March 5, 2001
Prologue:
Looking out of my home office window, the snow covered landscape is a beauty to behold. The serene and quite but solid assurance that permeate this country side, is like day and night when compared to the turmoil that broods inside of me.
As far as the next door neighbor in the distance, there is nothing but white, windless and deposited tear drops of flurries. It is just beautiful but the silence, the solitude and the cold, flames the anger filled- nostalgia for home. Home is that country Nigeria.
- Where leaders squander every opportunity to promote the well being of their people.
- Where the people are oblivious of their responsibilities.
- Where people lack the sense of propriety which allow leaders to act as if, everything belongs to them.
- Where the public servant is the master and public service is a means to acquire untold wealth, that may rank with the world best in capital accumulation, without lifting a finger to engage in any entrepreneurial activity.
- Home is where the "littlelest" disease can send you to your grave.
- Where poverty, destitution and corruption has become a way of life. Given, taken and unchallenged.
- Where a nation has been unable to articulate its raison d'etre and neither has it been able to unite its differing units.
- Where they want to walk across the bridge and still engage in bridge burning before building it.
- Home is Nigeria. Nigeria we hail thee! Caught in the same endless dance toward nothingness.
On my drive back from Washington DC, Saturday night, I had a long conversation with myself and I want to share that with you. I opted for this medium as a means of allowing you an unfiltered account of the NIDO meeting, so that you can make up your mind.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. It may in fact be therapeutic, maybe glad that you were not there !
Report:
Arriving at the meeting at about 9am, the room was about 90% full. Please do not ever under estimate the power of the e-mail, I was able to meet so many people, who have been receiving e- mails from me.
The Nigeria High Commissioner to Canada was there and other top diplomatic staff of the Nigerian mission to the US, including, Ambassador. Joe Keshi. The meeting did not start until about two hours late( Nigerian time applies always). The Ambassador came very late but we finally got the meeting under way.
Professor Aminu, the Nigerian Ambassador to the United States, gave a very interesting speech, which highlighted the goals and objective of the government and as usually the case, he did it with some doses of humor(which was, in many instances, un necessary- At least I had not made the trip just for some stand up comedy (which reminded me of Atlanta), and makes one wonder about the Nigerian leadership style).
The Ambassador presented the President's vision and what has been done by the government to date. Simply that NIDO will be a non-profit and its activities will not be political in nature.
They have also set up an ad-hoc committee, made up of relevant ministers, the secretary to the government, the high commissioner to the UK, the permanent representative to the UN, some members of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council, the Consul general in Atlanta and the Ambassador himself. This committee made some recommendation to the government regarding the activities of the organization.
They also hope to have an office set up in the Presidency to coordinate these activities and to act as a link between the NGO and the government. In response to the committee's recommendation, the secretary to the government sent an approved set of guideline for the formation of NIDO America (later to be changed to Americas), to be based in DC and NIDO Europe to be based in London. The government also requested NIDO to submit its request for assistance as soon as it takes off.
The President's term of reference for the organization were as follows:
- to promote the spirit of patriotism among Nigerians and to encourage their participation in the affairs of their country;
- to encourage networking among Nigerians based on pressing economic, political, social and cultural issues;
- to enhance the image of Nigeria with a view to promoting business , trade and investment opportunities;
- to build-up a database of Nigerians with skills and make such database available for the benefit of the government, the private sector and Nigeria's development partners;
- to serve as technical advisers, partners, catalysts with respect to development policies, organization and implementation of programs in Nigeria;
- matters deemed necessary by the NGO
NIDO is therefore expected to pursue its own development and be self financing. The NGO is expected to be established in Abuja, Washington and London with the government providing adequate moral and material assistance at its take-off stage but "would thereafter allow it to run on its own without interference from the government" the government will in essence midwife the organization by supporting it but "has no interest in controlling it for any length of time". The agenda for the DC meeting according to the Ambassador was to:
- note the steps leading to the foundation of NIDO America- a Nigerian Diaspora NGO
- note the name, location and cognate relation of the new organization
- note its terms of reference as spelt out by the government
- note that government will give support, succor and promotion to the NGO in its early stages
- discuss and agree on both the immediate and long term structure of the NGO
- identify a small number of the key persons, widely distributed in the Americas, who will form the initial nucleus, the interim board of trustees and a director of the new organization to work with the Nigerian missions concerned to quickly establish the NGO
- determine the composition of the interim board, taking particular care to reflect the healthy diversity as to gender professions, geographical factors and others
- task the initial leadership group, the interim board and the director with the preparation of a the budget and of sourcing for funds and other support from the government and else where as well as collecting donations and subscription from Nigerians in America for safe keeping by the embassy in DC.
