NAVIGATING THE NATION THROUGH TODAY’S SHAME TO TOMORROW’S FAME:
SOCIAL STUDIES AS PILOT
17TH IN THE SERIES OF INAUGURAL LECTURES OF THE DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY, ABRAKA, NIGERIA.
Delivered by
Professor Emman Osakwe
B.Sc. (Nig), M.Ed. (Philadelphia), M.A. (London) Ph.D (Ibadan)
Professor of Social Studies and Dean, Postgraduate School,
Delta State University, Abraka.
On Thursday, February 26, 2009
© Copyright 2009 Delta State University, Abraka
All Rights Reserved
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ISBN 978 – 33872 – 7 – 4
Published February, 2009 By
DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY, ABRAKA,
DELTA STATE, NIGERIA.
Printed By
Justice Jeco Press and Publishers Ltd.,
Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
PROLOGUE/PREFACE
This Processed Teacher is Professor+… Famous+, Nigeria Will Become
(A Love Song to My Husband and the New Nigeria)
And he said: “marry me, May!”
‘I do no such thing: marry no ‘teacher’ said May
Dreg of Professions: the teacher – disqualified
Yet, most telling, lingering voice from the classroom!- qualified
This teacher now processed, is professor, prophet and priest.
Palm oil, the broom and sponge, banga soup – processed palm
Through fire, through water, the sharp blade, agents of decay – processed
As kero, diesel, petrol, cream, jelly, this balm – processed crude
Emman Osakwe, processed teacher, a voice heard beyond
Beyond the rostrum to the nations.
Processed through pain, deprivation, denial, derided then,
Today’s lecturer mounts the rostrum, behold he comes:
My husband, my principal, mon pére
Processed through fire, through waters, denied his due
This principal teacher of teachers of teachers
Is a teacher, teaching teachers of teachers of teachers.
Promotion to peak denied for ten years!
My co-parent, persevering through the years!
Like diamond; processed from carbon, my patient prince and peace maker
This principal teacher loaded with knowledge:
Intellectual and divine, has a message:
Nigeria is processing through shame –
Shame of corruption, of grave-like greed!
Shame of maladministration and misrule
Misrule, yielding tall poverty from giant opulence
Shame of monumental wastage of resources
Shame of wickedness and religious godlessness
Processing through shame to our desired fame:
Our famous fatherland, yes our motherland;
Land of my birth, land of my pain, land of my shame
Land of your birth, land of your pain, land of your shame
Dependent too long after independence, fragile like the eaglet
For this fragile eaglet, ready to fall, unable to fly,
Will become the great eagle in flight
Famous bird; not to fly but to soar –
Land of my birth, land of your birth, land of our birth
Land of my fame, land of your fame, land of our fame –
Nigeria is your name!
Mabel Ejime Osakwe (2009)
Chair, English Language
Delta State University, Abraka
COURTESIES
The Vice-Chancellor,
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Admin.)
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic)
The Provosts, Asaba and Oleh Campuses,
The Acting Registrar,
The Bursar,
The University Librarian,
The Provost, College of Health Sciences,
Dean, Faculty of Education,
Deans of Other Faculties,
Professors and other members of Senate,
Heads of Department and other academic Colleagues,
Members of Administrative and Technical Staff,
My Lords Spiritual and Temporal,
Members of my family, Nuclear and Extended,
My In-laws,
Distinguished Invited Guests,
Gentlemen of the Press,
Great DELSUITES,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Preamble
I feel highly honoured and priviledged to be called upon to deliver the 17th Inaugural Lecture of the Delta State University, Abraka. I thank God for granting us journey mercies to this gathering and I believe He will take all of us home safely in Jesus Name – Amen.
Did you buy and read today’s papers? How many mind bugging and gory stories? What is the latest on militancy and criminality in the Niger Delta? How painful! You may try to take your mind off those depressive issues and feed your mind with the Obama big dream come true and so will ours. Yes, welcome to this forum! To this God given opportunity for us to reflect and discuss social issues akin to those raised earlier in this welcome tip. Sorry to tell you though that I have the monopoly of the floor in this discussion that is why it is called a lecture. But release your mind to travel along, as Social Studies pilots our navigation, through today’s shame to tomorrow’s fame.
INTRODUCTION
The first thing to give attention to is the nature and purpose of Social Studies and how it serves as a vehicle for responding to issues of our time. Succinctly put, Social Studies is about learning to live and participate in this world, at a particular time and place; hence we have the formula:
SSE = PSpt
P = People
S = Society
P = place
t = time
This lecture being an indepth discourse on an aspect of my academic expertise, and my contribution to social studies as a field of knowledge, will be guided by the SSE formula as stated and the nature of Social Studies.
Here then, P means The Nigerian People; S means The Nigerian Society; p means The geographical entity called Nigeria and t means Nigeria yesterday today and tomorrow. In this lecture, Nigeria yesterday implies pre-colonial Nigeria to the era before the 2nd Republic, while Nigeria today spans the period 2nd Republic to date.
We recognize that this audience is not only interdisciplinary “gown” but also a heterogeneous “town”. Attempts will be made then to operate within this defined perimeter.
Social Studies touches on every facet of human existence: man himself as a product of nature, and social man as a product of nurture; arising from the social, political, economic and physical environment. Social studies has therefore for long been identified as a veritable tool or avenue for reshapening society. (Lawton and Durfour 1973, Osakwe 1993) The very nature, content and scope of social studies, makes it a virile instrument for developing a new social – political order. This lecturer has professed majorly in this area of social studies and has 20 publications related to the present discourse. Four of such are listed here:
Osakwe, E.O. (1992) “Social studies and the Military in Nigerian politics” Nigerian Journal of Social Studies Review Vol. 2, No 2, pp. 89-91
Osakwe, E.O. (1993a) Citizenship Education: The Hub of Social Studies Nigerian Journal of Social Studies Review. Vol. 2, No. 3, Pp. 23-38.
Osakwe, E.O. (1994a) Citizenship Education in a Multi-ethnic Society: Some Pedagogical Insights. Studies in Education Vol. 2. No 1. April. Pp 60-64.
Osakwe, E.O. (1994b) Instructional Strategies for teaching the Social Studies: Using Exemplars and Non-Exemplars Nigerian Journal of social Studies Vol. III, No. 1 & 2 pp. 49-55.
In Nigeria, Social Studies found practical expression into the school system after the 1969 National Curriculum Conference. The subject is geared towards building individuals and thereby building the nation (Osakwe 1993). The potentials of Social Studies are yet to be fully exploited in our quest for a desirable socio-political and economic order.
Social Studies is concerned with human relationships. The world is constantly undergoing changes and Social Studies remains a veritable instrument for examining these changes, whether they be positive or negative. Social Studies revolves around humans (people) and all that impinges on them.
Areas of Emphasis in Social Studies
The knowledge included in Social Studies is related to important generalizations about human relationships, institutions and problems, together with supporting facts to ensure that these generalizations are clearly understood (Osakwe and Itedjere 1993). Social Studies examines issues and problems from a holistic viewpoint – consequently, in resolving a problem or an issue, social studies examines the historical, cultural, sociological, economical, physical and other related dimensions. Unlike the vertical concentration that is noticeable in most school subjects, social studies adopts a horizontal spiral approach in the analysis of it problems. Social Studies, has strong affinity with the Social Sciences, but must not be seen as an amalgam of the social sciences.
Social Studies education is an avenue for providing young people with a feeling of hope in the future and confidence in their ability to solve the social and environmental problems of individuals, their community, state or nation.
On this occasion, this lecture addresses an aspect of my discipline which is of academic and public interest – Navigating the Nation, Through Today’s Shame to Tomorrow’s Fame: Social Studies as Pilot.
Addressing the issues of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow automatically provides three segments of discourse: Nigeria Yesterday Nigeria Today and Nigeria Tomorrow.
NIGERIA – YESTERDAY
It is simplistic to address the problems of nation building in Nigeria today without paying due attention to our past and the global past as it affected our past and present.
Mr. Vice-Chancellor, Sir, the educational system which we inherited from our colonial masters, although criticized for alienating us from our culture, produced disciplined individuals and people we will regard as pillars of our democracy and national development. Our educational system of yesteryears was highly structured, organized and predictable. This was the era when education was fully the responsibility of Government or Mission Agencies. Educational institutions were adequately staffed, equipped and supervision was effective. The academic calendar was stable with hardly any disruption. An entrant into the system was able to predict when he/she will graduate. Non graduation of a candidate at the appropriate time was never the fault of the school or institution but the inability of the student to work hard enough to graduate as planned by the educational establishment. The period under discussion was marked by students in primary and secondary schools putting on uniforms that were uniform indeed. There was no provision for students making their own seats/desks or for boarders, providing their own beds. Laboratories in secondary and tertiary institutions were comparable with what obtained in other parts of the world.
Sound moral education was part and parcel of the education in pre 1970 to late 80s Nigeria. Relationship between pupils and teachers, students and teachers and students and lecturers at various levels of education was to a very great extent professional. Incidents of examination malpractice were very rare and anyone caught compromising the integrity of examination was promptly dealt with. Incidents of students negotiating grades with their lecturers or lecturers/teachers asking for “incentives” were almost non-existent. During the period under review, academic standards in Nigeria’s first generation universities was commendable and comparable to what obtained in the more advanced countries of Europe and America. The period witnessed massive staff exchange from overseas universities. Our universities had real international orientation and reputation, with staff and students coming from different parts of the world. Apart from the international outlook of our universities and academics, university lecturers were highly respected and were at the apex of social rating. Okecha (2008) rightly noted that the mention of the title “Professor” attracted much attention. The office of the Vice-Chancellor was highly reverred. The Vice-Chancellor was more respected than any government appointee.
Most Nigerians who went through tertiary education enjoyed one form of financial support or the other from the Government. Education was a worthwhile venture and was seen as the key that unlocked the door to success and fame.
Indolence, robbery, prostitution, ostentatious living, greed, oppression, social and spatial inequality were considered extremely disgraceful in Nigeria of yesteryears. It was common practice for example, for the vendor to leave the Dailies at the Porter’s Lodge as students were trusted to drop the money and pick the papers. Similarly, the proceeds of Rag Day were used for charity as expected. Social vices were frowned at and there was greater sense of accountability among the citizenry including public office holders. Workers reported at their duty posts at the expected time and remained at work till closing. School and other institutional gates were closed at 8 a.m. and remained so until closing. Truancy was an aberration and something seriously frowned at. There was freedom of political association, although political cleavages was along the three major ethnic groups with the exception of the Middle Belt that had her own political identity. It was possible for close relatives to belong to different political parties and yet still live in harmony. The example of the Ikokus can attest to this fact – that a father and son belonged to two opposing parties.
