again. No where in the world is their police force neglected as we do in Nigeria. Without a vibrant and strong Police force we cannot get up from our slumber. This includes:
1. Better Housing scheme
2. Increase in salary package and prompt payment. (If a person working in the bank can collect thousands of Naira, why not a police man?)
3. Regular training of the police and if possible they should be sent abroad for courses.
4. Life insurance scheme for them all. It is most important. Let them know the job they are doing is worth it and that their families would not suffer if they loose their lives working for their fatherland.
5. They should be well armed so as to be able to face the challenges of our society.
6. Promotion as at when due
7. Recognition of gallantry on battle front with incentives or promotion.
D.EFCC Re- Arrangement
I suggest the EFCC be brought under a better and new police force as suggested above so that we will not double our effort. The police force can have an anti fraud section called EFCC and it should be extended to local governments and States and not only left at the federal level. This will only make it a toothless bulldog.
E.YOUTH Empowerment Bill
The rate at which we allow our idle youths to indulge in crime is alarming. We cannot but seriously look into this, as there is always no plan for a normal Nigerian graduate. It is very sad to note that in a country like ours, our youths are fast becoming the ills of the society due to neglect by the government. I will seek to pass this bill on mass employment drive, I will include in the bill to make sure foreign companies in Nigeria tell us the number of Nigerians in their workforce and also tell us the quota they will give henceforth to balance the equation or we stop them from milking us dry.
F.Electoral System Reforms
Most important of all the bills. Without an almost crystal clear electoral system in Nigeria where we can produce credible leaders who are the wishes of the people all what I have highlighted above or would below are just waste of time and effort. We need to cleanse the system totally. The chairman of INEC must henceforth not be chosen by the president. The state must not have powers over INEC and INEC must not be funded by the government. It must be 100% independent. I also suggest the switching of our system of governance from presidential to Parliamentary which is cheaper and more effective. With this we will reduce the powers of the president drastically so that we stop having Presidents who have absolute powers as we know that absolute power corrupts absolutely. A thorough Reform of the Electoral System is needed.
G.Resource Control
The issue of resource control has caused so much havoc in recent times for our nation. I support a partial control of resources but not until we have been able to develop the natural resources available to each state of the federation so that they can be independent also i.e Charcoal for Enugu etc.The world is turning away from oil and I hope we dont get into trouble with our dependence on oil. We need to move fast on this and leave the era of dependence on oil. We need to develop back our Agriculture skills, we have palm oil in the east, there is limestone, precious stone etc.I heard about the discovery of Gold sometimes ago but I havent been able to confirm. Doing this, we would have developed a vibrant and strong economy that would not rely on what America buys from us to decide our budget. The money made from oil was used to develop tourism in Dubai and they have stopped depending on oil alone as tourism is their major source now. Nigeria must move fast.
H.National Youth Service Corps
This is also known as NYSC. I am in full support of the scraping if we cannot re-arrange and stop the idea of our young generation being killed all in the name of religious crisis or riots. I think it is senseless to make our leaders of tomorrow face this hazard. We seriously look into it or we scrap it. Does it even guarantee a job after the one year service? Does it meet up with the intention of serving one’s father’s land? Does it build the traits we intend it for? Does it work on our orientation? We need to look into all these questions.
I. National Identification/ Orientation
We must come to realize that sooner or later we need a form of identification. Not the kind of identification we just had in Nigeria but a more serious and sincere one. If we clamour for a better Nigeria where our citizens cannot be identified in this new world order where things are going from bad to worst. I think we must take this serious. We must realize the need to be selfless about issues like this and not see it as an avenue to become rich. This is an issue that has been making me think real deep because it is more serious than we see it. We firstly must work on re-orientating ourselves, forget the past and make ourselves see the reason why Nigeria needs all of us to come together to build it.Re-orientation and after, a thorough and sincere mode of identification which would be monitored by the judiciary and the new police force might work. Not the one by the politicians, who would want to favour their supporters.
J.Local Government Independency
We all know that local governments in Nigeria eat from the crumbs that falls from the table of the State Governments. It is very wrong. The Local governments are the most close to the people and must be independent and also well funded so that the dividends of democracy can get to the man/woman at the grassroot.We must make all these our tiers of government less attractive so that greedy people will be less attracted. A local government Chairman who is not a member of the ruling party in a State would be sure to get very little allocation at the end of the month that can even hardly pay the salaries of his/her workers. Or even a chairman who is not in the good books of the State executive. It is very disheartening. This is not selfless service to the people. It must be corrected
K.Infrastructural Overhauling
We must realize that some of our infrastructures must be privatized but must follow due process. Not the kind of privatization done recently where the rich gets all. A privatization that will concede some percentages of these things to private companies to manage. This will provide more jobs for the people, give more revenue income to the government and also revive most of our dead structures. I suggest most of our roads to be privatized. With this, we can have good and accessible roads even if it means paying toll fees to keep the companies going and as maintenance fees. It is worth it than all the death traps we have that we call roads.