- charge the initial leadership with preparing the definitive structure... within three month.
- work with the embassy in the United State in physically setting up the initial offices in Washington including registration.
- agree to the modalities of social mobilization in order to bring as many Nigerians in the Americas into the organization
- deliberate and agree on any other issues that will help in the rapid take-off of the new organization.
Following his speech, Ambassador Joe Keshi invited one of the coordinators, helping the consulate to put NIDO together, to present a brief introduction of NIDO to the gathering. The objectives and aims of the organization reflected those already outlined by the government as well as those suggestions sent in by other Nigerians in response to the notice of the organization. And six recommendations, including its registration as a non-profit was presented to the participants. This was followed by comments and questions.
True to form, queues quickly formed and many participants began to ask questions, many wanted to know the extent of government involvement, while others wanted to know, if an office space will be provided in the Embassy. There were also some down right self promoting and stupid comments and questions.
On many occasions, the Ambassador in response, simply indicated that the guideline sent by the government will be adhere to. This session continued for over an hour after this and many seem surprised that people questioned the sincerity of the government while many applauded the government for this "kind gesture".
In my comment, I asked for the recusal of the Ambassador and all other government representative, in order to at least give an appearance of independence and lack of governmental control. I also made the point, that rather than allowing the continue rowdy discussion and disorganized session, which only allow the Ambassador to have the final say on virtually everything, that the gathering should be divided into committees, focusing on major agenda items and then meets later to make final presentation for discussion at the end as the committee of the whole.
I told him, it is important for us all to participate effectively and that if there is any appearance to the contrary, it will be debilitating to the organization. I as a Nigerian have a say in what my government does, it is a proud sense of propriety, one of which gives people in a democracy a sense of participation( this could be because they pay their taxes and wanted to know, how the money is spent or because they participate in elections and therefore know that their votes count), this I think is lacking in Nigeria and that it is about time , for all Nigerians to assume their responsibilities.
The Ambassador, in a misplaced sense of humor, thought it fit to comment on my hat and what he called my "American macho attitude" but continued to ignore any suggestion that might have allowed the participants to freely engage in the discussion of the purpose of the organization and to take control of the proceeding.
The high drama of the entire event came when the Ambassador asked for nomination to the membership of the board, he gave its composition as follows( no rationale was given and he - the Ambassador set the criteria and it was final);
- South West-1,
- South East-1,
- Atlanta -4 (later reduced to 3),
- North West -1.
- Atlantic seaboard-2,
- North East-1,
- Plain states-1 and
- Canada -2.
He then asked participants from these regions to meet and submit nominees immediately.
The place went wild and still, as participants try as much as possible to make sense of what is happening. Many disagreed with the composition and were frustrated but could do nothing about it because as some decided not to do anything at that point in time, some went ahead with the nomination, including attempts to conduct elections of the nominees.
Some names were eventually submitted to the Ambassador. At the end of it all, there were angry comments about the process and many walked out. This incident may eventually be the most singular event that will haunt the organization and it may never recover from it.
I am of the opinion that, 40% of the participants may have decided to no longer participate in the exercise because of this, the lack of independence and the continue hovering of the missions, over the organization.
Afterward, a motion was passed to establish NIDO and it was carried and the Ambassador announced that the next meeting will be in the fall and until then, the board will in collaboration with the Embassy coordinate activities of the organization.
Ambassador Keshi, in appreciation, of what he called my tireless effort to help disseminate information about NIDO,(complemented me through out the meeting and many people who have received many of my e-mails showed their appreciation), called on me to give a vote of thanks for NIDO.
I stood up and reiterated the position that I have held from the onset. I do not think the government should hover over this organization. And that governments give grants but if they want to control it, it becomes an agency of the government and if it is an NGO, it must be allowed to chart its own course, set its own goal and determine its own structure and objectives. I said that the Ambassador should have recused himself and that the President has no business setting the guidelines or the organization's terms of reference.
However, I am a believer in our increased participation in the affairs of our nation, in an attempt to end its terminal dance toward the abyss. And that we should be involved to change the leadership and make a change for the better. But , despite what happened here, those nominated to the board have a lot to do. The need to rehabilitate the organization and make amend for the appearance that has been created.