Humans are generally political animals. The ability to organize people into groups with whatever political motive is a basic instinct inherent in human beings. Nigerians are highly articulate political beings. There is the practice of traditional and community politics which has always been with us. There has been a merger between traditional and modern social life and party politics. Since culture is not static, traditional practices also adjusted to accommodate new challenges and developments including cross-cultural contacts with its attendant implications. The social life of a people and their political culture, to a great extent affects several other areas of living. Nigeria is a political amalgam. This is indicative of the cultural plurality of the country. To a great extent the North was much more politically articulate and responsive. This probably accounts for the practice wherein our Northern brothers are always with their radios and listening to local and international news, thereby being always informed. Social life and party politics is not a function of Western education. Some southerners in spite of their level of education, are still politically naïve and cannot read or understand the political horizon. Nigeria’s economy during this period was very stable and was hinged on agriculture. This was the era of the groundnut pyramids. Nigeria was the world’s largest producer of groundnuts, rubber, palm oil and kernels, soya beans, beniseed and also a major producer of cotton, 2nd world producer of cocoa. It was within this period that Malaysia came to Nigeria to get our oil and rubber seedlings, to try out in their country. We know where both countries stand today in the production of palm oil and rubber.
Solid minerals like coal, tin and columbite were mined in economic quantities and Nigeria was known to be a major world player in the production of these minerals. The buoyancy of the economy was further boosted with the discovery of the black gold (oil) in Nigeria. Gradually, emphasis started to shift from agriculture to petroleum ……….the mainstay of Nigerian economy. The Nigerian currency was strong and highly sought after during this period.
Exchange Rate Between the 70s and 80s
Nigeria British American German
N1 pd Stg US $ DM 3.64
£0.615 $1.51
The figures above presents a vivid picture of the strength of the Naira at this time.
Nigeria was well served by road, rail, sea air transport. During this period there were over 95,000km of tarred roads and over 3,200km of one-metre gauge railway. Nigeria had just two international airports at Lagos and Kano. Both the northern and southern parts of the country attracted significant investment in infrastructural development, especially in rail and feeder roads, as well as some measure of social services such as electricity, water supply, hospitals, schools and colleges. This period was marked by staff of the Public Works Department (PWD) clearing of the grasses by the sides of the road to ensure long distance and clear vision for drivers and other road users. Roads were regularly maintained – although then, roads were narrow and sometimes windy, they were motorable throughout the year.
Nigeria Airways was the pride of West Africa. It towered over and above other airlines in the sub-region. Nigerian pilots were renowned for their courtesy, competence and confidence. Their take-off and landing was remarkable and devoid of jerks and hiccups. Nigerian Airways flew constantly to Europe, Asia, U.S.A. and several African routes without blemish. The DC 10s, Boeing 737, 707 and 747 were constant on the international routes while the smaller aircrafts served the local (internal) routes. Closer home here, the waterway from Sapele to Obiaruku through River Ethiope was navigable and building materials were transported through that channel.
Security of lives and properties was to a very great extent guaranteed during this period. It was possible to travel all night without fear of robbers. Night travel was preferred by a number of Nigerians. Incidents of armed robbery was rare and it was easy to track criminals. It was not fashionable to engage in criminality because there was a general societal rejection or disgust for any individual who was known to be a criminal or social deviant.
NIGERIA TODAY
Today, Nigeria has traded her dignifying values of diligence, patriotism, high ethical standards, her abundant natural resources of yesteryears for inglorious habits colloquially referred to as the “Nigerian factor”: the pursuit of injustice, upturned values, endemic corruption and gross misrule. Today Nigeria is fatally sick from a deliberately self inflicted injury. Most of what is happening in Nigeria today amounts to national shame, our pain and disgrace. This shame is most manifest in our “New politics” which is marked by violence leading to loss of lives and properties, massive rigging and assassinations. The undeserving beneficiaries are quick to make efforts at convincing and confusing the masses into supporting the outcome of their political exploits. Almost immediately endorsement is rushed in from all over the country, especially from some Christian and Islamic clerics and other self-seeking leaders who pontificate on the fallacy that governments and leadership are chosen and ordained by God and that we should accept things the way they are in order to save our nascent democracy. But peace without justice cannot stand the test of time and is an invitation for anarchy.
Unlike what obtains in Western democracies and other stable polities where election results are declared less than 24 hours at the close of polls, in Nigeria, it could take three days. In some ridiculous situations like local government elections that are even smaller geographical entities to manage, it still takes days before results are officially released. This usual drag leaves room for manipulation and panel-beating of figures. In spite of all these, ridiculous figures are released as results. In some instances, there are more votes than the number of registered voters. Multiple voting is not uncommon. The tribunal judgment in Edo State revealed that fictitious voters voted and some others voted several times including supposed voters from across the Atlantic.
The bedrock for any stable and functional democratic state is the electoral process. This should be seen as the key issue in a country like ours. The electoral process represents a political choice by the populace. Next to market gossips and corridor discussions, voting is the one activity that demonstrates the extent of people’s involvement in politics. When free and secret ballot voting takes place, the direction and quantum of individual’s participation come out boldly in their true form.
In a survey carried out by this lecturer in 1998, the degree of apathy expressed by young people was startling.
Possible percentage participation in National Elections
S/NO CATEGORY NO OF STUDENTS RESPONDING TO EACH CATEGORY TOTAL NO OF STUDENTS PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL
1. Indifferent or undecided 162 250 65%
2. Yes or Interested 63 250 25%
3. No or not interested 25 250 10%
The above was almost a decade before the 2007 monumentally fraudulent election, yet the figure reveals high level of alienation or disenchantment with politics and the electoral process among young people. In most cases, this alienation or apathy leads to high level political-disinterest. Effective citizen participation depends upon a knowledge of how the system really operates.
Our citizens have not been systematically exposed to the methods of operations of our political system. A good number of our youths have been left to wander aimlessly in Nigerian political arena. This has resulted in either misinformation or the stifling of the political instincts in youths towards national affairs.
Our electoral process and the attendant protestation of results is unparalleled in the annals of elections in any part of the globe. Many Nigerians are now of the opinion that an individual’s vote does not count – that results are predetermined. This has led to serious apathy and despondency on the part of a large segment of the electorate (See Osakwe 1998, Ogini 2008). The June 12, 1993 election, adjudged to be free affair was annulled with ignomity to the chagrin of Nigerians. Since then, the situation has worsened. There is understandably now much cynicism towards election and the electoral process by several Nigerians.
Another disturbing dimension in this discourse is that politics in Nigeria is no longer seen as an avenue for service, rather it has become an avenue for quick ascendancy to wealth, and public recognition. This has led to the emergence of political upstarts with warped minds on the political expectation of the electorate. Their life style is marked by flamboyant living, luxury cars, including bullet-proof vehicles, escorts with sirens and intimidation of all perceived opponents and those who refuse to acknowledge their new found position and affluence that they find difficult to manage. What we now witness is a replay of the Biblical Haman-Mordecai saga. Haman, a political upstart paid a huge sum of money to ensure that the entire Jewish race is wiped out just because Mordecai the Jew did not bow down to him.
It is a mark of political immaturity to try to use political opportunism to settle scores. It is a show of shame and reflection of the struggle against a complex. Politics should be a very exciting part of our national life, but it is now an issue of life and death, sometimes sending shivers down the spine of the populace. That is why, organizing or conducting elections in Nigeria is warfare and several lives have gone with elections in Nigeria.
Political Assassinations
Between 1999 and 2009, 39 cases of politically – motivated murders were reported in the country. The timing of these assassinations reveals that it is usually more prevalent in the years preceding the elections and the election year proper. For example, there were 17 assassination cases between 2002 and 2003; 9 cases were recorded between 2005 and 2007 (another pre-election and election period).
Political Assassinations – 1999-2009 (- A Graphic Representation)
In the more recent elections in Nigeria, firearms were freely used. In the Jos crisis of November/December 2008, over 500 lives were lost in the mayhem that trailed that election. Several of those hospitalized were victims of bullet wound. How does this compare with what obtains in other parts of the world, where election results are respected and the electoral process is carried out in an orderly manner?
A common feature of the political terrain in Nigeria is the issue of recycling of individuals and families – giving the impression that there is some eternal mandate that these individuals and families must always be there. How do we explain a situation where some political actors who were contemporaries of the Late Sage, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, are still hovering around the corridors of power. There are some individuals who have remained in political flirtation all through the 29 years of military –rule into the democratic era in Nigeria. What a shame that almost two years after the 2007 general elections, there are still several yet-to-be-resolved court cases.
It is a fact that ever since the contentious elections, Nigerians of varying endeavors, have been united in seeking a reform process that waters the tree of a transparently, free and fair election in order to eliminate the rancour that greeted the results of the April, 2007 polls and literally created hatred and anarchy.
For how long will Nigerians live with this level of rancor and uncertainty? When will transparent elections be conducted so that at the end the loser is even quick to concede defeat and congratulate the winner? In the United States elections of November 4, 2008, Republican presidential candidate, John McCain gracefully conceded victory to the Democratic presidential candidate, Barack Obama in less than 24 hours after polls. The winner and loser in the American elections did not have to wait for the Electoral boss to announce the result of the most celebrated election result in the world. They relied on the results as announced live by the Cable News Network (CNN).
It is instructive to state here that Nigeria’s national television, the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) had a live coverage of the American election. Why has it not been possible to cover our national elections live. Some international observers were refused entry and their reports discountenanced by our electoral authorities, yet Nigerians went to Ghana to monitor elections! Our electoral process is not transparent and acceptable. It is yet to be made so nationally and internationally.
CORRUPTION
Corruption is used here to capture a condition or state of falsehood, impropriety, illegitimacy, illegality or injustice geared towards acquisition of power, money or position for private and sectional profit.
Corruption has become endemic in Nigeria and a culturally corrupt system would generate a corrupt society. A society and people would naturally produce its kind, except there is a drastic cultural surgery or there is a re-orientation as a result of time: Recall the Social Studies formula. The Nigerian society provides a very fertile ground for fraudulent practices, thereby leading to the institutionalization of corruption. A corrupt society according to Lewis (2008) produces corrupt leaders and followers; corrupt leaders copy or establish corrupt institutions and corrupt institutions create a multiple of corrupt systems. This may explain why there is hardly any institution or system that is corruption-free in Nigeria. Religious establishments are not exempt in this. Corruption indeed is Nigeria’s worst enemy preventing the citizens from enjoying the huge natural resources. Corruption is detrimental to economic growth. It increases income inequality and poverty by reducing economic growth. It also promotes and sustains unequal distribution of asset ownership and an unequal access to education (Olajide, 2008).
