My Contribution To Nigeria's Political Reform Conference At Abuja/Nigeria

Prince Haruna al-Rashid Yusuf

The Chairman,

National Political Reform Conference,

International Conference Centre,

Garki, Abuja.

NIGERIA.

INTRODUCTION

This memo seeks to address the Conference on the following salient issues, each bothering on the Nigerian’s political reforms criteria. This position paper is coming as a contribution to the national debate from Kogi State Central Senatorial District of Nigeria. Our presentation is therefore predicated on the following varied subject matters:

v Iron and Steel Industry

v Resource Control controversy

v Structure & Political Reforms

v Democracy, Constitutionalism and The Rule of Law

v The Role of the Traditional Institution

v Administration of National Income and Taxation

v Social Welfare: to the Young and Elderly people

v Research & National Planning

v Nigeria’s Defense Capabilities

v Foreign Relations and the New World Order

Iron and Steel Industry

The search to build an iron and steel industry in Nigeria for the past four and half decades has indeed been a tortuous one. The causes of the unusual delays and cost overrun are due to both internal and external factors to the country. Iron and steel industry is the pillar of all industrialization process. Until such a date when Nigeria shall spew out “liquid steel”, she cannot be counted to have joined the steel league. Steel technology has indeed played a vital role into the Agricultural revolution of many great nations. Nigeria has no alternative pathway to greatness without a steel industry. Coupled with the appropriate solar energy and wind-powered techniques, Nigeria can be set about to feed the African population of about 850million people. The machine tools, automobiles, military hardware’s and several other strategic infrastructure; all require steel to produce them. Thus, the holy Qur’an pointedly says about Iron and I quote:

….”and we sent Iron in which is (material for) mighty war as well as many benefits for mankind that Allah may test who it is that will help unseen Him and His apostles, for Allah is Full of strength exalted in Might (and able to enforce His will)” - Qur’an 57; verse 25.

In a nutshell, the efforts of Nigeria to diversify her monolithic economy can never succeed unless her steel sector is resuscitated. It is on record that the Ajaokuta Steel Project (ASP) is 95% technically completed; while the Delta Steel Company at Aladja was commissioned since 1982. What is holding up production right away is lack of political will by the Nigerian government to forge ahead. From information at our disposal, it is only TyazPromExport (TPE), the Russian contractor who conceived and developed ASP that can also actualize it. TPE has been in the metallurgical industry since 1957 and built 91 steel plants all over the world, including ASP. As of now only but ASP, is moribund. Also receiving very poor attention is the National Iron Ore Mining Company at Itakpe in Kogi State..

Other problems facing the Nigerian Steel Sector are: working capital financing and development of the mining sites to provide other essential raw materials such as Limestones, dolomites, marbles, silica etc. to the plants. Unfortunately, our leaders are working covertly with external agencies like the IMF and World Bank to scuttle the steel dream of Nigeria. There should be a change of heart if Nigeria is to overcome her present difficulties. So far, initiatives by the present government as exemplified in SOLGAS saga and currently with ISPAT (or GHIL) are all misdirected and frustrating. These companies lack the international expertise and will only shortchange Nigeria and draw us back wards.. The incapacity of ASP (Nigeria) to produce steel is a serious set back to the whole of the black race. It is very unfortunate.

Resource Control Controversy.

Another vexing question that dominates the national debate on political economy is the “resource control”. Basically, there is no “cause” without an “effect”. So, the polarization is an aftermath effect of poor leadership prevalent in the country. During the debate, some people averred and asked: where was the Niger Delta before the advent of the oil wind fall? Again, where shall they go to, chiefly, when the so called petro-dollars have finished? What is more, can the littoral states be expected to lay claim over the off-shore oil reserves and production where more than 65% of the oil and Gas explorations are being carried out daily, somewhere inside the deep sea of our national exclusive economic zone (EEZ)? Some debaters have countered that all over the world, government has a social responsibility to her citizens… she must ensure that the goose that lay the golden eggs are not maltreated any way nor neglected. Some three years ago, former United States President, Bill Clinton in his lecture at the ECOWAS Secretariat, Abuja observed that: it is not what is stocked underneath the soil that determines the well being or the GDP of a country rather, the hard work and the determination of a people to exceed in every other thing else. Taking the examples of Japan, Singapore, and Germany, Mr. Clinton illustrated that “the GDP of Japan is six times higher than that of Saudi Arabia, even though the latter prides as one of the largest producers of crude oil in the world but Japan has no minerals. The efficiency of production in Japan according to our guest Lecturer, is one of the highest in the world. That explains the difference in global terms.

As earlier mentioned, the clamour for or, agitation of resource control is only but as a result of resource mismanagement and looting of the treasuries by our leaders and that include the leaders of the Niger Delta too. So, people have genuine reasons to cruel about and react against such dysfunctional behaviour or mal-administration. Having said all that, it is the purpose of this Conference to convey the best practical solution, in our circumstance, to usher in “peace” by ensuring that equity and justice are done to everybody - pursuant to section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 constitution, which stipulate that: “the security and welfare of all persons in Nigeria shall be the purpose of the government”. Clearly, the answer to Nigerian problems now is not found in the “Confederation of Nigeria” based on regional block or what have you, but lie with “national integration and democratization” which seek reduction of the centrifugal forces to create a general consciousness amongst cultural and social distinct groups in the country, while each community retains its diversity or difference without resulting into violence.

Structure & Political Reforms

Many people have faulted the operators rather than the system itself as responsible for our political instability. We are all agreed also that there is over governance in Nigeria as well as concentration of powers at the center. Our political evolution must take cognizance of the fact of our history as a nation of multi-religious and multi-ethnic groupings facing a common acute shortage of managerial skills or dearth of visionary leadership outside our ethnic and religious frontiers. The presidential system of government has no place for such inadequacy. The task before us now is to look inwards to device some indigenous and yet ingenious institutional framework capable of survival over time and ultimately, cost effective. Below, please, find some suggestion for possible consideration by the Conference.