I then assured the Ambassador and the government, we shall not stop asking questions, we shall not stop condemning the wrongs that are being perpetrated, and we shall continue to demand probity and accountability, now and until there is an appreciable change for the better in our nation.
I thanked everybody for their participation but that the work has just started. I ended my votes of thanks, if you can call it that, reminding them that, this is a heart felt belief that we need to participate in order to make a change but this desire should not be misconstrued as an attempt to join in the wanton squander of the resources of our nation
Rehabilitate? - Oui ! :
On my way back , I couldn't but ponder the problems facing NIDO.
The event that unfolded in DC was a sham and reflected why we have the problems that plagued the governance in Nigeria.
The objective may be noble and I actually thought President Obasanjo , by promoting NIDO , may be creating one of the most positive legacy of his administration, because the energy and the expertise of those abroad should be harnessed and brought to impact and promote positive changes in our nation. But leadership is not merely measured by policies initiated, but among other things, by the implementation and the out come of those policies.
The reality is, for a policy to be effective, it must be accepted as legitimate, and for it to take off, the leadership must do all in its power to promote its legitimacy. In the Ambassador's remarks. You can see the DNA of control all over this organization.
Why set a guideline, a term of reference and attempt to midwife the organization. To have the ambassador and all the government representative organizing, managing and directing the entire process runs contrary to the spirit of independence that the government want us all to believe. There is nothing wrong with providing incentive for the development of such an organization. The government could have simply set up a guidelines for the use of its fund. The idea is good and President Obasanjo should credited for it but to control its formation, set its objective, issue directive and refuse any changes or suggestions that may alter its term of reference, undermine the integrity and the legitimacy of the organization.
One can easily ignore the way the participants were treated sometimes, as simply a Nigerian leadership style but it says a lot about the level of responsible leadership in our country. I see the tiresome use of humor in many instances as a means of covering up mediocrity and the response on the part of the audience with laughter or applause, smells of a lack of understanding of the depth of the issues at stake. A mediocre leadership compounded by mediocrity on the part of the audience.
The request for recusal should have been acceded to and it might have even been better for the organization. This lack of legitimacy will be difficult to shake off. How can you demonstrate , to any degree , the independence of this organization. Not only are its aims stipulated as well as its structures but the composition of the board was determined by the Ambassador. What were the criteria for determining the number of representation from the regions.
The board in its present composition did not reflect the diversity of our nation , even if we are to follow the directive from the government, nor did it reflect the geographical make up of the Americas.
How can Atlanta - a city have three times more than any other region except Canada and the Atlantic seaboard. The Northeast for instance- including New York, New Jersey and the New England states, will be represented by one member How many member of the board are representative of the different ethnic blocs of our nation or any of its minorities including women.
There are in fact many questions that need to be answered including, who appoints the director of the organization, why should the membership dues being collected and any other funds be kept for the organization by the mission. Why should the embassy be responsible for continuing to coordinate the organization's activities, like setting the date of the next meeting and of course the planning of its budget. These and many questions, I want you to ponder and I will leave you to arrive at your own conclusions.
With the right leadership, this organization can be rehabilitated. I have no way to doubt or be assured that the current members can or cannot do this. The leadership can rehabilitate by engaging in the restructuring of the board using specific and fair criteria. It must also distance itself from the embassy and should not let the missions dictate its agenda, programs or activities. It can gain status by inviting dialogue and communication from Nigerians and Nigerian organizations.
The vigil is on for NIDO, are we going to see it rehabilitated or are we preparing for a requiem. Given the experience of our nation , I will not be surprise , if the opportunity presented before us, is abused but as I have said several times before, we can put a stop to this, if we get involved in the affairs of our nation. It is with this in mind , that I believe the onus now lies in the hands of the interim board members , to use whatever assistance provided, to chart a course deserving of a legitimate and truly independent organization.
President Obasanjo and his representative should be commended for trying to get us involved in our nation, but they err , in attempting to midwife the organization. After the Atlanta dialogue and the NIDO meeting in Washington DC, a word of advise for the Nigerian Missions, please take advantage of the conference planning expertise around you next time, so that we can avoid these sorry spectacles.
So my fellow Nigerian, "go do the right thing". Get involved, help us change things for the better in Nigeria. God bless you all.
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