In spite of the establishment of anti-corruption agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) corrupt practices have continued to manifest in several ingeniously notorious ways and forms in Nigeria. This monster called corruption has continued to be the bane of the country’s drive towards the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals. Recently, at an interactive session with the House of Representatives Committee on Drugs and Narcotics and Financial crimes, the Chief Executive of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alleged that some Nigerians have cashed in on the falling global prices and had been criss-crossing the globe day and night to acquire properties with money looted from the country. Perpetrators of this crime know how to beat all the mechanisms put in place to check their nefarious activities. Our image has been seriously dented by the activities of corrupt Nigerians. Corruption among Nigerians also manifests in internet fraud and the notorious Advance Free Fraud (aka 419). A number of unsuspecting Nigerians and foreigners have been victims of both internet and Advance fee fraud. A number of young people now live big and fat from the proceeds of corruption and fraud.
Nigeria’s image has been seriously dented across the globe as a result of the fraudulent practices of some of our citizens. Several Nigerians are languishing in jails in a number of countries – Some who were not so lucky, were executed by the authorities of those countries where they committed the atrocities. The war against corruption seem to have had a focus during Obasanjo’s regime. Yar Ardua’s administration promised that there would be no sacred cows in his administration’s anti-corruption fight. However, his anti-corruption war came under serious skepticism and cynicism following the redeployment of the former Chairman of the anti-graft agency and his numerous travails thereafter that culminated in his dismissal. It is a very sad commentary and sends a very wrong message to Nigerians and the international community.
The anti-corruption crusade tempo is gradually grinding to a halt and some watchers are getting really concerned, because the sufferings of the masses, they feel have been caused by a few individuals who have diverted money meant for the welfare of the masses for their personal gain. One of the apparent reasons why corruption has continued to pervade the length and breadth of Nigeria may be that the three arms of government pay lip service to its eradication.
The damage corruption has done to the polity and the generality of our people is immeasurable and incalculable. The malaise pervades all strata of the society, including public institutions. According to This Day Opinion of November 5, 2008, nothing works well in Nigeria because of corruption. Several roads are in a deplorable state, even when attempts are made at rehabilitating the roads, corruption will not allow for a thorough and enduring job.
Education and Corruption
Sexual harassment has become so pervasive in Nigerian tertiary education. It is a highly disturbing state of affairs. The issue of sexual harassment in higher institutions has attracted the attention of a number of academics – (Osakwe 2008, Igborgbor 2008, Okecha, 2008). Sexual harassment is a manifestation of power relations and most times girls and women are at the receiving end. Sexual harassment is not restricted to any age level – some academic elders have been known to engage in this abominable game. Some academics have lost their jobs arising from this misdemeanor. Some have continued to exploit and defile girls and make public boast of their sexual escapades. Some girls and married women have been traumatized, all in a bid to acquire a university degree or diploma from other tertiary institutions. Closely related to the issue of sexual harassment is corruption in our educational system from primary to university level. Pupils and students are compelled to pay for one levy or the other. Signing of referees report, clearance, course form, data card – all attract illegal charges. Sometime ago in the history of Nigeria,
Teachers at all levels of education earned a great deal of respect from members of the public. Seen as honest, disciplined and morally above board, it was then most fashionable to look for a teacher whenever a public position that called for a person of high integrity became vacant. They had the aura of saints and always proved their admirers right whenever they had the opportunity to bring their experience and knowledge to bear on public affairs. However, this hallowed integrity of the academic class appears to have taken its leave as the country continues to stink with corruption (Aghedo 2008).
Within the last couple of years, three professors paid the price for sexual exploitation of girls and had to be disgraced out of office. There are still many more waiting to be disgraced. Academic corruption has assumed different dimensions ranging from plagiarism, victimization, gagging of academic freedom, erosion of mentoring to production of foot soldiers/”academic hostage taking” – by which junior academics under a senior colleague have no choice but to do their master’s bidding. Academic freedom that once characterized the university system is fast eroding and giving way to dangerous campus politicians, cliques and other interest groups – whose interests are some other things except academics.
Examination malpractice has also become a major problem besetting education in Nigeria. The phenomenon has become monstrous and will take only very bold and ruthless measures to wipe out. The unfortunate situation is that some people who are expected to address this issue are products of examination malpractice themselves.
Conducting examinations in Nigeria at the secondary and tertiary education level in most cities is like fighting a war. Examination contractors, parents and desperate candidates, some armed with offensive weapons storm examination centres to intimidate invigilators and supervisors., Those who refuse to cooperate are labeled wicked and sometimes targeted. Examination malpractice is not gender restricted, both boys and girls are firmly in the business.
Transport and Corruption
The airports lack necessary facilities; the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) cannot locate sites of air wreckages. The most recent defied location until several months after by hunters. The railway lines remain dysfunctional – some rail lines are now used by traders to display their wares.
General Attitude to Corruption
People no longer express bitterness and shock each time they hear of billions of Naira being stolen from public coffers, since it has now become a daily occurrence. For example, it was reported that in one month, a Governor in a state spent N1bn (One billion Naira) in his state for security matters – a state where there was no war, nor the breakdown of law and order.
The status of corruption in Nigeria today is a product of the inconsistency and irregularity of the war against corruption – Having been fought to a standstill by General Murtala Mohammed between 1975 and 1976, a follow up such as Buhari/Idiagbon and later by Nuhu Ribadu would have brought the monster to its knees. But the intervening period between Mohammed and Buhari brought in General Babangida who ruled between 1985 and 1993. Unlike the Buhari regime that came hard on looters of public fund several of whom were handed various prison terms, Babangida returned the assets of the various officers and restored the ranks of the dismissed officers. Call it reward of corruption! This history may repeat itself once again, if the travails of Nuhu Ribadu is allowed to continue. Call it punishment for fighting corruption! The war against corruption at the moment is asleep.
Corruption and the Power Sector
Two thousand (2,000) megawatts of electricity was being generated in 2008 as against the 3,000 generated in 2003. These are ridiculous figures. South Africa with a population of 60 million, generates 45,000 megawatts and the government of South Africa is aspiring to increase her capacity to 60,000. How can Nigeria still claim to be the giant of Africa? Our industries and small scale businesses provide their own electricity – how can they break even in the face of exorbitant production cost essentially because of the lack of steady public power supply. How can industrial dreams of Nigeria be actualized in the light of the current energy challenges. In spite of the President’s plan to declare a state of emergency in the power sector, things have not improved. Small scale businesses, artisans and several self-employed Nigerians have been forced to close their businesses due to non-availability of power.
It was reported (Tell December 8 that in one month (November, 2008) the worsening power situation forced the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to announce the loss of 800 MW generation capacity – within the same period the Sapele Power Station was completely shut down, and the Egbin power station in Lagos was operating “at reduced capacity”. Exactly 10 days after, PHCN reported additional loss of 200 MW. All these have been responsible for the 12 hourly zonal power rotational rationing to maintain system stability and ensure even distribution of the limited generation output from the functioning plants. Under the rotation plan, PHCN divided the country into zones. Each zone gets electricity for 12 hours; even this is no guarantee that the light would come. There are areas/sections of the country where power outage is more regular than public power supply. Even the “promised” additional 6,500 MW by 2009 is a far cry from our expected electricity demands in Nigeria.
We are further informed (Tell December 2008) that each University spends more than N120 million annually on diesel. What a colossal waste of money that would have been ploughed into other critical areas of University administration. Not many Universities in Nigeria can even afford to spend that staggering sum of money for electricity. This of course, does not include the regular electricity bills from PHCN.
CORRUPTION AND IRON AND STEEL INDUSTRY
The iron and steel industry has gulped billions of dollars, since the 1980s – yet there is nothing to show for it. The Federal Government set up the Ajaokuta and Delta Steel plants, alongside three Inland Rolling Mills at Oshogbo, Jos and Katsina. The steel plants and the Rolling Mills have not been able to meet the steel aspirations of Nigerians, mainly because of corruption and beaurcactic bottle-necks. What we now have is more like steel museums instead of steel plants. How do we explain the astronomical cost of imported iron and steel products when we are supposed to be producers of the product? In some of the plants, the components and spare parts are no longer being produced in any part of the world. The computer components are totally obsolete thereby leaving the engineers to cannibalize existing components to the point that there is nothing to fall back on.
The Minister of State overseeing the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, pleaded recently with Nigerians to be patient with the pace of development, stating that, “theirs is not a go slow government”. Unfortunately, Nigerians can not but believe that the present and past administration have no clear-cut policy on how to reengineer the iron and steel industry and position it for Nigeria’s industrial take off. For how long will Nigerians wait for the take-off of an effective iron and steel industry? Several Nigerians were sent to Europe, Russia and Japan to be trained for the iron and steel industry. All these high calibre manpower have been laid off in the face of the privatization Policy of the last administration. Some of the steel plants were concessioned to the political partners/business associates of the government of the day.
The iron and steel industry is the bedrock of any meaningful technological and industrial development of any nation. Nigeria cannot afford to remain an eternal importer of steel products. This sector ought to contribute significantly to the economic development of Nigeria. There seem not to be a clear road map that would lead Nigeria to becoming a major participant in steel development on the African continent. How can the dream of making Nigeria one of the best 20 economies of the world by 2020 come true? How can this be achieved when the primary steel mills have been privatized into wrong hands? The control of the primary source of steel (liquid and flat) is the control of the industrial development of the nation. The iron and steel industry then is a critical area of economic development that should not be left in the hands of investors whether foreign or indigenous.
The dedicated rail line linking Delta Steel Company, Aladja, Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited and the Nigerian Iron Ore Mining Company Itakpe are yet to be completed – until this is done the full value of the companies can never be realized. The rail line project, like several other government projects is more like an abandoned project that is already suffering fast depreciation. The River Niger is yet to be dredged and the Escravos estuary is yet to be cleared. Liquid steel can never be produced at Ajaokuta without all these things being put in place.
EXTRA JUDICIAL MURDERS
An issue that has bothered many Nigerians and sent shivers down the spines of the citizenry has to do with extra judicial murders. A number of families have been traumatized arising from the loss of their loved ones in incidents bordering on extra judicial murder. The unfortunate aspect of this development is that evidences are either totally obliterated or the victims are presented as criminals – the dead cannot speak for himself or herself. A few examples will buttress the point here – Almost two decades ago, a Nigerian star athlete Dele Udo was shot dead at a Police check point. This has also been the lot of a number of innocent Nigerians at various police check points across the country at one point or the other. In 2002, some traders traveling along the Okene – Lokoja highway were intercepted by some policemen who discovered they had a lot of money on them. The policemen tied up the traders and bundled them into the bus and set it on fire, while making away with their millions of Naira. One of the traders miraculously survived and escaped and reported the incident. The policemen were late apprehended, tried and sentenced appropriately. A renowned journalist, Bayo Awosika died in circumstances bordering on extra judicial killing. It was alleged that he died after his vehicle hit a police van and thereafter somersaulted several times before landing at another part of the road. In spite of the claim of sommersault, there was no dent on the vehicle; the handbreak of Bayo’s car was still on; and there was a piece of fire wood under the car. The post mortem examination revealed that the young man died from a missile injury – that is, he was hit by a fast moving metal (bullet). Could this have been another case of extra judicial murder. The case of citizen John Abah in Benue State is still very fresh. On November 14, 2008, bullets fired by a police patrol team felled him, the young man had gone out that night to relax with his friends when his life was cut short. The incident that led to his untimely death is traceable to a rift between the deceased and a police officer at a public beer parlour. In 2006, policemen killed a young man in the same town – Oturkpo, over a protest by residents to a PHCN facility due to power outage.