There should be two tiers of government in Nigeria: the Federal Government and the Zonal Mayoral District. A Senatorial zone presently constituted becomes a Mayoral District. There will be 113 elected parliamentarians (Senatorial Districts) in a one cameral Legislative House to make laws for the Country. Of this number, not more than 10 parliamentarians will be appointed ministers to form the Federal Executive cabinet. The chairman of the party which won at least 2/3 majority of seats at both the federal and local councils across the country will become the Prime Minister of the National Government. The tenure of each office shall be four years each, without self-succession bid until 2025. Now, in the new dispensation there is evidently no place for vice-presidency or vice-chairman of this or deputy of that office; the net effect is reduction in administrative costs, political bickering and rancour that hitherto occurs.

On the devolution of powers, legislative powers as contained in Schedule II of the 1999 constitution should be reviewed. The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) should henceforth be saddled with running only the affairs of the Ministries of Defence, Foreign Affairs, Home Affairs, Finance and Central Bank. While other Ministries such as Agriculture, Education, Health, Transport, Women Affairs, Housing, Water Resources, Power and Steel, Culture & Tourism etc should be handed over to the Zonal Mayoral Authorities. In the event of such decentralization coming to fruition, the revenue sharing formula shall be adjusted to conform with the reality of the new arrangement i.e. between 25 to 30% to the federal government while not less than 70% is left to be shared amongst the Zonal Mayoral governments and Office of the President; taking cognizance of equity in terms of population size, derivation principle and other special needs.

Who is Mr. President?

Unlike in Parliamentary democracy, the Office of the President, which is essentially ceremonial, here, has additional Executive functions. The Office shall be autonomous of the Executive and Legislative arms of the government and shall oversee such affairs as INEC, Centre for Democratic Studies, NYSC, National Merit Awards and ofcourse, to announce the removal and appointments of new Mayors or, prime Minister. In all cases, the President shall be the chief Host to all foreign leaders and delegations to the country. The post is open to all Nigerians, irrespective of sex and religion. The following attributes can be added advantage.

That she/he:

(1) Is aged between 50 and 70 years.

(2) Has never been convicted by a court of law.

(3) Has an unquestionable character.

(4) Has never been involved in a coup plot.

(5) Is not a member of any tribal union.

(6) Is not married to a foreigner nor operate a foreign account(s).

In addition, 113 Commissioners drawn across the senatorial zones shall support the President. The term of both Offices is 2 years only, without self-succession bid until 2025. Among those who can vie for the Presidency and the zonal Commissioners are: politicians, civil servants (retired), traditional rulers/chiefs, businesspersons and the clergy. The post of the office of President shall be rotated amongst the six geo-political zones in the country. Whereas, if a male person becomes the prime Minister, the post of the President is automatically reserved for a woman and vice versa, until 2025.

I have been emphatic about the date “2025” because the World War III may well commenced then; in that case, our immigration law and other socio-economic policy direction will be affected or so. Our Nigerian government is not even bothered about such eventuality.

Who is a Politician?

There is probably no other profession in this country whose entry qualification is such relaxed as becoming a politician. In Nigeria for example, the main qualification for admission into politics is money. In a society where poverty and illiteracy is high, there is need for a set standard to be observed, otherwise there could be chaos. To break-free from this problem, we hereby canvass for the restoration of the “Centre for Democratic Studies”. A politician worth his/her salt should pass this basic entry qualification, which includes such courses as: Basic computer training & Information Technology; the History of Nigeria and Africa; Elements of Nigerian Constitution; Ethics and Code of Conduct Bureau and Elements of Public Administration. It is to be noted, too, that retired military and para-military officers who, choose to make career in politics, should go through this refresher course. It is therefore important to include this provision in our Constitution for eligibility purpose of all persons who seek elective and political posts.

Democracy, Constitutionalism and the Rule of Law

The provisions in Chapter II of the Constitution under Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy should be made justiciable and actionable by aggrieved citizen(s) without further recourse to any enforcement powers from the legislative arm. For example, in the South African constitution under section 181, it makes the socio-economic rights justiciable and therefore creates a judicial mechanism in section 184(2)(b) for measuring its compliance. Of course, this provision is clearly absent from the Nigerian constitution of 1999, hence there is a lacuna. The full independence of the Judiciary should be ensured by making it autonomous in terms of funding and appointments.

The Role of the Traditional Institutions

The history of the traditional ruler ship in the country dated way back before the advent of Colonialism. The Emirs, Obas, Obis and other chiefs had established forms of administering their subjects. Thus, they were able to maintain peace and orderliness and preserved the culture of the people within their respective domains. The British came and found this establishment in place and decided wisely to settle for what they met to get what they needed – for easy administration. That is how the British indirect rule was administered. In post-colonial era, there are no plans for definite roles for our traditional institution. The resultant effect has been creation of a vacuum but since nature does not abhor a vacuum, there becomes disequilibrium in our system. Just after independence, our job ought to have been “re-orientation of our traditional values” and the “leadership” to drop down the old garments of ethnic coloration for a different type in the fresh journey towards a nation building. But again that was difficult chiefly because of the large-scale illiteracy prevalent then and that most of the founding fathers of modern Nigeria were themselves tribal chieftains, who rode into power using the vehicle of ethnic appeasement and veneration. It was difficult for them to have abandoned the same vehicle that brought them into power almost immediately. Those of them who, participated in the botched coup de tat of 15^th January, 1966 were hastily lots, who neglected this fact of our history. Today, about forty years after that unfortunate incidence, the nation is still groping to find her bearing to nationhood. In this presentation, you are going to find some “outlined” recommendations aimed at making our traditional institution become more relevant in the new scheme of things. These include the following:-

