The challenge of development is arguably one of the greatest problems that have dominated world history. Aside from being difficult to fight a problem you cannot see or measure, what constitutes the greatest impediment in every development process says experts are leader’s erroneous belief that; the sooner the project is started, the sooner it will be finished. Wearing this frame of mind, government agencies and establishments in their attempt to develop the society, lose sight to the fact that the primary goal of every government should be to improve the life chances of the citizens through the implementation of plans, policies and budgets…
Author: JEROME-MARIO UTOMI
The Supreme Court is not the highest Court in our land. Our highest court is the court of public opinion which meets every hour.—Seitel (1987). It is a common knowledge that one of the intrinsic privileges participatory democracy and election of leaders confer on us is the enjoyment of access to ‘free flow of information which gives each individual more standing within the society without reference to a class or fortune- to claim a measure of dignity equal to all others and empowers individuals to scrutinize the use of power by those in government’. Considering this fact, I found nothing out-of-ordinary to…
From the excitement elicited so far, it will not be an overstatement to characterize as historic; the recent statement by Mr Sonny Echono, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Abuja, that the Federal Government has directed all primary and secondary schools across the country to immediately implement the teaching of history as a stand-alone subject from the next academic calendar. The situation is by no means a surprise as the most basic realities and consequences of not having history taught in schools had recently become not only predictable but real. Particularly,…
‘I believe the more we understand one another, the more we will reduce the chances of war or terrorism and of man’s violence against man’ -Hiebert (1988) Each passing day brings yet more evidence that we are facing a national challenge -such evidence made manifest during a conversation with some Pro-RUGA advocates. The position which I had not only considered a strange logic but left me lost in the maze of high voltage confusion centred on their claim that neither Mr President nor his handlers should be blamed for the dust raised by the national debate construed around the now…
In a speech delivered at Project Hope 13th graduation ceremony held recently at Ute Okpu in Ika North East LGA, Delta State, Otive Igbuzor, PhD, founding executive director, African centre for leadership, strategy and development (Centre LSD), among other things underlined that Nigeria government has great roles to play in planning for and accelerating the development process. Surprisingly, like a prophet that was supernaturally informed of it and supernaturally moved to announce it, few days after that speech, the government is beginning to show seriousness in the great role of planning for, and accelerating the development through skill empowerment of its citizens…
‘I believe that when the plundering and debilitating hands of the military are removed from governance and the country’s infrastructure, educational and health system are reconstructed, Nigerians will enjoy a boom of creativity and productivity- Ola Vincent’, Former CBN Gov. Sept. 27, 1998. Democracy, taken objectively signifies the right to choose. What is, however, doubtful of this arrangement is the quality of people making such decisions. As experience has shown that when such number is placed under scrutiny, it often reveals that a greater percentage manifests signs of education but ill-informed while others exude burning desire to bring into play…
‘Creativity is ‘thinking up new things’, innovation is ‘doing new things’. In any society, there is no shortage of creativity or creative people; what is in short supply are innovators. These scarce people are the ones, who have the know-how, energy, daring and staying, power to implement ideas’—Professor Thomas Riskey Odhiambo Like the Vietnamese attack on Cambodia on the 25th December 1978, and subsequent occupation of same till 1991, threatened Asean solidarity, so was the corporate existence of our nationhood, in the last few weeks confronted by challenges that had its origin in the Federal Government proposed but now suspended establishment of…
I have for a very long time lived with a notion that views drug abuse-related conversations as not just a familiar music hall act but a dangerous fiction erroneously directed to non-drug abusers. But that belief fizzled out recently at the Social Centre, St. Agnes Catholic Church, Maryland, Lagos, after my participation in a symposium on combating drug abuse in Nigeria organised by the Justice Development and Peace Centre (JDPC). On that day, I was welcomed to the venue by an imposing banner conspicuously positioned with screaming but familiar inscriptions such as; say no to drug and illicit trafficking; drugs…
With the February 2019 general electoral over, and the intrigues that surrounded the out-of-the-ordinary election of the 9th Assembly principal officers rested, we are now collectively in the enlightened national interest faced with a greater responsibility of delivering our nation from the snares of dangerous political and socioeconomic delusions-via sincere contributions when we can and objective criticism when we should. Aside from the fact that success requires a careful analysis of the various kinds of knowledge needed to make innovation possible, assisting Mr President with useful road maps to the next level has become eminently desirable considering nationwide consensus that though he…
Talking about the public institution, Mahatma Gandhi in his autobiography titled; The Story of My Experiment with Truth, among other things stated that a public institution is an institution conducted with the approval, and from the funds of the public, warning that whenever such an institution ceases to have public support, it forfeits its right to exist. Institutions maintained on permanent funds, he noted, are often found to ignore public opinion, and are frequently responsible for acts contrary to it. And concluded that India at every step experienced situations where public institutions instead of living like nature, from day to…