On December 2, 2008, the authorities of Lagos State University, were compelled to issue a press release on the shooting of its students. This was sequel to the shooting on the 25th of November, 2008 of 4 students of the University who had gone for Local Government identification. Arising from the swift reaction of the authorities of Lagos State University, the State Governor swung into action. The erring policemen were arrested and subsequently dismissed. One of the students shot eventually succumbed to his injuries despite the combined efforts of Lagos State Government and Lagos State University to save his life. The question is for how long will Nigerians put up with this barbaric and senseless killing of her citizens by people who are expected to protect them? The killing of a student in Athens, Greece early December 2008 sparked off protests from students and teachers for several days running. The killing of a Brazilian in the United Kingdom during a terror raid led to the prosecution of the police officer concerned. In December 2008 a lady was killed in Ogun State – she was taken for an armed robber. The police made spirited effort at explaining away the fact that the woman was an armed robber. A young man was shot dead by policeman in front a bank in Benin City for engaging in a brawl in front of the bank – this incident took place in January 2009. In the same month of January a young man was shot dead in Lagos by policemen under unexplained circumstances. Some commercial drivers have been victims of either police shootings or other forms of brutality for their refusal to part with their money illegally “usual toll”.
MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS (MDGs)
Following from the United Nations Millennium Declaration which was adopted at the Millennium summit held in New York, September 6th – 8th, 2000, Nigeria committed herself to realizing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015. These goals were targets for making measurable improvements in the lives of the world’s poorest citizens.
Goal I: Eradicate Extreme poverty and Hunger
Poverty still stares millions of Nigerians in the face. The degree of hunger manifests clearly at burial, wedding and other social events where free food and drinks are served lavishly by a select few. In such gatherings, several uninvited guests scramble for food. Worse still, are the milling teenagers who anxiously wait for those properly served, to leave the remnants for them to either eat or carry away. Many of our young people have now become scavengers in the midst of supposed plenty.
According to Bolatito (2008), poverty exists where people lack the means to satisfy their basic needs. These may be defined in a restricted sense as those needs necessary for survival, or broadly those needs reflecting the prevailing standard of living in the community. Poverty describes a situation where peoples resources (material, social and cultural) as so limited as to exclude such people from the minimum acceptable way of life. Poverty is multifaceted (Bolatito 2008); it includes poor access to public services and infrastructure, unsanitary environment, illiteracy and ignorance, poor health, insecurity, voicelessness and social exclusion, including low levels of household income and food insecurity.
Between the period 1980 to 1996, the proportion of poor people rose from 28.1% in 1980 to 65.6% in 1996. This, in terms of numbers translates to 17.7 million poor people in 1980 and 67.1 million people in 1996. It is estimated that by 2015, between 30.1 million and 40.4 million people would still be living in poverty in Nigeria.
According to African Forum and Network on Debt and Development (AFRODAD 2005), Nigeria with an annual per capita income of barely $300, is one of the 20 poorest countries in the world. It is estimated that Nigeria grows at about 3% and the national savings rate is about 15%. In the midst of other daunting challenges of infrastructural decay and corruption, how can Nigeria attain the Millennium goal number one?
Since independence, Nigeria has steadily fallen into the group of countries with a low level of human development, as characterized by an (HDI) coefficient of less than 0.5 (on a scale of 0-1). With a score of 0.470, Nigeria occupies a lowly 158th position, where countries like Eritrea and Senegal fare better. This is a very big shame indeed. How can it be said that Benin Republic and Rwanda are higher up the ladder than Nigeria in GDP per capita.
Table 1: Nigeria’s human development index 2005
HND value Life expectancy at birth (years) Adult literacy rate
(%ages 154 and older) Combined primary, secondary and tertiary gross enrolment ratio (%) GDP per capital (PPP USS)
1. Iceland (0.968) 1. Japan (82.3) 1. Georgia (100.0) 1. Australia (113.0) 1. Luxembourg (60.228)
156. Senegal (0.499) 163.Botswana (48.1) 102.Algeria (69.9) 136.Nepal (58.2) 158.Rwanda (1,206)
157.Eritrea (0.483) 1653.Cote d’Ivoire (47.4) 103.Tanzania (United
Republic of) (69.4) 137.Equatorial Guinea (58.1) 159.Benin (1.141)
158.Nigeria (0.470) 165.Nigeria (46.5) 104.Nigeria (69.1) 138.Nigeria (56.2) 160. Nigeria (1,128)
159.Tanzania (United Republic of)(0.467) 166.Malawi (46.3) 105. Guatemala (69.1) 139. Bangladesh (56.0) 161. Eritrea (1.109)
160. Guinea (0.456) 167.Guinea-Bissau (45.8) 106.Lao People’s Democratic Republic (68.7) 140.Yemen (55.2) 162. Ethiopia (1,055)
177.Sierra Leone (0.336) 177.Zambia (40.5) 139.Burkina Faso (23.6) 172.Niger (22.7) 174.Malawi (667)
Human Development Report 2007/2008 Country fact Sheets - Nigeria
Table 2: Selected indicators of human poverty for Nigeria
Human Poverty Index (HPI-1) 2004 Probability of not surviving past age 40 (5) 2004 Adult illiteracy rate (%ages 15 and older)2004 People without access to an improved water source (%) 2004 Children underweight for age (% ages 0-5) 2004
1.Chad (56.9) 1.Zimbabwe (57.4) 1.Burkina Faso (76.4) 1.Ethiopia (78) 1.Nepal (48)
27.Yemen (38.0) 12.Congo (Democratic Republic of the (41.1) 34.Lao People’s Democratic Republic (31.3) 8.Congo (Democratic Republic of the (54) 22. Angola (31)
28. Burundi (37.6) 13.Guinea-Bissau (40.5) 35. Guatemala (30.9) 9. Fiji (53) 23.Maldives (30)
29. Nigeria (37.3) 14.Nigeria (39.0) 36.Nigeria (30.9) 10. Nigeria (52) 24.Nigeria (29)
30.Malawi (36.7) 15.Cote d’Ivoire (38.6) 37.Tanzania (United Republic of)(30.6) 11.Madagascar (50) 25.Sri Lanka (29)
31.Rwanda (36.5) 16.Uganda (38.5) 38.Algeria (30.1) 12. Mali (50) 26. Philippines (28)
108. Barbados (3.0) 173.Iceland (1.4) 164.Estonia (0.2) 125.Hungary (1) 134.Chile (1)
Human Development Report 2007/2008 – Country Facts Sheets - Nigeria
Tables 1 and 2, summarize the sordid state of affairs as it relates to Nigeria poverty rating at the global level. How realizable is MGD1 in the face of this staggering poverty level in Nigeria?
GOAL 2: Achieve Universal Primary Education
The National Policy on Education (2004, revised) states that “the Government recognizes education as an instrument par excellence for effecting national development. The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) is saddled with the responsibility for ensuring that Nigeria attains the goal of Universal Primary Education by the year 2015. How can this lofty goal be attained in the face of the non-cooperation of several states in the federation, in not meeting up with the demands for accessing their state fund for the Universal Basic Education programme? Less than 50% of the states in the country have been able to comply by paying their counterpart funding. Unless and until this is done, such defaulting states, and by extension, the country will be unable to meet the 2015 target date for attaining universal primary education. What could be responsible for the lacklustre attitude of several state governments towards fulfilling their part of the obligation in this regard? Can it be that education is undervalued by the current democratic actors or that the conditions for accessing the fund does not permit for the usual huge financial seepages into the wrong hands?
Nigeria also endorsed the Jometien conference on Education for All (EFA) by the year 2000, that set out targets for early childhood care and development, primary education, junior secondary and adult literacy. The trend in gross enrolment ratio (GER) indicates considerable fluctuation in enrolment between 1991 and 2000. Enrolment increased appreciably between 1990 and 1994, rising from 68% to 86%. Thereafter, enrolment declined to 81% in 1995 and 70% in 1996. Therefore, Nigeria did not achieve the Jometien EFA goal of 2000.
The Universal Basic Education (UBE) guideline stipulates that each primary and junior secondary school should have one general science laboratory to cater for elementary science and domestic science; one well ventilated toilet for a maximum of 40 pupils or students per toilet; one teacher to teach or handle 40 pupils or students. These conditions by what is obtainable in our schools is utopian, and may not be attainable even by the year 2015. Very few schools have the semblance of a laboratory. The nearby bushes provide toilet facilities in some of our schools.
GOAL 3: Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women
The target of this goal is to eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education by 2005 and to all levels of education not later than 2015. The indicators here are:
- Ratio of girls to boys, in primary, secondary and tertiary education.
- Ratio of literate females to males of 15-24 years old.
- Share of women in wage employment in the non-agriculture sector
- Proportion of seats held by women in national parliament.
Gender disparity still manifests strongly in access to primary, secondary and tertiary education leading to unequal access to employment (Millennium Development Report 2004)
An estimated 50% of Nigeria’s population is made up of women and girls; however, gender disparity in access to primary, secondary and tertiary education dates back to the pre-colonial era and has its roots in Africa traditional culture. Will the target of gender equality and empowerment of women be reached by 2015. The answer is obviously in the negative. Society must be ready to deal with gender-stereotyping and the acceptance that the female gender can aspire to the highest height if society will allow. The age-long notion of women as just being there to make children or to meet the pleasure demands of the men folk must be jettisoned. Women excel in whatever chosen career they go into; they are very good and better managers of the home and society. There should be no gender discrimination on job, whether public or private.
GOAL 4 – Reduce child Mortality
The National Millennium Goals Report (2004) noted that not much progress has been made in reducing child mortality. Estimates from the 2003 National Demographic and Health Survey put under-five mortality rate as 217 per 1,000 with large regional variations. Urban and rural areas had under five mortality rates of 243 per 1,000 and 153 per 1,000 respectively. The projection of the goal under consideration, is that, there must be a reduction by two thirds (2/3) of under-five mortality by the year 2015. In other words, Nigeria should be able to reduce under-five morality to 49 per 1,000 by 2015. It is most unlikely that Nigeria will meet the 2015 target of reducing under-five mortality by two thirds (2/3).