Accept traditional rulers as custodians/chairmen of our cultural heritage of the Chiefdoms.
Acting as the local Coordinator of the National Orientation and Mass mobilization of his subject towards community self-development, vis-à-vis national integration projects.
The chief is the host of (NYSC) or theYouth Corpers posted to his domain or chiefdom.
The Chief becomes the Presidential Liaison Officers (PLO) in his Chiefdom
Appointed as Advisers to Mayors, on Security and Community Police Commission.
Appointed as Advisers to Mayors, on Community Healthcare and Education projects.
Appointed as members to National Council of Elders/National Council of State/The House of Chiefs
The chief is the chief Record keepers on civil registration matters such as marriages + divorce, birth + death and immigration+ emigration.
Appointed as, Chairman of the pilgrims boards and Tourism in the chiefdom
Serve on as Patrons of the following institutions within the chiefdom:

Magistrate court/ Customary court/ Sharia court of appeal.
Churches and Mosques
Shrines (if any)
All registered Associations with the CAC (i.e. Tribal Unions, Farmers Co-operative, Traders Association and Artisan Club) operating within the area.
Census / Population Bureau

In most recent time, the new entrants into Nigerian Monarchy or Traditional Institutions are capable, dynamic and successful men in their various professional callings. It is my fervent hope that the Monarchy shall be glad to accept and adapt to whatever new roles they may be called upon to fulfill for the benefits of their respective communities and Nigeria at large. Any attempt to democratize the institution of traditional leadership will signal a vehement objection from some quarters. It is important to continue to encourage them to remain non-partisan or apolitical. The Traditional institution must be adequately remunerated to carryout effectively its functions and responsibility. Subject to review, 5% to 10% of the budget of the mayoral authority can be allocated to the local Traditional council administration. These functions and budget provision should be worked out in some details and enacted in the constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Administration of the National Income and Taxation

About 90% of the Nigeria’s incomes are derived from the crude oil sales alone. Efforts by the past administrations to diversify into Agriculture and other investment destinations have failed to yield the desired results. As previously explained in this paper, the necessary attitudinal change by the government to that effect is unfortunately absent. Using Botswana as a case study, the government of Botswana is wisely committed to plough back the income from Diamond into expanding her infrastructure facilities, ostensibly to bake even bigger pie; whereas the Nigeria counter part went into feasting and squandered her riches, while some public servants helped themselves with public funds at the expense of the nation. Since 44 years of Nigeria’s independence, according to the finance Minister, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala the nation earns from crude oil is about US$300billion. Suffice to say that because of the intermittent coups that characterized during most part of the last century, strong signal was transmitted to foreign investors and international community who interpreted it to mean that “Nigerian investment climate is rather unstable for business”.

Since Nigeria took her independence, no administration has ever published the “annual audited account” of the nation - as a corporate responsibility. What Nigerian government earns and what portion thereof she spent are still shroud in secrecy. The Ministry of Petroleum Resources that could give us the clue as to how much oil was sold has no cabinet Minister after all, and the cartel members who sell the Nigerian Oil and Gas are known only to Mr. President and his hench men, so where is transparency? Nigerians and perhaps the entire world will be stunned to know how this country loose, on daily basis, over 50% in oil- revenue to bunkers or the “high-sea pirates”, yet the government knows exactly who they are. The rise in the oil price at the international market to all time high US$57.00 per barrel could not make any difference either to us. To compound the problems of bunkering further, it is estimated that over 65% of the oil production is currently drilled off-shores at the far away high sea - some more than 200 nautical miles away from the Nigerian coast. The Nigerian Navy(NN) is incapable to police what is going on there because the NN-Patrol ships either have no effective guns in the platforms or are outrightly sea-worthless; let alone get the audacity to attempt to close up to intercept the large tankers (often beefed up with security network) used in lifting the crude oil and gas. None of these oil tankers is Nigerian owned. It is in the best interest of the multi-national oil corporations that NN does not live up to her responsibilities to checkmate them on routine basis, let alone expectedly challenged by the Niger Delta Youths Vanguards there at the high seas. You will find more information about what is happening under the caption: Nigerian defense capabilities in this paper. Please, stay tuned.

Outside the royalties and taxes from oil, the next sources of revenue generation to the Nigerian government are: custom duties, personal income tax, company tax, VAT, withholding tax and others. The administration of taxes leaves sour taste in the mouths of many people who are interested in the Nigerian Business environment. There are reported cases of double taxation taking place and in many such cases the withholding tax, VAT, etc. find their ways into private pockets instead, while some taxes are not promptly deposited into the accounts of Federal Inland Revenue Board, the authority mandated by law to collect all taxes for the government. The FIRB should intensify more efforts to identify taxable sources and efficiently collect the due taxes for the government.

Certainly, all taxes payable to the government need periodic review - with a view to reflect on the socio-economic trends in the country. For the purpose of this analysis, withholding tax should henceforth be abolished. Meanwhile VAT should be reviewed from 5% to 15% as in South Africa, Germany and the US. The net effect is bridging the existing gap between the rich and poor citizens of the societies. Another form of taxation is “the Zakat”. It is a cardinal pillar in the practice of Islamic faith. Government should encourage such organizations (NGO) as the Jama’atul Nasr Islamiyat, NAFSAT, and probably the Red Cross Society to float a “Trust Fund” or Foundation to collect Zakat from the Muslim communities. An Act of Law, for its legitimacy, should also back this. The zonal Mayoral Authorities can open an inspectorate division in each zone to audit or monitor closely the application of the Zakat proceeds. The immediate benefits from Zakat project and VAT are: they will sufficiently substitute for our source of financing the Poverty Alleviation Programme and ultimately, move the society towards emancipation of a “middle-class” led economic nation for the final victory of the labour force.