L. Youths Participation in politics
Franklin D. Roosevelt said and I quote we cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future.
While John Fitzgerald Kennedy said and I quote The Jewish people, ever since David slew Goliath, have never considered youth as a barrier to leadership.”
Nigerian youths now is the time to join the system so as to be fully involved in decision making and also to be involved in the choosing henceforth of who becomes our leaders.
It is very important, As this is our future and we must all strive to make sure we secure a better tomorrow for ourselves. We cannot continue overlooking; we must realize that this is the time to start taking charge.
We must be conscious of who rules us hence and we must rise also to put ourselves forward for the service of our fatherland. We can do it.
M.Sovereign National Conference
This is the solution to Nigeria’s multifarious problems. We must come to terms with the fact that we need to convene this Conference where all and sundry can sit and look into the many problems facing this nation and seek to proffer solutions to them all. We need to seriously look into the issue of the 1999 Constitution which we operate, Niger Delta, Resource control, System of Government, Electoral System e.t.c.
For Nigeria to move forward as a nation, we must convene a sovereign National Conference.
NIGERIA MUST RISE AGAIN
A. Educational System Overhaul
Obviously, we all know the power and effect of an educated mind. Nigeria of present can be said not to give qualitative education anymore but just compulsory education. A nation that sees the need to build its younger generation would realize that it starts from giving sound and qualitative education. Our past real leaders like Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikwe, Tafawa Balewa and Ahmadu Bello were given sound education and that is why they were able to deliver. We need a resuscitation and revaluation of our educational system to build and give moral values to our younger generation.
Under this bill we have
1. Massive schools/classrooms renovation and construction of new ones.
2. Better packages for the teachers and Lecturers.
3. Free education to the secondary school level.
4. Raising the level of public schools to meet or almost meet the level of private schools but must be free to secondary level to create competition and reduction in the fees of private schools.
5. Housing and car loans for teachers.
6. Re-introduction of scholarships to brilliant students.
B.Freedom of Information Bill (FOI)
One of the major problems we have in Nigeria is the issue of corrupt leaders and by giving journalist and people the power to probe public office holders we will do ourselves a lot of good. It will open up governance and scare away people with no agenda and give space for people who have a lot to offer. It will also make the people the watchdog of the people we elect henceforth. This bill must include
1. Full freedom of speech and movement.
2. Full access to information on public office holders or prospective public office holders.i.e public and private life.
C.Nigeria Police Force Repositioning Bill
We can never curb corruption if we don’t take good care of the police who are supposed to be the enforcer of laws made. We need to seriously look into this if we are truly sincere of making Nigeria great again. No where in the world is their police force neglected as we do in Nigeria. Without a vibrant and strong Police force we cannot get up from our slumber. This includes:
1. Better Housing scheme
2. Increase in salary package and prompt payment. (If a person working in the bank can collect thousands of Naira, why not a police man?)
3. Regular training of the police and if possible they should be sent abroad for courses.
4. Life insurance scheme for them all. It is most important. Let them know the job they are doing is worth it and that their families would not suffer if they loose their lives working for their fatherland.
5. They should be well armed so as to be able to face the challenges of our society.
6. Promotion as at when due
7. Recognition of gallantry on battle front with incentives or promotion.
D.EFCC Re- Arrangement
I suggest the EFCC be brought under a better and new police force as suggested above so that we will not double our effort. The police force can have an anti fraud section called EFCC and it should be extended to local governments and States and not only left at the federal level. This will only make it a toothless bulldog.
E.YOUTH Empowerment Bill
The rate at which we allow our idle youths to indulge in crime is alarming. We cannot but seriously look into this, as there is always no plan for a normal Nigerian graduate. It is very sad to note that in a country like ours, our youths are fast becoming the ills of the society due to neglect by the government. I will seek to pass this bill on mass employment drive, I will include in the bill to make sure foreign companies in Nigeria tell us the number of Nigerians in their workforce and also tell us the quota they will give henceforth to balance the equation or we stop them from milking us dry.