The major obstacles towards achieving goal 4 of the MDGs are poor access to health care facilities (poverty), HIV/AIDS and poor maternal health. Good health services costs money and this is not within the reach of the poor that unfortunately make up the majority of Nigeria’s population. Corruption and greed has not yet permitted for free-health services to the poor. Unfortunately, those in government who ought to ensure high class medical facilities in our public health institutions have failed in their responsibilities. It is these same persons who can afford to travel overseas for the slightest ailments.
Availability of Health Care facilities, 1996 – 2000
(Per’000 People) 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
No. of Doctors 0.212 0.207 0.201 0223 0.22
No. of Hospital Beds 0.677 0.643 0.613 0.575 0.639
The table depicts the very appalling state of health care facilities in Nigeria. What efforts are on ground to ensure that the picture changes drastically in the positive direction before the year 2015?
GOAL 5: Improve Maternal Health
The target of this goal is to reduce maternal mortality ratio by three quarters between 1990 and 2015. Although there has been slight decrease in maternal mortality since 1990, the level still remains high at approximately, 1,000 per 100,000 live births from the late 1990s to 2001. The national maternal mortality rate was 704 per 100,000 live births with considerable regional variation (MDG Report 2004)
Maternal deaths in Nigeria, like in most developing countries are usually traceable to women’s powerlessness and their unequal access to employment, finance, education, basic health care, and other resources.
The challenges to the achievement of goal 5 of the MDGs include teenage pregnancy, harmful cultural practices, lack of health personnel and other infrastructure, especially in the rural areas. Nigeria accounts for 10% of global maternal deaths (UCAID 2008).
52,000 Nigerian women die yearly from maternal related complications. Lanre-Abass (2008) stated that majority of births in Nigeria (66%) occur at home. A smaller percentage of women receive postnatal care, which is crucial for monitoring and treating complications in the first two days after delivery. Nigerian health system has been bedeviled with problems of service quality, including unfriendly attitude of some health personnel (doctors and nurses), inadequate skills, decaying infrastructure, shortage of essential drugs and fake drugs.
GOAL 6: HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases
It is estimated that over 4.5 million Nigerian adults and children are living with HIV/AIDS in 2008. The cumulative deaths from AIDS as at 2008 was about 4.2 million people. These are startling figures that should disturb any group of people (Osakwe 2008). The age groups most affected by the virus includes 20 – 29 year olds, while the regions with highest prevalence rates include the North Central, North East, and South-South zones. It is shocking to know that University treated 10,800 persons with HIV between January and October, 2008.
Several factors contribute to the spread of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria; this includes sexual networking practices such as polygamy, a high prevalence of untreated sexually transmitted infections (STIs.), low condom use; poverty; low literacy; poor health status, stigmatization and irresponsible sexual habits. The prevalence of malaria in Nigeria has remained high, and this is due to the abundance of blocked drainages and general uncleanliness that aids the malaria vectors. It is estimated that about a million deaths are recorded annually in Nigeria arising from malaria. The fact that we have inadequate number of well-trained medical personnel to implement programmes like the national AIDS programme remains a major challenge towards the realization of Goal 6 of the MDGs.
GOAL 7: Ensure Environmental Sustainability
Nigeria is still grappling with the challenge of environmental sustainability. There are still major problems related to land degradation, pollution, flood, erosion, desertification, inefficient use of energy resources, loss of biodiversity, environmental disasters and deforestation. There is still poor access to improved sanitation facilities in Nigeria, which may be blamed on poor implementation of health and housing and other related policies, high levels of poverty, low level of awareness about issues concerning environmental sustainability and general rural improvement. Why has the perennial gully erosion in the South East, parts of Delta and Edo defied attention – instead, farmlands and buildings are annually washed away; roads cut-off and communities separated; children and adults are washed away by floods. How explainable is it that in the 21st century, even in some university campuses, students defecate anywhere and worse in some female hostels! “Short-put” has acquired a new meaning for this anti social behaviour. Students defecate into black polythene bags and throw same behind their halls or leave them at the toilet ends. Sometimes these human wastes are washed away into gutters and drains thereby creating health hazards. Excavations for construction and building sand may not be as obvious an environmental hazard as short put; but excavation without recourse to the environmental consequences leaves much pain and anguish for the people. Some Nigerians daily contribute to environmental degradation and threat to lives and properties by their careless and environmentally – unfriendly activities.
GOAL 8: Develop a Global Partnership for Development
Nigeria has continued to play a prominent role in regional cooperation initiatives such as the African Union’s (AU), New Economic Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), and has the potential to benefit from global trade initiatives such as the US African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA) Nigeria participates regularly in world trade negotiations along with other developing countries. She is regularly invited to the G8 meetings, albeit to solicit for assistance from the economic global powers.
The major drawback in this area has to do with Nigeria’s high level indebtedness. The figures on the table on trends in external debt burden indicators, 1971 – 2003 presents a quick pictorial view of our debt situation and the debt service ratio. When will Nigeria stop to be referred to as a debtor nation? The country recently presented a deficit budget proposal – how does she intend to take care of the defit? Through borrowing and thereby increasing the debt profile? The table on external debt burden indicates that Nigeria is still a debtor nation.
Nigeria: Trends in external debt burden indicators, 1971-2003
Year External Debt Debt per Capital Debt/GDP Ratio Debt Service Ratio
US$ million US$ Percentage Percentage
1971 309 6.4 2.7. 2.3
1972 401 8.0 3.7 1.8
1973 421 8.2 2.5 1.8
1974 523 9.8 1.8 1.3
1975 559 10.2 1.6 0.5
1976 594 10.5 1.4 0.7
1977 763 13.1 1.1 0.3
1978 2164 36.1 3.5 2.7
1979 2825 45.6 3.7 1.7
1980 3444 53.2 3.7 0.8
1981 3668 54.9 4.6 5.0
1982 13124 191.9 17.1 8.9
1983 17765 251.3 18.5 17.8
1984 17347 237.6 23.3 29.1
1985 18904 250.4 23.9 31.7
1986 25574 328.3 56.7 28.0
1987 28316 351.8 92.6 11.9
1988 30693 368.9 92.2 24.2
1989 31589 372.1 106.9 25.3
1990 33099 381.8 114.6 23.9
1991 33730 381.1 101.6 25.7
1992 27565 302.9 99.0 18.2
1993 28718 305.2 90.8 16.2
1994 29429 304.5 71.1 18.8
1995 32585 327.5 36.7 15.2
1996 28060 274.6 22.5 13.4
1997 27087 258.0 21.0 10.9
1998 28773 265.4 22.9 16.1
1999 28039 179.3 77.2 9.0
2000 28274 245.4 86.4 9.0
2001 28347 236.6 57.9 11.9
2002 30990 253.7 62.3 7.5
2003* 32917 261.3 64.4 9.8
Source: Debt Management Office Nigeria. 2004 Annual Report and Statement of Accounts for the Year ended December 31st, 2003
SECURITY
Mr. Vice-Chancellor, Sir, the issue of security is so critical for meaningful development, peace and progress of any people. One of Nigeria’s biggest problem that seem to have defied efforts of the security agencies is insecurity of lives and properties. We have now come to a stage where a banker or customer goes to the bank, heart-in-hand. Banking has now all of a sudden become one of the most hazardous jobs in the country.
Insecurity scares potential investors and is a major drawback in national development efforts. Our newspapers are awash with bank robbery headlines such as:
- 40 Injured in Bank Raid.
- Banks at Ibadan Closed for two Days for Fear of Robbery Attack.
- 16 people Killed at Ile-Ife in Multiple Bank Robbery .
- Banks Closed for Business at Eket for Fear of Militants Attacks.
Right from our international entry/exit points, to work places, institutions and homes – there is insecurity. For how long will Nigerians have to cope with this level of insecurity? In an attempt to provide personal security, people now build fences that sometimes costs more than the building itself. Nigerians are now caged in – amounting to self imprisonment. There are now some streets especially in our urban communities, where all the premises are fenced with high walls. Any pedestrian moving along such streets could be frightened because a cry for help in case of danger – will attract no response, since all gates are securely locked- and people inside will only open for a known or easily identifiable visitor.
Individuals/groups now spend their hard-earned money providing security for themselves – either as private security men and women or community vigilante groups. The government that is supposed to provide security for her citizens is now hardly able to cope. The demands on the police and other security agencies have now become daunting. In a situation where the numerical strength of the Nigerian police is about 400,000, how can she cope? By the time high-ranking government functionaries are given their security details including members of the National Assembly and State Assemblies, top-shot politicians, banks e.t.c. how many more policemen are left to secure 140 million Nigerians?
The pleasurable and desirable peaceful night trips of yesteryears are no more. Anyone who dares travel at night in these times is assumed to be on a suicide mission. In some of our towns you dare not hold a black polythene bag or an attractive brief case. You will be trailed and sometimes shot. Some people had been mistakenly shot by criminals because the general thinking is that black bags are loaded with money only to discover it was bread or some foodstuff. The security component of the 7 point agenda is yet to be vigorously pursued. Recently, the President ordered security for members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), following the death of three corpers during the 2008 Jos crisis. In a situation where 300,000 corpers are mobilized for 2009; 100,000 for each of the three tiers (February, August and November) Nigeria would need one policeman to secure one corper. This is just impracticable. Government is yet to vigorously pursue and eliminate the cause(s) of this high level of insecurity and criminality in the country; youth employment being the most obvious. The Nigerian Police Force (NPF) is still reportedly under-staffed, and is faced with shortages in other resources and equipment to function effectively. (The Economist 2008).
Our highways have become very unsafe; this appalling state of insecurity is not limited to any one part of the country – it cuts across states, and geopolitical regions. Several families have been thrown into mourning following the loss of their loved ones to armed robbery or other forms of banditry. Some others have been dispossessed of their goods and money. Some people, including students have been traumatized by some of these criminals. There is palpable air of insecurity in the country. The Government does not seem to be doing enough to reassure the citizenry of their safety.
THE NIGER DELTA
The issue of the Niger Delta is not only a national problem; it now attracts serious global attention. It is a problem that threatens our national cohesion. Fawehinmi (2008), notable human rights lawyer, believes the Niger Delta problem can be solved only through prayers. According to him;
I want to sound it clear that the people of the Niger Delta have been oppressed, depressed and frustrated in this nation. It is inhuman that the source of Nigerian wealth today is being denied social justice. There is poverty, death and sufferings in Niger Delta. The issue of the area alone could make God angry with Nigeria.
