President Olusegun Obasanjo Of Nigeria, I Praise You

By

Abubakar Adamu, MSc, MCILT.

England, UK.

Adamu5@aol.com

 

His Excellency, President Olusegun Obasanjo, I salute you. This is a belated festivals and New Year greetings to you and your family. The lost of the First Lady (Stella) last year has been painful to you and the family. May Allah grant you the heart to bears and console you.

 

Nigeria is going through trouble times. For many years your government has seen much civil strife all over the Country which included the Tiv/Fulani, Berom/Hausa, Muslims/Christians in Yelwa-Shedam, Muslims/Christians in Kaduna, Hausa/Yoruba in Lagos, The continues Niger-Delta and Ogoni peoples demands and many others. Some of the troubles were either ethnics or religious, your administration has dealt with some of the issues successful and some not so successful. I praise you for attempts to solve many of Nigeria troubles.

 

Nigeria problems have not begun because of Obasanjo and will not end because of Obasanjo alone. Nigerians must admit they have problems and then we can begin the process of resolution. Blaming one another has not even scratched the surface of what is the problem? However, Obasanjo has put some structures and systems in place to address some of the problems. I particularly praise the President for bringing into the government some brilliant and hard working Nigerians. That may prove to some people that, not all Nigerians are corrupt and inefficient.

 

The works of Mallam Nasir el-Rufai with the FCT must not go without praise. I praise el-Rufai. The FCT is beginning to revert to its Master-Plan. The Financial Accounting of the nation is been handled well with Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala at the Finance Department and earning Nigeria international approvals. Some of the Paris Club loans and international debts are cancelled or renegotiated. Well done to Dr. Ngozi and her team’s dedication. I praise Dr. Ngozi. Many Nigerians are dying like flies because of illegal sales and use of drugs. Professor Dora Akunyili, of The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Boss is passionate about her job to reduce import and sale of illegal drugs in Nigeria. God bless her for her care of the nation’s health. I praise Professor Dora. Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the corruption tsar is doing a very good job and deserves all Nigerians support. I praise Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. The cancers that are eating our Country include corruption and inefficiency. Those personalities come to serve because Obasanjo has the foresights to choose them.

 

I am particularly impressed with the new Virgin Nigeria Airline, probably the first in Africa to start a new national airline in a life of one government administration. We all know why Nigeria Airways died; some include poor management and accounting. One of the shareholders of the Virgin Nigeria Airline is the parent company of my employer in the UK. The Virgin Group is known for providing an excellent service and value for money. To have such company as a technical partner of the new airline in Nigeria, the President chooses one of the best to fly Nigeria Flag Carrier. How about Communication Technology? My Grand-Uncle, called the other day on his Mobile Telephone from our Village! In surprise jubilation, I asked, “… are you sure you are calling from our town to England”? Although the reception was very poor, the network providers have to improve in their delivery systems. The Government under President Obasanjo provided the environment for the development to begin; there is now global communication with Nigeria.

 

What President Obasanjo has achieved are not mean achievements to go without praise, we would wish he do more or can do more. Despite whatever anyone says, President Obasanjo is making some impact to Nigeria, it is left to the people to carry forward some of the progressive programmes, especially the problems of corruption, poor economy, security and welfare. When there are ethnic or religious troubles I have not heard anyone says or said President Obasanjo ordered them. If some people are stupid enough to abuse or kill each other it is not a President or his government responsibility but the community. Of course, there may be underlined reason or reasons, all a government can do is calm the situation and look for a resolution of conflict. However this is not to say, people cannot criticise a government but we should also praise it if it does a good job. I wrote some articles on the former President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) in his defence when he is being attacked personally. I was called names but I still stand by the argument that, we must not result to personal insults on people and their families or threats in Politics. We have the right to criticise those in authority who do badly and direct them to change because they are there in our names.