Federal Court of Audit

Because of the “care free attitude” of people towards public properties in Nigeria, there is need for evolving a control mechanism through institutional frame work, which is backed by an Act of the parliament to establish the “Federal Court of Audit”. True, successive administrations in Nigeria have not addressed the twin problems of tax evasion and public accountability. The objective of the Federal Court of Audit therefore, is, to help to enhance public sector management and performance. To achieve that objective, the EFCC, ICPC and a special unit of Police investigators shall empanel the court, to be headed by an incorruptible High Court Judge. In addition, the office of the Auditor-General of the Federation should move from Federal Ministry of Finance to become a special department of the court. The law should empower the Auditor General to look into the financial books of FGN and the 113 other zonal mayoral Authorities in Nigeria and publish their quarterly statement of Account. The court shall have judicial powers to try all tax evaders and those charged with mis-applying public funds and properties. No other court in the country shall have the same judicial authority to adjudicate on matters already before this court. The anti-corruption crusade will receive a major booster after constituting the federal Court of Audit, FCA. This will finally bring to rest the clamour for a justiciable clause in the Nigeria constitution.

Social Welfare: to the Youths and Elderly Persons

Social welfare programme has become popular amongst modern governments. The model may differ significantly from one country to another depending on the socio-economic setting of the place. The capitalist economy, too, has discovered lately that some form of social security packages are needed to cushion the social effects of capitalism. But the salient question is: who actually deserves a social welfare benefit? The most vulnerable of people to the harsh economic, political and environmental effects in the society, I presume, are the youths, disabled and elderly people. The bulks of these people are low-income earners or are in the non-productive economic class of the society.

The next point for emphasis is what form the welfare package should take to make a profound impact on this category of people, in view of the present Nigerian circumstance. Let us examine here some of our suggestions to the Conference.

Education:

Scholarship grant is the most popular support to students but has lately being phased out. We should appreciate its welcome back to support indigent students. Students may be encouraged to take up loan to purse their studies. In a new reform to our education policies, let us see how stakeholders like the PTA, Alumni Association, Missionaries, philanthropic organizations and individuals to form themselves into co-partnerships to sponsor educational projects in Nigeria. For example, if an Alumni of a school e.g. famous Barewa College, Zaria or Kings Collage, Lagos or the old Government College, Okene decides to take over the management of their Almamata from the government and tax its members and PTA to finance the school, then Government should oblige to the request. The era of boarding should be re-introduced to the schools. At tertiary institution or at the University educational level, some rationalization will be useful. For instance, let us have a situation where there is only one university of Agriculture situated, say, at Markurdi, just a medical school at Ibadan; one University of Technology in Zaria; a university of legal and management studies in Lagos, a university of Natural Sciences and Social Sciences in Enugu and so on, then there would be “synergization” in the system reminiscent of what is taking place now in the Banking sector, courtesy of the CBN consolidation policy. This is a practical way forward to lure back those experienced academia now living in Diaspora who left Nigeria in the wake of IMF-sponsored Structural Adjustment Programme of 1980s. The net effect is improvement in the quality of education delivery services. Our crave for building many Universities without proper planning has led to the falling standard of education in the country. Otherwise, how do you imagine a situation in Nigeria where a University of Agriculture has no farm? Yet it graduates students.

NYSC

The period of service for NYSC should be increased from one calendar year to three years. The (first) commencement year should be devoted strictly to military training and exercise only; so as to expose the Youth corpers to weapon handling and other such curriculum as may be prescribed for the training of recruits at Military Depot School in Zaria. Through into the 2^nd and 3^rd service years, they can concentrate to work in their respective field of specialty. I want to see a situation evolved where Corpers are encouraged to join the police force; to change the present poor entry standard and outlook of the Organization. That policy measure will be beneficial to the adoption of “community policing” concept in Nigeria and national rebirth in the 21^st century.

Healthcare

The National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS is about to be launched by president Obasanjo. It is a laudable programme and a welcome development. But the success of that scheme depends also on how many people can have direct access to healthcare delivery system through NHIS. The scheme should be re-launched soon both in the States and local government levels in order to give the programme a broad-based participation. It is only when someone takes a premium does she or he become a beneficiary of the scheme. At the beginning of this memo, I explained that my concern and campaign for government supports were restricted to specific projects in the healthcare, educational pursuit and housing to the less privileged groups like the students, disabled and elderly persons. These groups of people are weak and vulnerable citizens who deserve some forms of government assistance. Again, we re-affirm our earlier commitment that FGN has no business with Housing, Health, Agriculture and Educational projects after this time out.

Certain diseases such as miseales, whooping cough, chicken pox, gastro enteritis, fever, meningitis and pyrexia of unknown origin commonly affect children and teenagers; while the elderly people suffer more frequently from: rheumatism, hypertension, diabetes, tuberculosis, road traffic accident (RTA), Asthma and HIV/AIDS. Government should continue to subsidize the treatment of those ailments through NHIS. We need the understanding and support of WHO and other development partners in administrating the health system to Nigerians.

Housing

Housing is a critical element in human development. Planning housing for the students, disabled and elderly people has a unique place in the socio-economic development of the Nation. Never in its chequered history has any administration taken critical look at the special needs of housing for the vulnerable group of people in our society. It, therefore, behooves our architects, engineers, town-planners etc. to return to the drawing boards to redesign and develop new patterns of housing to integrate the citizens into both urban and rural settlements. Let us note clearly that the student’s hostel accommodation is equally as important as those of the class-room blocks, library, laboratory or any structure for that matter in the school premises. The return of students to boarding accommodation will inculcate discipline in them and promote healthy peer development or fraternal relationship between the students. They are our “leaders of tomorrow”, so we should endeavour to breed them properly - by providing them with adequate accommodation etc. reminiscent of the old colonial days school system or, shortly after our independence. Whether we like to hear this fact or not, disable people and elderly persons in our midst are Nigerians too and deserve to be treated with sympathy or decently, irrespective of their present circumstances.