The criminal neglect of the Niger Delta over the years has given rise to the current agitation in the region. The struggle to obtain equitable benefit from the oil wealth of the Niger Delta has assumed a dangerous dimension with militants constantly on the prowl. The struggle itself seem to have given rise to some criminal groups taking undue advantage of the genuine agitation of the people to carry out their nefarious activities.
Okechukwu (2008) strongly believes that if we can get the Niger Delta right, we will get Nigeria right. According to him, the Niger Delta has become emblematic of all that is wrong with Nigeria, and yet remains indicative of the hopes of a better Nigeria. The Niger Delta in the view of Okechukwu (2008), is a clear lesson of the dialectical relation between affluence and affliction, and how different forces try to reconcile the two. This seeming contradiction is the true description of the Niger Delta. The level of underdevelopment of this region, lack of infrastructure and the fact that it has housed the black gold for over 50 years is a contradiction indeed!
How can it be explained that the Niger Delta, the goose that lays the golden egg is the most deprived and neglected part of the country? The oil producing communities are still living in squalor; some of these areas have suffered oil spill several times and their natural sources of livelihood have been destroyed. Gas is still being flared/wasted even after the December 2008 deadline! This practice is not condoned anywhere else in the world but Nigeria. Not much has been done over the years to pacify or placate the people of this region. Rather, some parts of the region have been traumatized by use of the Federal might. Some vocal indigenes from this region paid the supreme sacrifice. Some communities were mowed down for supposedly daring the Federal might. There is poverty, death and sufferings in the Niger Delta. The God-given wealth is being used against the people of the region. Some leaders from the area had in time past compromised the progress and well being of their people for personal gains. There are still some prominent citizens of the region who have remained resolute and consistent in their agitation for the Federal Government to redress the years of neglect, injustice and plundering. A Federal Legislator wept openly in December 2008 when he could not stop the House of Representatives from approving a virement that meant using the money for East/West Road to finance some other projects. What can be a more pressing need than a major project like the East/West road, at this time in the nation’s history. One of Okechukwu’s (2008) theses on affluence and affliction has played out here – “wealth impoverishes Nigerians. It is a reflection of the insensitivity of the managers of the polity.
Azaiki (2008), Alemika (2008) summarized the major challenges of development of the Niger Delta as follows into four major areas; Economic, Environmental, Infrastructural and Socio-political.
Leadership – In most communities in the Niger Delta youths and some elite have taken over the leadership and prefer to negotiate directly with the oil companies to the disadvantage of the generality of the people. Until these challenges are sincerely and dispassionately addressed, the militancy, agitation and insecurity in the Niger Delta will remain unabated.
EDUCATION
Our educational system has gone awry. The current state of education at all levels is a far cry from what it was in the pre and early post-colonial years to the beginning of the 2nd Republic. The sector has degenerated to an appalling level. Facilities are in short supply and where they exist, they are in a near state of disrepair or dilapidation. Some pupils seat on the floor since there are no seats. In addition, the NYSC is no longer attractive especially for those who were posted to schools because of the deplorable teaching and learning conditions. There are too many cases of exploitation of pupils and students by their teachers and lecturers. The quality of students have been on the steady decline, with the resultant effect that about 70% of our graduates are unemployable. A number of graduates from our institutions of higher learning cannot express themselves and there is just no positive correlation between their degrees and the practical intellectual output during interviews or interactions. Our universities no longer seem to hold attraction for foreign students from Sub-Saharan Africa as it used to be several years ago. The University of Ibadan, particularly had a large population of foreign students at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The situation is totally different now. The reverse is now the case; Nigerian students now flock to Ghana – particularly, University of Ghana, Legon, University of Cape Coast and University of Science and Technology, Kumasi. It is a shame indeed, because even our colleagues in Ghana are not satisfied with the facilities for research and learning there. This is confirmed by Ntiamoa-Baidu (2008):
Research facilities as well as technical support are woefully inadequate …. In the University of Ghana, for example, science laboratories that were designed to accommodate 70 students now have to cater for 700-800 students. The poor state of teaching and learning facilities will affect the quality of research and hence, the University’s ability to contribute to national development.
The situation in Ghana may just be a bit better than what we have in Nigeria. We must come to terms with the reality of the inadequacy of our educational system and make conscious and spirited efforts at regaining the lost glory.
Today, the ivory tower has tilted very badly indeed:
Poor funding, shortage of quality staff, infrastructural decay, inadequate classrooms and offices, inadequate or ill-equipped laboratories, shortage of books and journals, indiscipline, inconsistent policies, examination malpractice, cultism, sexual harassment, low staff/student ratio have now become the major features of our ivory tower!
A number of scholars have mourned its decay: Osakwe 1995, Okoh 1995, Onokerhoraye 2007, Peretomode 2008. Okecha’s (2008) book, titled The Nigerian University: An Ivory Tower with Neither Ivory Nor Tower is a good summary of this decay.
Osakwe’s Lament is reproduced here:
The Nigerian Scholar 1995
Once upon the Nigerian Scholar,
His domain the ivory tower;
Encased the chalk, the pen, test tube,
The search, seek and search syndrome,
His adorning; the gown, hood, tassels, manuscript
A name in print, an imprint.
Now chalk and pen? They stink!
Soiled hood and gown
Traded by barter
Adieu his adorning!
Whither do I go to seek him? To hire her?
O those prints submerged in tidal wash!
Swift currents of current corruption
Beflood the ivory tower
Debris of decay mingled with currents of intrigue
Channels of knowledge are blocked.
Now chalk and pen? They stink!
Soiled hood and gown
Traded by barter!
Adieu her adorning!
Whither do I go to seek her? To hire him?
Along corridors of power,
Along haggling of contractors’ bargain,
Amidst pawned children of the globe,
Caught in the cross-fire of the militia and corrupt politician,
This crumbling tower of blemishes
is
Alas!
The intractable scholar’s new domain.
Quality education costs money and since education is investment in human capital, adequate financial resources must be committed to that sector. Nigeria remains a major defaulter in complying with the UNESCO recommendation that at least 26% of the national budget must be committed to education. The 2009 federal budget of N300trn has allocated only N183bn to education. This translates to a mere 6%. This is still a far cry from the UNESCO recommendation and a national embarrassment. The table below presents a vivid picture of the unacceptable allocation to education in Nigeria in contrast to some other African countries:
Budgetary Allocation to Education in Some African Countries (2008)
Country Allocation (%)
Burkina Faso 16.8
Botswana 19.0
Cote d’Ivoire 30.0
Ghana 30.0
Kenya 23.0
Lesotho 17.0
Morocco 17.7
South Africa 25.8
Swaziland 24.6
Tunisia 17.0
Nigeria 6.0 (2009)
It is a pity that the standard of education in Nigeria has been on a steady decline, because government does not inject the needed funds into the sector.
The situation in the secondary school sector is even less cheering, including Federal Unity schools where parents are made to provide beds, and lockers and in situations where salaries are not forthcoming, parents through the PTA are made to financially support the teachers. There are poorly equipped libraries, recreational facilities are lacking. The classrooms and laboratories are grossly inadequate and the entire learning environment does not promote excellence or productive learning.
The begging culture in university education has become so pervasive and alarming. Parents, Guardians and sometimes, the prospective candidates beg in a most disturbing manner to be admitted. Immediately after gaining admission, the next stage is to beg to be accommodated in the halls of residence. Students, parents, guardians and some lecturers get involved in the next stage, that is, beg to pass or negotiate grades. In some universities in the country, you can “buy” your class of degree, depending on the size of your purse. In most campuses, students keep loitering after examinations. It is during this period, they pay unscheduled visits to lecturers, and gullible ones succumb or cooperate and grades are changed or upgraded. The more disturbing aspect is the fact that some lecturers “help” to make the case for the students. It has become almost unfashionable for a weak student to fail. Those who fail are regarded as those who do not know how to play the game. In some of these transactions, sexual favours are freely doled out as part of the bargain.
It is as result of some of these unwholesome practices in some of our universities, that has compelled some establishments to de-emphasize class of degree at interviews, but rather concentrate on the ability of the candidate to perform or exhibit the skills or mastery required for the job.
Budget 2009
The presentation of the 2009 budget by the President suffered a number of postponements – one of the postponements was to enable him receive a visiting president – whose visit was fixed much later. Was the visit of a foreign President a national priority? While the Senate passed the budget after 16 days of presentation with the upward review of their own allocation, from N67bn to N108bn, the House of Representatives decided to do a more thorough job and service to the nation. It was reported that the Senate had to hurriedly pass the budget and ignored the lapses in order to avoid any Legislative/Executive face off. Are they there to serve the Executive or the nation? Where lies the loyalty? How could the Senate have gone ahead to approve the budget even when some of the sub-committees on the budget were yet to submit their report? A budget that had been hurriedly passed was thoroughly scrutinized by the House of Representatives and during the process, they uncovered N40b allocated to completed projects. How did the Senate address the issue of a budget that was meant to suffer N102 trillion deficit? How is the deficit going to be financed? More borrowing to increase the debt burden and postpone the evil day? Facts emerging from the 2009 budget reveal that Senators and Members of the House of Representatives will spend the sum of N783million on the subhead “Refreshments and Meals.” Assuming the National Assembly to be made up of 96 Senators and 360 members of the House Representatives each Senator/Member would be entitled to an average of N17.1m in 2009 for refreshment and meals. The highest paid civil Servant or University Vice Chancellor does not earn up to ¼ of the amount allocated to each Member of the National Assembly for refreshment! According to the budget proposal, while Senators have N3,238,062,500 to draw from as vote for travels and general expenses the members of the House of Representatives will have N10,522,462,500.
By these figures, Senators and Members of the House of Representatives will be entitled to the sum of N13billion for local and foreign travels in 2009. How do these figures compare with what the average Nigerian worker including senior civil servants, and University Professors get for refreshment or travels is yet to make sense. A University professor earns a paltry sum of N24,840.00 for refreshment per annum added to this is fact that most Nigerian youths are jobless! What a shame!
Two other issues arising from the budget need to be addressed:
a) The issue of purchase of generators for the Presidency and ministries (to cost N2b) including their allocation of N113m for diesel to power the generators at the National Assembly is a national embarrassment and an indication that the solution to the problem of power is not in sight. This is most worrisome.
b) The plan by the National Assembly to spend N2m to purchase jeeps to facilitate their work in the Constitutional Review Exercise. What about the vehicles that cost millions of Naira that the National Assembly purchased in 2008?
The question that arises is: How justifiable are these budget headings in the face of the suffering of the masses? How would they contribute to general societal well-being? These developments are quite disturbing indeed.
In a situation where the Presidency and the Law Makers would earn N47.8b with other benefits -six cars for each Officer plus sitting allowance and housing allowance, why will the masses not agitate for a meaningful and living minimum wage?
