Dear President M. Yar'Adua; A microcosm of Nigerians in the Diaspora succinctly objected to conduct of the last election and wished that it were transparent to elect an honorable man like you into office may be we would not be holding this conversation.
You have exhibited the making of a good man judging from your temperament and some of the decisions you have thus far made. Most people so far have spoken positively about you personally but blamed the system that elected you into office.
Does being a good man anything to right the wrong? Not necessarily in so far as the eagle eye of the law and civil society dictate. But that said the People of Nigeria have handed the question of the outcome of the April 2007 election into the hand of the judiciary. Given what we have now the Nigerian people must rally round Mr. President to move Nigeria forward until the court reaches a final decision.
The overriding question most Nigerians and the world at large are asking thus; With all the resources and skill and unskilled man power that abound in Nigeria, why is Nigeria unable to provide for her citizens in terms of, Infrastructure, Quality of education, good health care, food, electricity, good road network, employment, quality of life and security?
It is pristine for the well to do Nigerians to travel abroad for medical check ups and other goods and services. It is also a mark of prestige to say that one has houses and bank accounts overseas and best of all that my pregnant wife will travel overseas to have our baby. This is only a mind set emanating from lack of love and confidence for one’s country but does it take a rocket scientist to realize that what is in Europe could also be made available in Nigeria?
I was impressed with the prison guard at Abuja who challenged the incarcerated Ex-Governors for complaining about the squalid condition of the prison. He opined that had the Ex-Governors utilized the money earmarked for the well fare of the people they would have found a befitting environment at the prison. Well again no condition is permanent and little did the Ex-Governors knew that a big lesson was awaiting them at the end of the tunnel to learn.
Nigerians and world at large were stunned when they learned that the former First Lady died on the table of a quack plastic surgeon in Span. What a paradox since Nigeria has such qualified surgeons abroad but could not come home to practice for the lack of the afore-mention amenities in a country endowed with avalanche of resources. Mr. President this is the direct out come of Brain Drain and counting.
Mr. President, it will not serve you and the country any good to continue to recycle more of the same old group that took us to the old path that we tasted and rejected into position of responsibilities. They only have only one thing in mind to tell you what you want to hear to their own advantage simple. Time and opportunity is on your side to seize the moment to prove to the world that Nigeria can do it. Our motto as a nation should read, “Nigeria Can Do It”
I know that it is easy to quarterback from the outside but a little bit of suggestions and fresh ideas will not hurt you and I crave your indulgence to proffer the following suggestions hoping that every contribution helps.
1. The Federal government cannot legislate for every state and local government and that said it is pertinent to defer the residual lists like agriculture, education, limited foreign trade and quality of life to states/region as it were during the Tafawa Belewa era.
2. Decentralize the Nigerian police to give the state government a better grip of internal security. I know this will come with a stiff opposition because of the fear of the unknown and possible abuse by the state government but it will require a lot of education. I know it would require a legislative process but you can initiate such a bill and lobby it to pass as a law.
3. Bring fresh blood with fresh knowledge of market and economic theories on board to formulate policies in sync with growth that will lift up Nigerians instead of the type of tit for tat policy Nigerians experienced during the past eight years. Recognition of good job performance should be acknowledged for the likes of Soludo, Ngozi Iwela, and Ezekwisili for the wonderful work they did and still doing.
4. Find lasting solutions to the aggrieved states that are economically marginalized and politically disenfranchised to eliminate rancor and possible instability. No section of the country wants to break away instead aggrieved groups form pressure groups to express their dissatisfactions hence the need for SNC to provide a forum for open discussion and possible lasting solutions.
5. Release all aggrieved ethnic leaders currently in detention to start a fresh beginning and appoint a task force to look into their grievances and seek remedies becuase Clamping down on them only exacerbate the situation.
6. Engage in building a colossal infrastructure to create jobs and provide good road networks that will enhance distribution of goods and services.
7. Be a president to all Nigeria as your opponent Gen. Buhari opined he would be if he were elected this is a daunting benchmark to meet but it is doable.
8. The electoral system must be over hauled to attract good and knowledgeable people into the system and build confidence and respect from Nigerians and the world community.
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Anaedo Hamburg, Germany August 06, 2007
Thank you bros for the great suggestion.
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