Nigerian Pensioners

The dearth of statistical data and planning are two major inhibitors to administrative lapses for correcting the plight of Nigeria’s workers. The government does not know exactly how many pensioners there are on its list at any given time. If this fear is found, then you can imagine how intractable it can be in the larger contest to determine the accurate head count for Nigeria. The situation in which most pensioners find themselves is indefensible by both the Nigerian labour congress and Nigerian Government in particular. Our attitude to pensioners in Nigeria portrays us collectively as “ingrates” who deny the worth of yesterday that brought forth this day unto us. See how conveniently we can forget the lesson of history! Take an example of Japan where workers are also shareholders of business concerns and earn dividends therefrom, even after retirement age. Similarly in Germany, the workers union body is adequately represented on the “Board of Directors” of the Company. So, there is rapport and a strong bond between the work force and employers of labour developed. At retirement, as the insurance premium paid for during the active service year matures, so a pensioner needn’t scratch his or her head to get a retirement benefit. I canvass for the German model for Nigeria, noting some modifying changes to suit our local circumstances and represent the NSITF bill for amendment to the House.

Research and National Planning

A nation cannot plan adequately well if there is no accurate information about which to base her planning. Thus, research and statistics are central to the intelligent working of a chief executive - most especially, the head of a government. It is being canvassed here that this unit of government (i.e. Research & National planning) be carefully accorded a priority place in the art of governance in Nigeria. To stop-over to “think and plan” is no waste of time at all. Many experienced people believe that if we plan well, we can succeed only according to our good plans.

There are bodies of empirical research works on different projects across the country. Yet, there is more new grounds to be broken especially on how to “find our self and to be our self”. Our onerous task thereafter is to harness our endowments and develop or utilize them for the benefit of our people and Africa at large. Research findings have shown that for the past four hundred years of our chequered history, Africa suffered and is still suffering from humiliations, exploitation and cultural shocks and degradation as we came in direct encounter with slavery, colonialism and neo-colonialism - now being referred to again as the “new world order”. During the period under review, Africa - especially Nigeria suffered tremendously from the conspiracies of western powers with their collaborators. I should elucidate more on this point in a later portion of this memo.

Capacity building on research development and assimilation of findings thereof, into repositioning the national aspirational goals is, indeed, supportive to both the medium and long-term interests of Nigerian nation. Take Japan again and the US as a case study of nations devoted to prioritized intellectual property well and above monetary consideration or benefits (often viewed to be of short term nature) to their respective body politic. There is a higher propensity for growth and development in both countries, on account of the large pool of top-flight business people and dedicated leadership that have garnered in both countries. However, in a reversed establishment similar to ours - where leadership is thrown up for grabs to the highest bidders, we have ended up finding rouges at the top echelon of leadership positions. The net effect, is, inefficiency and a corrupt ridden society. Nigerians must stand up in unison to defend their nation and fight back at corruption by reverting to reward only productivity. This nation can not afford to disappoint Africa; not the least the teeming black race who look up to us for leadership through inspiration and creative hard work.

Nigerian Defence Capabilities

The defence of national sovereignty and territorial integrity is the primary function of the military. Broadly speaking, the military is classified into three categories namely: The Army, Air force and the Navy. Records made available from the Nigeria Defence headquarters, Abuja shows that while the Nigeria Army has a total of 25,000 officers and soldiers, the Nigerian Air force (NAF) and the Nigerian Navy (NN), each has a combatant force of 9500 and 5000 respectively. The combat readiness of a military is determined largely by the superior powers of its arsenals. It is no more in doubt if Nigeria is the most populous nation on the Africa continent but the analysis of comparative study on military strengths of African nations shows Nigeria with a dismal rating. For obvious security reasons I can not venture to show here the statistic to buttress my points, but what is important instead is the contribution of this paper to the development of public awareness of the need for enhanced military powers in the defense of Nigeria and her sovereign interest. In addition, because of the assumed role Nigeria is set to play in the contest of Africa politics and at international scene, there is a compelling need to revitalize the near hopelessness of our military defense system to the prestigious position where Nigeria can sufficiently “match her words with action” at the continental level. Otherwise, Nigeria’s NEPAD pet project, for instance and similar other initiatives on Africa may not see the light of the day.

Geography tells us that an estimated 70% of the earth-crust is covered with water, and Oceanographers maintain that approximately three-quarter of the earth’s mineral resources are being cover by water. The sea and its seabed resources are richer in minerals and food resources than all the continents put together. Usually, where riches lie, man ovaries are not far fetched. The seas therefore arouse covetousness and incite commercial activities and rivalry. The United States, Russian, British, Chinese, Indian, Australian, South African navies, each, try as hard to maximize its sea control for optimal economic advantage and benefits of their respective countries. Thus, the sea power of a navy is found in her ability to keep vigil at and control of the aquatic resources. There are 4 classes of navies, namely:

(i)The Global navies: - which have the capability for deployment of fleet on a world wide basis, because of their global political and economic interest. Examples are the US Navy and Russian Navy.

(i) Ocean-going Navies :- are also known as “blue water navies” have the capability of long distant operations with minimal support from other country. Examples are the British Royal Navy, German Navy and the French Navy.

(ii)Contiguous Sea Navies: - are described as Regional Force Projection Navies and can operate as the seaward extension of the national territorial defense zone. They operate better within alliance or under the protection of a major power that influences their strategic views. Examples are:-Brazil, India and some G-7 Nations.

(iii)Coastal Sea Navies: - They are also called territorial defense navies. They function as coastal guard navies with only limited capabilities to deter a modest naval intrusion. Examples are the navies of the Third world countries, particularly the Nigerian Navy.

Therefore, the role the maritime forces play in the security of the national interest sums up if the country is a developed or developing or is a Third world nation.