The Multi-purpose Hall, in Alapere, a Lagos suburb, venue of the stage drama was filled to the brim. The stage was lavishly decorated to impress, and it did impress. Guests were relaxed in their sitting positions. They said little but listened more with rapt attention. Aside from having a colorful cast, the drama which had as a theme; Clutches of Widowhood, and organized by a faith-based group, was full of extreme suspense and combined intrigues and unexpected twists of details in different times and forms. Like the vast majority of Nigerian home movies, the stage drama amplified what has been on the mind…
The recently performed ritual tagged; Democracy Day offered me the ample opportunity to ruminate over the marriage of two unwilling brides who had no say in their forceful and ill-fated union- an amalgamation of the northern and the southern protectorates by Sir Lord Luggard, on the 14th February 1914, a day set aside to celebrate love all over the world, The British colonial overlords probably intended the protectorates to operate in a symmetrical manner with no part of the amalgam claiming superiority over the other. And at independence in 1960, Nigeria became a Federation, resting firmly on a trivet of…
Gordon S. Black of The University of Rochester, in his theory of political ambition; Career choices and role of structural incentives’’ posited that; as a politician rises to new positions of power and prominence, his motives for seeking political advancement becomes subjected to intense public scrutiny. In most cases, politicians try to promote the fiction that their motives are unsoiled by private ambitions, that all they wish is to serve the public and to pursue the ‘public good’. Deltans in the just concluded election subjected your political ambition to serious scrutiny- of which the outcome has made you both lucky and unlucky.…
I recall listening with real curiosity to Professor Anthony Akpoborie, a Geologist and Lecturer, speak passionately to underline his position and express the depth of his conviction on the topic; Community Rights to Sustainable Environment and Clean Water Supply in the Niger Delta. That event was held in Lagos. On that day, at that time and in that place, among other things, he stated communal rights to a clean environment and access to clean water supplies are being violated in the Niger Delta. By its admission, the oil industry has abandoned thousands of polluted sites in the region which need…
Ever since reports of incessant suicide took over our socioeconomic wavelengths, I have had the opportunity of reading different opinion articles by different writers, public affairs commentators and concerned citizens’- comments which I will safely but humbly describe as a counter, trans, cross and to some extent intercalary ideas. To the vast majority of commentators, the scourge is but a social malady fueled by the current socioeconomic condition in the country. To others, it is a psychological problem accelerated by individual’s lifestyles which can only be reduced by individuals, while in the opinion of the rest, the sudden surge in…
Mercy, in the strict sense of the word is heartfelt sympathy for another’s distress, compelling us to help if we can. But, properly speaking, mercy is a name sometimes applied to a feeling of pity or sentiment. Indeed, given the above words of Thomas Aquinas, and the sentiment recently expressed by Mr President over the poverty of the people and the elite’s failure to address the welfare and educational needs of the less privileged in the society, the hope of Nigerians that Mr President will provide answers to the pangs of socioeconomic challenges in the country appear to hang in the balance. Speaking during the breaking of fast at Aso Villa…
It is no longer news that media practitioners in Nigeria recently joined their colleagues the world over to celebrate the annual world Press freedom day. However, what made the celebration remarkable was President Muhammadu Buhari’s choice of the event to render in both simple and eloquent language words of admonition to the practitioners. On that day, at that time, and in that place, speaking through his special Adviser Media and Publicity Femi Adesina, Mr. President among other things urged the media practitioners to rededicate themselves to the role of being watchdogs of society. Promising that the government would continue to ensure that the media was not muzzled in any way…
Given the studied humility with which Nigerians accepted the outcome of the just concluded 2019 general elections in the country, it will not be an overstatement to say that the nation has happily made some meaningful progress. This fact may not be appreciated until we understand the dilemma post-elections violence has placed on so many countries, and the inherent dangers associated with such development. However, despite these exiting progress made, there is no word eloquent enough to express the true state of our nation than the words of Bishop Hassan KuKah the catholic Bishop of Catholic of SoKoto Diocese The Bishop had in his assessment…
In the words of Buzz Hargrove, a Canadian Labour leader, the future strength of every nation depends on its young people as their generation will provide the next leaders. Given this preceding position, it will not be an overstatement to characterize the recent gathering of about four thousand Nigerian youths at Ikeja, Lagos where they among other things condemned youth’s involvement in criminal activities and demanded good governance from our leaders. Essentially, aside from expressing their grievances about youth’s involvement in criminal acts such as; drug abuse, murder, insurgency militancy, armed robbery, participants at the event which was put together by the Catholic Youths Organization of…
Each time I question some of the theories advanced by successive administrations as reasons for unemployment rate in the country, one thing seems to standout. Aside from the government’s view of unemployment as a consequence of urban migration and laziness on the part of the Nigerian youths- a position which so distorts the problem, from the very birth of our nation, the nation have learned through the grim reality of life and history that there are many young people that want to earn a living by decent means but unemployment has become a promise many administrations ( past and present ) made without dedication or fulfillment. There are two separate but…