Unemployment in Nigeria
The rate of unemployment in Nigeria has been on the increase, and appears to be growing astronomically. The Universities and Polytechnics churn out over 100,000 graduates annually. Less than 5% of these graduates are employed, thereby leaving an average of 95,000 unemployed graduates to join the milling thousands of unemployed each year. This is very disturbing and is partly responsible for the high crime rate in the country.
Apart from unemployed graduates, there are yet hundreds of thousands of secondary school leavers and school drop-outs who roam the streets everyday. Most of them have no skills. There are no vocational and skills acquisition centres to absorb them or train them for self-employment. Youth empowerment programmes are almost non-existent.
Joblessness has created avenue for young people to be engaged in all forms of criminality. There are no serious and concerted effort at job creation by the current administration at all levels. The new American government has promised and is working towards creating 4 million jobs. Two years after coming into office the governments of the federation in Nigeria do not seem to have any clear cut policy on job creation.
The Failed Satellite
Nigerians are yet to come to terms with the fact that our much celebrated NigComSat I disappeared in space. It is a most bizarre and unheard development. Unfortunately, almost anything is possible in Nigeria. The reported disappearance of the satellite is scandalous, a national embarrassment and an unpleasant addition to our catalogue of shame, woes and pain. Nigerians need an explanation as to why the N40 billion satellite malfunctioned barely 18 months after it was launched. What was the quality of the satellite? NigComSat - I is a super hybrid geo-stationary satellite designed to operate in Africa, parts of the Middle East and Southern Europe. It was expected to digitalize the Nigerian economy and thereby promote technological advancement in Nigeria and by extension, Africa.
The fault that was detected in the satellite could not be repaired; hence the engineers opted to park the satellite out of orbit in order not to cause damage to other satellites. How could a satellite that gulped a whopping N40 billion with a life span of 15 years die in 18 months. Is NigComSatI different from other satellites in space owned by the United States, Britain, France, Russia, India, Pakistan, that have been in space for several years? Why is ours different? Were standards and safety devices not compromised? Was there a period of guarantee for the satellite?
In the midst of the colossal disaster of NigSatComI, the debate for the construction of NigcomSat2 that would be from a concessionary loan of N59 billion has reached an advanced stage in the National Assembly. The country’s space experts must critically re-appraise the space programme or is this another avenue created for wasting the scarce resources of the nation?
Child Trafficking
This evil called slave trade in yesteryears has become refabricated and modernized today. Concerted efforts have been made by various agencies of government at combating the trafficking in girls and children, but the business has continued unabated. It is estimated that 59,000 Nigerians are in transit to Europe, while 10,000, die before getting there. Europe provides the greatest attraction for the traffickers. Some head for Gabon, Equatorial Guinea and some other African Countries. Most of the girls that are trafficked are made to undergo some rituals that amounts to oaths of allegiance to the (Madam). In some cases the girls are made to drop gory human parts/objects like their finger nails, menstrual blood, pubic hair, pants as collateral.
While the ladies are forced into prostitution, the children are forced into child labour – The slave owners’ pay their victims peanuts, while they smile home to the banks with fat foreign exchange earned by dehumanizing their fellow humans. Some of the prostitutes have accepted their fate and make regular repatriation of their proceeds home for big building projects, garages where cars/vehicles are sold, build hotels and brothels. According to Ariyo (2008), the phenomenon of child trafficking where children are moved from one place to another for the purpose of exploitation or prostitution or both, has become an epidemic in modern day Europe. An unfortunate aspect of this heinous crime is that in some cases, parents of the victims were complicit in selling them into slavery or prostitution. There was a case of a father who in 2002, committed suicide on seeing the daughter who was deported from Europe. The man had sold his house and invested in the girl’s trip to Europe to go and make money for the family. She was deported right from the airport.
Ebigbo (2007) has provided a profile of child trafficking in Nigeria:
• Average age of trafficked children: 15years (age varies, especially among girls).
• Children (primarily girls) engaged in sex trade outside the country. 68-80% of girls in the sex trade outside the country are in Italy (over 700 in Italy while Belgium and the Netherlands are experiencing an upsurge in the number of Nigerian girls).
• Common Routes: West Coast of Nigeria to Mali, Morocco and then by boat to Spain or West Coast of Nigeria to Libya and Saudi Arabia.
• Means of Transportation: 90% travel by road across the Sahara desert, others through airports, seaports and bush paths.
• Impact on Nigeria: Loss of lives, increasing prevalence of STDs including HIV/AIDS, increase in violence and crime rate, increased school drop-outs, impaired child development, poor national image and massive deportation of Nigerian girls.
• Categories of child Labour:
- Girls: domestic help, prostitution
- Boys: used as scavengers, car washing, bus conducting, drug peddling farming and rituals for example in Gabon.
• Volume of trafficking: 10 children on the average pass through Nigerian borders - daily.
• Major Causes: Widespread poverty, High Level of illiteracy, unemployment and poor living standards.
A very high percentage of deported prostitutes have tested positive to HIV. Some of the depositees including the financiers have been convicted and are serving or have served various jail terms. Some of the children never get to their destinations – in times of hot pursuit on the high seas, the slave masters throw their “cargo” into the sea – that is, they sink the boat carrying the children and girls and they escape. Nigeria cannot be seen to be a major exporter of prostitution to the world or source of cheapest labour at the detriment of our nationals and our image within the comity of nations.
A new dimension and very disturbing indeed of child trafficking that is fast gaining ground in Nigeria has to do with sale of babies. The most recent was the one reported in Aba, Abia State where a doctor runs a clinic/hospital for illegal baby trade and abortions for under-age pregnant girls between ages 12 and 21. They are paid between N500 and N600 for their weekly upkeep; they are finally paid off after delivery for about N50,000. Newswatch, January 2009 reports that each male baby is sold for N400,000 while females are sold for N350,000. There were also other reported cases of people running illegal baby factories in the country where under-aged girls are camped and men go into them. After delivery the girls are also paid off and the slave owners sell their products! What a shame, some Nigerians have continued to fashion out any abominable and despicable thing in order to make money.
The picture above shows a man whose business is the sale of human skulls to rich men: All for money. What a shame. Closely related to this, is the issue ritual murders. Several Nigerians have being victims of ritualists. In recent times some people have feigned madness, whereas they are normal human beings. They pretend to be lunatics as a disguise for their criminal activities, including robbery and ritual murder. This had prompted some citizens especially in Delta State to be wary of supposed lunatics. A number of the supposed lunatics have been involved in ritual murder. How do we distinguish between a real lunatic and a criminal who pretends to be a lunatic?
CENSUS AND POPULATION IN NIGERIA
Census provides the medium through which we obtain information that enables us calculate birth and death rates, rearrange political constituencies, and work out resource allocation. Information from censuses provides the major guiding light for making future projection as well as enhancing proper planning. The importance of accurate census figures necessary for proper planning of any country cannot be underestimated Nigeria has conducted 4 censuses within the past four decades. Omorotionmwan (2006) has observed that virtually every effort to count the people after independence has hit the rock? Nigeria’s first attempt at census enumeration was in 1962. The result was highly contentions and subsequently thrown into the sea of forgetfulness. In 1963, another attempt was made – the result was not generally acceptable, but was condoned. The 1963 census yielded a figure of 55.6 million. When the 1963 figures are compared with the 1952 figure of 31.6 million, the result is that Nigeria witnessed a population growth rate of 5.8% within the period under discussion; that figure was adjudged ridiculous and preposterous. It completely deviated from the standard norm!
The 1973 attempt at another census failed woefully. The result was rejected wholesale. In 1991, the country conducted yet another national census. There were widespread allegation of deliberate inflation of figures, but since it was considered more tolerable than the previous ones, the figure generated, 88.9million, was officially accepted for planning and other official transactions.
The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria presented certified true copies of 2006 census figures to the National Assembly only on January 22nd 2009 – 3 years after the National head count! The final figures is 140,003,542m, made up of 71million males and 68million females. The South rejected the figures on the grounds that the North was adjudged to be more populous than the South. The significance of census data for political power and resource allocation has exacerbated the controversy. It is a shame that census in Nigeria has remained highly controversial and the final figures stoutly contested. When will Nigeria be able to conduct an acceptable census that would yield introvertible results and the final figures released within the same year, not 3 years after as in the case of the 2006 census?
Indiscipline:
Any behaviour that amounts to a deviation from prescribed norms whether such norms are mere folklores, matters of etiquette/morality or actions bordering on criminality is an act of indiscipline.
Indiscipline has almost become part of our unwritten code of conduct in Nigeria. Several people bask in acts of indiscipline, hence it is fast becoming normal with a number of Nigerians. Indiscipline has brought shame indeed and pain to us as a people.
Acts of indiscipline in Nigeria that have become so pervasive and extremely shameful will include the following;
- Dangerous driving
- Poor traffic behaviour including crossing at wrong times
- Lateness to work
- Truancy
- Absenteeism – from school or work
- Using government time for personal activities
- Poor work ethics
- Bribery
- Diversion of patients to personal clinic
- Certificate forgery
- Examination malpractice
- Pen robbery/over invoicing
- Indecent dressing/immodest dressing
- Lack of respect for elders
- Nepotism
- Tribalism
- Exploitation/Extortion
- Sexual promiscuity
- Juvenile and adult delinquency
- Feigning ill health through excuse duty from health institutions
- Falsification of service records
- Victimization
- Fake/false security report
- Gossip
- Back stabbing
Indiscipline to a great extent has been promoted by poor working conditions in some work places, especially within the public service. How do you keep an office with no light, old typewriters, no sitting space; in some cases staff have to share times of sitting on the few available seats; A most pathetic case was reported in the Guardian – December 16th 2008; where a female Judge in Imo State had to be sitting under a mango tree to preside over her cases. The court room was in a terrible state of dilapidation, to extent that she fell one day and her legs were trapped within the broken wooden platform. What a shame! our working environment does not inspire confidence, hard work, it encourages truancy and indolence.
Road Accidents
Road crashes are the 2nd leading cause of death between the ages of 5 to 44 in African countries. In Nigeria there are an estimated 161 deaths per 10,000 vehicles. In 1988, the World Health Organisation ranked – Nigeria as one of the countries with the highest fatality/frequency index of road crashes in the world. By the end of 2008, the situation had worsened. In December, 2008 alone, the estimated number of such deaths in Nigeria was over 1000. On one route for example, the Benin – Asaba Highway, over 100 deaths were recorded in December 2008. Furthermore, it is estimated according to the Corps Marshall of the Federal Road Safety Corps of Nigeria, that four thousand eight hundred (4,800) people die – every year by road accidents in Nigeria – and that 400 die every month. This is considered a gross underestimate because not all accident cases are known and recorded by the FRSC and other agencies.