Nigeria Maritime Strategy

The Nigerian Maritime environment is endowed with petroleum resources. There are three oil-producing countries located at the “Gulf of Guinea”. They include Nigeria, Gabon and lately, Sao–Tome & Principe. Recently, Nigeria entered into a joint cooperation with Sao–Tome & Principe (a small island of about 160,000 inhabitants) - to explore crude oil and Gas from there. With the MoU signed, it led to the incorporation of the Nigerian Sao-Tome & Principe Joint Development Authority. An estimated 2/3 of the Nigerian crude oil find sale at the US market. The United States government and it’s Navy, in collaboration with her western allies and Russia find the Gulf of Guinea aptly suitable for or, as an alternative haven to the fast becoming turbulent middle East region “to do business”. You will recall China, in 1997, sold three submarines/ destroyers to the Iranian Navy, which assisted the Iranians to chase out the American bunkerers (a.k.a pirates) out of the oil rich Persian peninsula. That was to anger the United States government that almost caused severed Chinese-US diplomatic relationship. Back home in Nigeria and about the same time, there was disquiet from the restive Niger Delta youths who, took to vandalizations of the oil pipelines facilities belonging to the multinational oil companies. Consequently, the American Exxon-Mobile, Chevron-Texaco and Shell Petroleum companies decided to shift their production bases from on-shore oil drilling in the Niger Delta region to a safety place at the high seas. The US Navy ably provides the necessary security surveillance over their off-shore operations, under the command of General Charles Wald. What happens to the evacuations of the crude oil drilled out from these wells in the Gulf of Guinea regions as well as Iraqi’s oil since the fall of Saddam Hussein regime is better imagined for the purpose of this report. Should you want further information, contact: http:/www.fromthewilderness.com and report by David C Rupert at http://www.globalresearch.ca. Check out for the “security report on sub–Sahara Africa “at http://www.jane.com.

Now, let us begin with the ascribed roles (i.e. diplomatic, policing and wartime) of the Nigerian Navy; and the necessary infrastructure for its effective performance, otherwise known as the Maritime strategy we will be considering the level of operational fitness of the:(i) Merchant fleet, (ii) Naval fleet and (iii) Support facilities such as the dock yards, fishing trawlers, ports and bases in Nigeria. Sadly, Nigerian participation in the Sea-born trade and shipping are minimal. Most of the Nigerian Merchant and Naval ships are already grounded due to ageing. Efforts to replace them and in some instances “refit”them are difficult to accomplish, either because we lack the sufficient technical manpower to maintain them ourselves or, there is no fund available to procure the spare parts, or both. The NN landing crafts e.g. NNS-Lokoja, NNS-Arayo, NN-Ambe and NNS-Ofiom are all facing the same acute problem of maintenance. You will recall that the NNS-Lokoja was deployed to convey the federal troop (i.e. the 3rd marine Commando) during the ill–fated Nigerian civil war (1967-70) is now grounded due to obsolete equipment and engines. The NNS-Ambe and NNS-Ofiom were recently donated to Nigeria by the US government without any gun fitted in the platforms. The engines too have aged away considerably. For the NN to effectively police over our exclusive economic zone (EEZ), she needs the following new ships in her fleet: submarines, Destroyers, Fridgates and Aircraft carriers. Yes, that will cost us a lot of money to buy or to posses them but, that is not the same thing as saying it is impossible to do after all, China and India who, in the 1950’s were at par with Nigeria in terms of GDP now have them in the Chinese and Indian Navies, without paying through their nose for them to other countries. What happened was that China and India first and foremost acquired the “ blast furnace steel technology” from Soviet Union before venturing into ship building and thereafter achieve the present status or wherewithal in the Naval hard-wares manufacturing enterprises. However, the Western democracies including the three Bretton Wood institutions (e.g. IMF, World Bank and WTO) will insist that Nigeria should drop the idea of developing her Iron and Steel industry, ostensibly to stop Nigeria not to become like India or China - who could develop the feat to challenge their expertise and dominance in International affairs. The state of affairs of the Nigerian Army (NA) and the Nigerian Air force (NAF) are basically the same as NN. But for security reason, permit me not to wash our dirty linen in the public here. One question that begs for an answer is: are you now convinced of the western conspiracy against Nigeria, which is to keep the latter perpetually under-developed? If you aren’t then, just move on to the next topic.

Foreign Relations and the New World Order

There is no Nation that lives in isolation of the rest. Thus, the estimated 155 Countries around the world interact with each other by various ways and means. The emergence of these nation states as political or administrative entities has both cultural as well as historical significances. Therefore, Nigeria should seek to establish a diplomatic relationship with another country only if there are benefits for doing just that. What is beneficial is although subjective. In other words, there is no gain wanting to open a diplomatic mission with another country without being mindful of its cost implication to the overall interest or well being of the Nigerian Nation.

Trade is an essential pre-requisite for opening a diplomatic post overseas. The Commercial attaché or the post of economic adviser should be reserved, strictly, for personnel with proven working knowledge and experience; with adequate educational qualification in economics, administration and international politics or related discipline. Nigeria has lost pretty much of investment opportunities in the time past. We, therefore, need to re-package the Nigeria’s image abroad, to sell “made-in–Nigeria” goods and services, using the services of our talented people. “Export business” is the current answer to our macro- economic instability or trade imbalance.

Investment Promotions:

Now, Nigeria needs not bother itself calling foreigner’s to come and invest in Nigeria. Experience has since proved that it is a wasteful exercise. Instead, we should look inwards. Behold, Nigerians have a lot of money stocked away outside the Nigerian shores. All that is required is to convince rich Nigerians living in Diaspora, like India and Ghana did sometime before, on how and why to invest in Nigeria. Let me tell you a short story about investment in Ghana. Sometime ago in the 1980s, the Nigerian government expelled illegal aliens - mainly Ghanaians from that country. Ghana’s then military Head of state, Fl Lt Rawlings responded by appealing to Ghanaian citizens living abroad for a lifeline to the tune of US$100 million. The money was needed to resuscitate the Tourist and mining industries in Ghana. He got only US$40million in response from them but new jobs were actually generated from those windows, now planned in phases, and ultimately re-absorbed the teeming unemployed youths. Since then, Ghanaians has refused to come back to Nigeria again with their caps in hand. The lesson from Ghana is: Charity begins at home. Can Nigeria also benefit from that lesson?