When Robert Goffee and Gareth Jones- both Professors at the London Business School in their report titled; why must anyone be led by you?,-advised leaders to always reveal their weaknesses(s) to their followers, they neither had the independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) , nor the just concluded 2019 general elections in mind. Yet, the consequence of INEC’s inability to apply this time-honoured rule in reporting the just-concluded general election has become the most popular explanation for the reactions that trailed the preliminary reports by foreign observers. Essentially, the duo (Robert Goffee and Gareth Jones), acutely conscious of, and sharply sensitive to the advantages associated with such recommendation, explained that when leaders reveal their weaknesses, they show us who they are warts and all, establish trust that this helps get folks on board, creates collaborative atmosphere, build…
Viewed objectively, I will agree that there is no event in recent history eloquent enough to demonstrate the true meaning of the saying; ‘Success is a lousy teacher that seduces the successful people to think that they cannot lose’, then the just concluded general election in the country. As the vast majority of the current public office holders notably entered the race to retain their positions with a similar mentality. Such hope at the very moment has waned as the result of the electoral contest did not only turned the other way for these politicians but was characterized by surprises that left a bitter political taste in their mouths. However, the same electoral contest that brought bitterness…
“We recognize that the engine of growth and development for any developing nation today lies in the ability to strategically cultivate and harness private as well as public sector efforts’ – Babatunde Raji Fashola – September 15, 2008 I remember reading soberly sometimes in 2008 a report of how Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) then Executive Governor of Lagos state while commissioning the reconstructed Ajose Adeogun street in Victoria island made the above remark. I have also at different meetings and conferences listened with real curiosity to some public office holders defend governments insufficiency in scope to develop the nation both economically…
Like every crisis that has its dangers and opportunities, this piece stems from a recent discussion I had with a very unique Nigerian–a man that has spent his time and resources serving others in Asaba Delta state capital. That was a few days after the gubernitoral election. For one thing, I was surprised and delighted that in present reality, aside from his possession of a ‘sharp mind and a sharp tongue to march’, there was no intrinsic difference between his views and that of another intelligent but self-contained Nigerian I interacted with during the presidential election-a discussion that later formed my…
For a nation to move forward both politically and socio-economically, the leaders must demonstrate esteem for talents, actively encouraging able men, and honoring those who excel in their profession. And encourage their citizens so that they can go peaceably about their business, whether it is trade, agriculture or any other human occupation. Going by these words of Niccolo Machiavelli, it hardly needs to be said that the nation Nigeria has an urgent challenge that it needs to find some answers to and soon. To shed more light on this piece, Nigeria is a vast country with vast problems that disrupt its progress-…
Given my preceding accreditation as a Domestic Electoral Observer by the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC), I took an early trip on Saturday 23rd February to a particular polling unit in Lagos, South-west Nigeria, to observe the rescheduled Presidential, senatorial and the House of Representative elections. On that day, at that time, and in that place, I met with young Nigerians mostly men sprinkled with a few women. They were from different tribes and states of the federation but united by a common objective- a sincere desire to engage as leaders best minds to help get the answers and deploy the resources we need…
By; Jerome-Mario Utomi “A- na ekwu na okuko a manye onu na nri, ochiri ukwu n’abo tinye (literarily translated as; a fowl is been accused of putting its mouth on a plate of food, yet it went ahead to step on it.). The above Igbo adage fittingly typifies the feelings by Nigerians in the morning of Saturday 16th February, 2019 when the INEC boss, Mahmood Yakubu during a press briefing in Abuja stated that ‘following a careful review of the implementation of its logistics and operational plan, and the determination to conduct free, fair, and credible elections, the commission came to the conclusion that proceeding with the elections as scheduled…
The National Election And Nagging Questions By; Jerome-Mario Utomi. For close to two decades, Nigerians’ have lived in a frightening situation called democracy. And under this superficial arrangement, the masses lost sight of the real and lasting meaning of both democracy and political playing field. And given the increasing diversity of our population, pockets of political disputes exist around the nation. But, from the current level of commitment so far demonstrated by well foresighted Nigerians, faith-based groups and civil society organizations toward having a free, fair, and credible general election, It appears there is a sincere desire by Nigerians to enthrone authentic leaders and engage…
By: Jerome- Mario Utomi. Like every new invention which comes with opportunities and challenges, there was a veiled agreement among participants at a recent gathering in Lagos, that social media originally created to foster sharing of ideas, thoughts, information, and encourage the building of virtual networks and communities, has turned a nightmare to some of its users particularly the youths. The graphic description of how youth’s uncensored access to social media adversely affects their education promotes fake news, and appreciably encourage premarital sexual escapade underscores this assertion. Indeed, it was clear that the participant at the one-day youth summit which had…
…’the way that leads to future termination of corruption is the correction of past corruption, For when it is known that those who cheated did not get away with it, prospective cheats should think twice before embarking on the negative venture’ -Wale Onyemakinde, the Guardian Newspapers of May 8, 1994. The recent directive by President Buhari urging media practitioners to among others things expose corrupt governors, local government chairmen, and other government officials, who embezzles public fund meant to improve the lots of their people, is but a pragmatic proof that politics is about grasping the moment. Apart from the…