 

On Politics, a lot of Nigerian politicians are short-circuiting the process of democratic evolution. Politics is about Man-management. If a Man/Woman is incapable of dealing with another Man/Woman without been abusive or physical assaults, the behaviours which are bullying and criminal, he or she should not be in Politics. I suggest some Nigerian politicians need the basic political education and orientation before they take office – why they are there and what to do. The next generation of Nigerian leaders must address the politics of the Country, citizenship and leadership.  Whether we like it or not there will always be conflicts in human relations but with conflicts resolution system in place, problem or problems can be managed, we cannot wish it away. Many of my Nigerian compatriots find it much easier to abuse and conspire than to praise or be patriotic. Some Nigerians lack the humility to praise good-work of others but quick to criticise. Praises and thanks nourish a person’s soul to do more good things or improves, as informed by a Psychologist friend.

 

I my opinion and assessment, President Olusegun Obasanjo has achieved a lot within a short time of his Presidency. I give President Olusegun Obasanjo, Pass-Mark. The push and clamour for “Third-Term” are attempts by some bad politicians to spoils Obasanjo’s legacy. The President deserves a well earned break for his service both in the Armed Forces and as Nigeria President. Many Nigerians will thank him for his contribution to the nation; however his success or failure is measure. That is the nature of political leaderships and authority; you cannot please or win them all, no matter how hard the leader tries. Therefore, the leader plays his/her part and leaves the stage when the applauses are loud.

 

Nigerians are very good at shadow-boxing, time-wasting and debates about a non-issue with passions. The “Third-Term” Plot, “Third-Term” agitation or “Third-Term” conspiracy or whatever connotation used, I will not loose my sleeps over the debates. Suffice to say, Nigerians has a choice, democracy or demo-crazy (quote our Fela) The Nigerian Constitution stipulates, the Office of President and States Governors are two-terms of four (4) or five (5) years. To go for a third-term, the Constitution must be revised. Even if the Law-making institutions revised the constitution, what do the people wish or it does not matter? For a President or a governor to wish to continue a term, he or she has to stand for an election, competing with other candidates, success may not be guaranteed. Voters should decide a winner. 2007 must be the beginning of proper election; vote-rigging or other tricks are harmful to all and may cause chaos. That is the logic of democratic process but in Nigeria things are turn upside down and a political rule is somersaulted in a many acrobatic ways. Nigeria Beware, Nigeria of yesterday is not Nigeria of today, the World is becoming global. Nigeria elections must be to international standard with International Observers, Clever Electoral machinery, any magu-magu (fixing and rigging) will expose the Country to ridicule.

 

Those who give up power voluntarily receive high accolades and respect from their people. Our Madiba, Nelson Mandela who gave up his Presidency of South Africa after short rule, is now a living-legend and probably a World Idol. President Thambo Mbeki of South Africa has indicated he will quit at the end of his term. Jerry Rwalling of Ghana left office at his choice and now enjoying his retirement. General Abdulsalami Abubakar, probably the first in Nigeria left his presidency voluntarily and is now a highly respected International Ambassador from Africa. I pray President Olusegun Obasanjo will take his place in the table of the honourable-men.

 

I have never believe, President Olusegun Obasanjo wishes to stay in power beyond what the constitution prescribes because he has not said he would himself (I believe that) or gave a press release about a “Third-Term” agenda. One of his Children said their father has no ambition for another term in Office. Why can’t Nigerians leave it at that and ask questions of what the next President plan for Nigeria? Those who want Baba to stay for 2007 have their motives and do not care about Baba’s place in history to leaves office with dignity and honour.

 

Many Nigerians are beginning to wise up. Some Muslim women in my Village who remains in Purdah are now discussing politics. People are now aware of the Local Governments, States and Federal Government budgets and what they are suppose to do for the communities but the officials choose to keep the money in their accounts. If one enriches himself/herself in corrupt ways, people no longer praises but will curse, even if some partake in the ill-gotten wealth.

 

Nigeria has mountainous problems. I cannot enumerate all here, I am sure we all know some of the Nigeria problems include illiteracy, corruption, inefficiency, ethnics, personalities, lack of the basic social amenities or economic development. Nigeria problems seem like the paradigm of chicken or egg, where can the people and government start? The people and the Country must think, ANEW. President Olusegun Obasnjo has begun some thinking. I praise and salute Mr. President. I wish President Olusegun Obasanjo best of wishes in his retirement from active politics and to remain an elder statesman.

 

God Bless Nigeria. Thank President Obasanjo for his service to Nigeria.

 

Abubakar Adamu is a Transport Logistician and Freelance Researcher.