From far away India is raking in a lot of money in foreign exchange from intellectual property, insurance and information technology. According to the World Bank Report in 2004 (1^st quarter publication); the report stated that for the year ended December 2003, Yahoo - an Indian multi-national Internet Service providers made a net profit that was “three times” the Nigerian income from oil during the same period… with the 30% corporate tax due in India, the government and people of India have a good cause to be proud of Yahoo, concluded the report. What many discerning people expected to happen in Nigeria was that the National Communication Commission (NCC) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Science & Technology could have re-negotiated with the Russians who, launched the SAT.I for Nigeria to up-grade the system to the Russian own standard whereby band-width can be allocated to the mobile Telecommunication service companies, operating in Nigeria. That policy initiative will in effect, erase the proliferation of “mast” currently scattered around the places, producing “ionizing radiations”, with an attendant effect on environmental pollution. Secondly, the government will also earn some good money in the form of royalty fee from those cellulose Companies. But wait a minute! Is it true? The Report reaching us from the print media said that some government officials were instead asking for “recharge cards” as gratification from the companies… and so they forgot to act, na wa o!

OPEC

Nigeria should continue to remain in OPEC body and cooperate with the organization in those areas such that will boost the economy of the member countries, both in the medium and long terms perspectives. OPEC is a Third world organization and therefore should pose as and strategize the best ways forward to resolve some of the myriad problems such as poverty, disease, wars etc. affecting Africa, Asia and Latin American countries. In that capacity, OPEC should continue to give more financial assistances and supports to non-member countries to build more new refineries and up-grade and maintain the existing facilities. Also equally important is to assist them to develop capacity buildings in the down-stream sector of the Oil and Gas, to enhance prosperity of the south-south trade axis. Another new areas that OPEC can address its mindset to is, in the “research on re-usable solar energy programme”, to compliment the existing other energy resources outside fossile fuels. This diversification is especially important to the developing countries where there is abundant sunshines in the member countries, especially those of the tropical region who can efficiently tap it to boost agricultural productions and for other industrial uses. In brevity, OPEC should establish a “Solar Energy Research Institute” to pilot the project. To be sited at Egypt, the project has the prospect to under-cut the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA also in Vienna/Austria. It will be a big booster to the energy equilibrium in the world.

Debts, Civil wars and HIV/AIDS

Since many African countries took political independence from their colonialists, whatever remained of the socio-economic infrastructure has been brutally eroded by the trio-monsters of debt overhangs, civil wars and the HIV/AIDS scourge. The debt trap syndrome is a conspiracy hatched and being perpetuated by the western powers. Also, the civil wars in Africa and elsewhere are funded and fuelled by the same developed nations to make developments in the Third World unsustainable. Meanwhile the real cause and origin of HIV/AIDS is still a subject of controversy. A school of thought opines that chances are that HIV/AIDS resulted from leakages or whatever from the Biological warfare laboratories in North America, or in Europe or in Japan. Africa is the most vulnerable continent to be affected by the strange disease. Unless Africa Union (AU) and the United Nations do something drastic and positive about African’s debts portfolio, the civil wars and HIV/AIDS, the chances of Africa meeting the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs and succeed in the NEPAD project (targeted at accelerated growth and development for Africa) are very slim indeed. Africa leaders must sound it clearly to the G-8, EU, IMF, World Bank and WTO that “what Africa wants is not Aid but trade liberalization” especially on the Agricultural products in which African countries have a comparative advantage over the developed economies of Europe, Japan and North America. Having beautifully spelt out here the Nigeria’s reform criteria as also supported by the NEEDS and NEPAD documents each projecting the African vision, the question still remains: how the objectives conform to the happenings of events around the world as handed down by the “Jewish script” some 2,500 years ago? The destructive force is still with us today and possibly so for sometime to come. This will form the subject of our next discussion; “The New World Order”.

The New World Order

The affair first began in 458 BC, when the theory of master-race, first in human history, was set up as “the Law” by the small tribe of Judah. The Israelites, from all the evidences, never knew this racial creed, which was to come down through the centuries as the Jewish religion or Judaism. It stands, for all time, as the product of Judah of the Levites. The Levites in Babylon added Exodus, Genesis, Leviticus and Number, in that order, to the Deuteronomy and thus, set up a law of racio-religious intolerance which if it could be enforced, would for all time cut off the Judahites from mankind.

According to the Encyclopedia of Britannica, Judaism developed long after the Israel had merged themselves with mankind and the true relationship between the two people is best expressed in the phrase: “The Israelites were not Jews”.

Douglas Reed in his book entitled: The controversy of the Zion said and I quote: “this unique form of nationalism was first presented to the Judalite in Deuteronomy as “the law” of Jehovah and as his literal words, spoken to Moses”…. “The notion of world of domination through destruction was introduced at the start of these speeches suppose to have been delivered by the dying Moses”. Unbelievable! Or how could it be true when Moses pointedly detested their misbehaviour and abandon them finally for an undisclosed destination. On account of that, there is nobody, again I say nobody - including the Jews who knew about the demise of Moses or his final resting place. God, Himself buried him! History recorded this period and event as the first defeat of the Levitical Jews in Babylon. Jesus Christ, the messiah came calling. The unschooled Youth from Galilee remarked that “I am not come to destroy the law but, to fulfill… “He further said, “Ye have heard that it hath been said… hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, love your enemy. And he rebuked them when he said: “The kingdom of heaven is within you… Lay not up yourself treasures upon earth… But lay up for yourself, treasures in heaven. “Everything Jesus said were such simple words yet was quite but direct challenge to the most powerful men of his time and place, and a blow at the foundations of the creed which the sect had built up in the course of centuries. For example, what the entire Old Testament taught in hundred of pages, Jesus debunked the teaching for doctrines according to “commandment of men” He said it with finality: that the law was not God’s law but, the law of Levities and Pharisees: “the commandments of men”. That marked the sharp departure from the rabbinical establishment in Jerusalem. Fine, Jesus was to be “crucified” as the result of that but, his disciples traveled westwards to herald the good news of the gospel. Certainly, what today is called the Western civilization found its origin and profound influences in the Christian religious faith. Nothing was heard again after Jesus about the Judaic Rabbinical administration until twelve centuries after wards.