F.Electoral System Reforms
Most important of all the bills. Without an almost crystal clear electoral system in Nigeria where we can produce credible leaders who are the wishes of the people all what I have highlighted above or would below are just waste of time and effort. We need to cleanse the system totally. The chairman of INEC must henceforth not be chosen by the president. The state must not have powers over INEC and INEC must not be funded by the government. It must be 100% independent. I also suggest the switching of our system of governance from presidential to Parliamentary which is cheaper and more effective. With this we will reduce the powers of the president drastically so that we stop having Presidents who have absolute powers as we know that absolute power corrupts absolutely. A thorough Reform of the Electoral System is needed.
G.Resource Control
The issue of resource control has caused so much havoc in recent times for our nation. I support a partial control of resources but not until we have been able to develop the natural resources available to each state of the federation so that they can be independent also i.e Charcoal for Enugu etc.The world is turning away from oil and I hope we dont get into trouble with our dependence on oil. We need to move fast on this and leave the era of dependence on oil. We need to develop back our Agriculture skills, we have palm oil in the east, there is limestone, precious stone etc.I heard about the discovery of Gold sometimes ago but I havent been able to confirm. Doing this, we would have developed a vibrant and strong economy that would not rely on what America buys from us to decide our budget. The money made from oil was used to develop tourism in Dubai and they have stopped depending on oil alone as tourism is their major source now. Nigeria must move fast.
H.National Youth Service Corps
This is also known as NYSC. I am in full support of the scraping if we cannot re-arrange and stop the idea of our young generation being killed all in the name of religious crisis or riots. I think it is senseless to make our leaders of tomorrow face this hazard. We seriously look into it or we scrap it. Does it even guarantee a job after the one year service? Does it meet up with the intention of serving one’s father’s land? Does it build the traits we intend it for? Does it work on our orientation? We need to look into all these questions.
I. National Identification/ Orientation
We must come to realize that sooner or later we need a form of identification. Not the kind of identification we just had in Nigeria but a more serious and sincere one. If we clamour for a better Nigeria where our citizens cannot be identified in this new world order where things are going from bad to worst. I think we must take this serious. We must realize the need to be selfless about issues like this and not see it as an avenue to become rich. This is an issue that has been making me think real deep because it is more serious than we see it. We firstly must work on re-orientating ourselves, forget the past and make ourselves see the reason why Nigeria needs all of us to come together to build it.Re-orientation and after, a thorough and sincere mode of identification which would be monitored by the judiciary and the new police force might work. Not the one by the politicians, who would want to favour their supporters.
J.Local Government Independency
We all know that local governments in Nigeria eat from the crumbs that falls from the table of the State Governments. It is very wrong. The Local governments are the most close to the people and must be independent and also well funded so that the dividends of democracy can get to the man/woman at the grassroot.We must make all these our tiers of government less attractive so that greedy people will be less attracted. A local government Chairman who is not a member of the ruling party in a State would be sure to get very little allocation at the end of the month that can even hardly pay the salaries of his/her workers. Or even a chairman who is not in the good books of the State executive. It is very disheartening. This is not selfless service to the people. It must be corrected
K.Infrastructural Overhauling
We must realize that some of our infrastructures must be privatized but must follow due process. Not the kind of privatization done recently where the rich gets all. A privatization that will concede some percentages of these things to private companies to manage. This will provide more jobs for the people, give more revenue income to the government and also revive most of our dead structures. I suggest most of our roads to be privatized. With this, we can have good and accessible roads even if it means paying toll fees to keep the companies going and as maintenance fees. It is worth it than all the death traps we have that we call roads.
L. Youths Participation in politics
Franklin D. Roosevelt said and I quote we cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future.
While John Fitzgerald Kennedy said and I quote The Jewish people, ever since David slew Goliath, have never considered youth as a barrier to leadership.”
Nigerian youths now is the time to join the system so as to be fully involved in decision making and also to be involved in the choosing henceforth of who becomes our leaders.
It is very important, As this is our future and we must all strive to make sure we secure a better tomorrow for ourselves. We cannot continue overlooking; we must realize that this is the time to start taking charge.
We must be conscious of who rules us hence and we must rise also to put ourselves forward for the service of our fatherland. We can do it.
M.Sovereign National Conference
This is the solution to Nigeria’s multifarious problems. We must come to terms with the fact that we need to convene this Conference where all and sundry can sit and look into the many problems facing this nation and seek to proffer solutions to them all. We need to seriously look into the issue of the 1999 Constitution which we operate, Niger Delta, Resource control, System of Government, Electoral System e.t.c.
For Nigeria to move forward as a nation, we must convene a sovereign National Conference.
NIGERIA MUST RISE AGAIN
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