The Talmudic rulers came out in the 12^th century with a set of rules or panel code of conduct to guide all Jewish descendants, irrespective of where they lived. It was the revised edition of Judaic law documented as “The protocols of the Learned Elders of the Zion”. This satanic document is a showpiece of racist exploits by the Jews against non-Jews. The book declares that:

(i) The wealth and property of non-Jews is permissible for the Jews. If they get hold of anything belonging to a non-Jew, it would legitimately belong to them.

(ii) Jews have been chosen to exercise control and authority over the life and property of non-Jewish people.

(iii) Just as a man is superior to animals, the Jews are superior to all mankind inhibiting the earth. Since with the exception of Jews, all others have animalistic and rascality in them.

(iv) God has ordained the Jews that they accept interest from non-Jews and it is prohibited to advance loan without charging interest from the Gentiles.

(v) Adultery committed with a non-Jewish woman is not adultery “for the heathen have no lawfully wedded wife, they are not really their wives”. The Gentiles are as such prevented from admission to a future world e.t.c.

The history of the scattered tribe of Jews has been a history of fraud and deceit, criminality and cunning, sabotage and destruction. In the last two thousand years, they have been engaged in all sorts of crimes against humanity including abetting to cause disorders to their host governments and communities: which was why they were thrown out of Portugal and Spain. They are driven from England in 1290; twice driven out from France in 1306 and 1394. They were expelled from: Belgium in 1370; Holland in 1414 and in Italy in 1540. Germany pushed them out in 1551. The problems with the Jews are that their national character, their social behaviour, thinking and attitude are responsible for their woes. But, they claim they don’t know why people hate them yet want to remain under the self-deception of being “God’s chosen people”. Yeye dey smell!

The French revolution in 1789 then, revealed a design behind revolution with a set purpose in a worldwide field. The Russian Revolution of 1917 threw even brighter light on the French and English ones: clarifying its outlines and origins. The managers of that revolution in Russian were nearly all Eastern Jews. With the direct influence of the world Zionist Organization we have a burning subject of today. We have to deal here with a question affecting the world not only the present, but also the future of the world. Henry Ford wrote in his famous book entitled: The International Jew, why the Jewish question? “Not only does the Jewish question touch those matters that are of common knowledge such as financial and commercial control but, the usurpation of political power and autocratic direction of the world affairs”. The motive of his work was simply to make the facts known to people, that the long past of this problem is counterbalanced by prophetic hopes and programmes which involve a very deliberate and creative view of the future. What human beings cherish most is their freedom. The only moment to allow the: “best love” goes, is, when his security becomes threatened - i.e. during war. War has been a veritable vehicle used extensively in the annals of human History… The only ones who divide the spoils of war are the victors who fight the war. In our local parlance, the equivalent thus is “when two elephants fight, grass suffers” is the saying. The World War I and II were fought for clearly selfish reasons. The chief motivator and architects of those wars have been explained above. Behold, we are now heading for world war III.

The striking fact in this contest is that history has always been repeating itself. The W.W.I led to the emergence of “the league of Nations and the Council on Foreign Relation, While WWII led to the formation of the “United Nations on October 24, 1945. Secondly, the same military strategies that were used during W.W.I and W.W.II are now being replayed. In brevity, the three strategies of the wars were: “aggregate”, “insulate” and “facilitate”. The collectivist Organization that engineered the wars is the “Council on Foreign Relation”. It does it by making secret arrangements at the highest levels of governments all over the world. The CFR was incorporated in New York on July 21, 1921. It’s first President was John W. Davis who, was also the personal attorney of JP Morgan Guarantee Trust of the USA and Adviser to President Wilson. During W.W.I, the JP Morgan Bank was the subscription agent for war loan to Britain and France. The amount was $1.5 billion in war bond on behalf of England and France…

The Trilateral commission was the brainchild of David Rockefeller. He incorporated the commission in1973. At the time, David Rockefeller was chairman of the Council on Foreign Relations having been elected to that post, in 1970. The membership of CFR is restricted only to the United States citizens. The Rockefeller’s family began funding of the Trilateral Commission and bought the Harold Pratt House on East 68^th street, New York to serve as its headquarters. Trilateral Commission consist of leaders in business, banking, government and mass media from the three sides – in this case being North America, Europe and Japan; hence the word “Trilateral”. David Rockefeller founded the commission in the wake of the Middle East oil crisis of 1973. The Commission gave rise to G-7 industrialized nations: USA, Britain, France, Germany, Japan; Italy and Canada. Now, the 60^th session of the United Nation (UN) General Assembly is billed to hold from September 14-16, 2005 at the UN headquarters in New York. It will give us hindsight into how close we have come to the W.W.III. The Trilateral Commission is always amused each time we are canvassing for an African seat at the UN Security Council. Infact, it does not fix into their matrix calculations, they murmur to themselves: Look at these Monkeys; they want to sit on the “high-table” with us. Can they pay for that seat? Of course, the United States and other developed nation pay for the substantial part of the UN’s budget. So, he who pays the piper should dictate the tune…

In conclusion, Africa must seat up to think and come out with more ingenious programmes like the NEPAD project etc. and leave aside self–pity. The enormity of problems confronting African continent alone are so frightening but some people are over there agitating for “resource control” or some thing else to further weaken and divide us. UNITED WE STAND, BUT DIVIDED WE FALL. That should be our motto. If the whole continent finds it difficult to combat frontally the global forces called “Globalization” now, I wonder what further fragmented and polarized African people can do. We should be bothering ourselves instead about how to bake much bigger pies and evolve an efficient distribution network. This is exactly what this submission to the Conference seeks to address. Thank you very much for your attention.

Yours faithfully,

Prince Haruna al-Rashid Yusuf

Department of European Studies,

University of Applied Sciences,

D-28199 Bremen

GERMANY.

Email: harunyusuf2003@yahoo.com