Several of these accidents that occur and the attendant casualties are avoidable. We cannot afford to be losing as much as 400 citizens on a monthly basis through road accidents. Even in countries in war situation the monthly death toll is not up to 400.
This picture shows us a glimpse of the state of Nigerian roads. Why should our roads remain death traps? Why would roads remain in this state of disrepair and remain a source of worry for motorists, claiming innocent lives.
Agriculture Today
Agriculture that was once the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy, has suffered from many years of mismanagement, neglect, inconsistent government policies, coupled with political instability, whether military or civilian administration. The growth in this sector as observed by Ekpo and Umoh (2008) has been unsatisfactory. In the early post independence years, the agricultural sector suffered from low commodity prices, while the oil boom of the 1970s contributed to the negative growth of agriculture since all attention was now diverted to oil, this also meant a strong push by youths and other able bodied men to the urban centres to either work in the oil or allied companies. Nigeria has lost her prime position as a major exporter of cocoa, groundnuts, rubber, palm oil and kernels. Nigeria once known for her groundnuts pyramid is no more. In spite of the number of people engaged in agriculture, production has remained at the subsistence level – even at that, production is inadequate for local consumption. This probably prompted the last administration to embark on the importation of beans from Burkina Faso. This is a very big shame for the nation that parades herself as the giant of Africa, and the 55th ranked in the world in terms of farm output! Agricultural production has failed to keep pace with Nigeria’s ever increasing population. Nigeria is now a net importer of foods like rice and poultry products. Some 40 years ago, Nigeria and Brazil were at par in terms of agriculture and industrial development. But alas, Brazil is no longer described as a developing nation, but an emerging sub-regional power in terms of economy, industrialization and military hardware. Most of the luxury buses used in Nigeria are manufactured in Brazil. Until our agricultural sector attains the level of being able to feed the nation, generate employment, earn foreign exchange and provide raw materials for industries, we will still remain a beggarly nation.
COMMERCIALIZATION, SECULARIZATION AND TRIVIALIZATION OF THE GOSPEL IN NIGERIA
Most worrisome indeed than any other area of shame is the shame of handling sacred things in an unholy manner in this nation. The church has been and is being disgraced by an unprecedented commercialization, secularization and trivialization of the Gospel. What moral standing or voice does a Bishop/Reverend/Preacher/Pastor who lives dubiously have to influence a nation to fame. Today, hundreds of thousands of churches have sprung up in Nigeria, located in homes, lanes and streets all over Nigeria, yet the moral decay of the nation is at its lowest ebb. The Pentecostal Movement which birthed the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) is an umbrella under which most of these new age churches associate. Whereas at the onset it harnessed the products of the big Scripture Union/Christian Union revival of the early and mid 70s for evangelism and discipleship, today the vision is lost. It is now largely General Overseer-oriented. Some of the General Overseers (GOCs) do not have a Church Constitution, Convention or Council to regulate their conduct. Some of them say they depend on the Bible, but in practice this is not so.
In some cases, all position of leadership are occupied by family members while actions and conduct are regulated as the “Spirit leads”. Since “by their fruits they are known”, the spirit of evil which resides in some of these leaders, leads them to kill, to steal and to destroy – the exact opposite of what Jesus came to do (see John 10:10). It is no longer news now that some pastors take other men’s wives, convert church fund for family and personal use; sell handkerchiefs like magicians do; place price tags on different types of prayers’, quarrel and fight over jeeps donated by corrupt politicians; greedily fight and quarrel over the “booties” of evangelical missions. Benni Hinn 2005 Crusade in Lagos is one shameful case; the more recent one in January 2009 at Oleh by Reinhard Bonnke with all the rumblings that went with it. These two famous international preachers (American and German) have gone with a very bad impression of the decay of the church in Nigeria. The more orthodox churches are not excluded in this decay; for most Nigerians know the gap between titles such as deacons and knights and the moral conduct of such titled persons.
As a way of extending their powers and influences, many churches establish campus fellowships in all tertiary institutions in the federation, to the extent that most campuses have about 45 different student’s fellowships. This is another worrisome development, because it has defeated the aim of uniting young Nigerian Christians on campus. Whereas in yesteryears only the Christian Union (C.U.) in the South and Fellowship of Christian Students (FCS) in the north and the Moslem Students Society (MSS) - mainly in the north; existed as unifying bodies on campuses, today, the division is producing younger generation of new age pastors’ on campus, who operate like politicians and lords, answering ‘mamas’ and ‘papas’ and trivializing the whole essence of training tomorrow’s leaders in righteousness.
In fact the Nigerian Christian Corpers Fellowship (NCCF) has its divine functions threatened by the introduction of such church – based fellowships. How can a church that has not purged itself, purge the nation? Today’s church is a disgrace to Christianity, because most individuals are yet to understand that the secret of shunning every vice is not in the power of the human pastor or priest, but in the relationship between man and Jesus Christ.
Summary of Shame
We have examined some areas of shame in the Nigerian polity, the shame and decay is summed up by Wole Soyinka (2008) in these words:
The Nation dies within, deep within its innermost moral core, a space of confidence in equity that is now replaced with the gangrene of distrust and the accumulation of terminal rot … Gangrene has spread all over the body politic, and we all know the consequences of failure to amputate a gangrenous limb, pretending that the affected limb is sound when it is only being propped up on executive crutches, is a death certificate to the body to which it is a part.
The Nobel Laureate apparently sees amputation of the limb of our body politic as a solution. But I believe that this rot or decay can be part of the nurture ingredients or fertilizer to bring forth a new Nigeria (Osakwe 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997a, 1997b, 2006a, and 2006b). The picture is that of a normless society – (Anya 2008). What we have is a despicable state of affairs and most disturbing indeed.
This litany of shame and pain outlined in this lecture so far, would need a drastic solution. The moral lepers that have brought the nation to this state of shame must be given the right treatment if Nigeria must flourish again. There must be a concerted and spontaneous national resistance to stop the principal actors of shame and their foot soldiers so that we can move from shame to fame.
TOMORROW’S FAME
The new Nigeria we hope for is hinged on a number of premises: on people; that is Nigerians, on some positive lessons learnt from other nations/societies, and above all, divine visitation/intervention.
The People:
Nigerians need a new orientation. They are both ingredients and consumers of social studies. From the junior secondary school to the tertiary level, social studies through its core component of civic education, and sub-component of moral and ethical education can re-orient the people to walk through the path that leads away from shame to fame.
Civic Education and the New Nigeria
In order to foster the development of informed, responsible participation in civic life by citizens committed to dignifying values and principles fundamental to Nigerian constitutional democracy, civic education is geared towards the following goals.
1) Seek to develop civic knowledge, which requires understanding of the principles and practice of democracy.
2) The building of cognitive skills that would enable young people synthesize information on political and civic life and public issues.
3) Engender participatory civic skills such as working with others, collaborative deliberation and decision-making and how to positively influence debate.
4) Instil civic dispositions such as support for human rights, equal rights, active socio-political participation and working to promote the common good-including promoting justice, equity, fair play and shunning all vices. Civic education is more than a subject. If well taught and material learnt is linked or relevant to local needs, skills and values emerging from such teaching will definitely enhance democratic life for us as a people – especially as it relates to both rights and responsibilities. The school should act as the training ground for civic competence. Civic education is not about trying to fit everyone into the same mould, thereby creating robots or model citizen. It is about enabling citizens to make their own decisions and take responsibility for their own lives and that of their communities. The essential elements of civic education includes:
a) Knowledge and understanding - that is information learning. This deals with issues such as: laws and rules; democratic process, the media; human rights; diversity; money and the economy; sustainable development; the world as a global community; concepts of justice, equality, freedom, authority and the rule of law.
b) Skills and aptitudes: for example, critical thinking; analyzing information; expressing opinions, taking part in discussions and debates; negotiating; conflict resolution and participating in community action.
(c) Values and Dispositions: for example, respect for justice; democracy and the rule of law; openness; tolerance; courage to defend point of view; listening skills; work with and stand up for others.
Social studies, through its civic education programme can bring out the best in Nigerians. The truth about Nigerians is that they are highly creative, persevering, industrious, easy to please and consequently easy to lead. With the right leadership, Nigerians will easily fall in tune. The bane of our society over the years has been bad leadership. The product of a pragmatic civic education will as a demonstration of patriotism resist and reject bad leadership.
Lessons from Other Nations/Societies
Again, it is social studies through its knowledge and understanding; element, which provides the information and knowledge comprising these lessons. It exposes the people to knowledge of the world as a global community. The knowledge of the fact that oil and gas is now a source of global worry should motivate the diversification of our economy, the use of available arable land to engage the teeming millions of unemployed youths (graduates and non-graduates) for mass production of food for national needs and for export.
Nigeria can learn from the ‘Asian Tigers’ the following lessons:
1) Planning development up to a critical level – structural shift in GDP and industrial composition; from primarily labour – intensive to capital goods and highly technical content services and industrial products.
2) High savings
3) Financing – Local, external, including portfolio investment
4) High educational and human capital.
5) Social and political stability
6) Aggressive agriculture and industrialization
7) Appropriate fiscal and monetary policies
8) Committed, disciplined and honest leadership.
9) Public/private (global community) partnership development.
10) Infrastructural development, particularly the power sector, (efficient road network) transportation and communication.
11) Capital goods industry development (Kalu 2008).
Lessons on Education, Health, the Judiciary and Politics
In order to bring Nigeria to the level of fame, the government at all levels (federal, state and local) must urgently review upward her level of funding of education and research. The 26% recommended by the UNESCO is for countries that have consistently and adequately funded education over the years. Consequently, Nigeria definitely requires higher levels of funding of education and research in order to attain our desired heights.
Oyebode (2008) says that if Nigeria ever intends to make progress in socio-economic and political transformation, the universities should be given pride of place; hence university autonomy remains a pre-requisite for rolling back the frontiers of ignorance for the benefit of Nigerians. These lessons should also include Health, the Judiciary and politics.
The reduction in the allocation to health in the 2009 budget from 6% to 5% is totally unacceptable and must be reviewed upward. The national health policy should be implemented at all levels. The working conditions and morale of health workers if boosted, will reduce death rate in the country drastically.
The judiciary in Nigeria will gradually become a source of national pride, if the landmark judgements witnessed in recent times is sustained. The process of dispensing justice should be reviewed, so that cases do not drag on endlessly. Ordinarily, no election petition should still be pending two years after an election! The speedy handling of the Bush/Algore stalemate in 2000 America General Election is one such lesson.
A major lesson from the 2008 American election and steps taken by the new administration there presents emerging democracies like Nigeria, with new challenges and goals to attain. Senator John MCcain, a former Presidential Candidate of the Republican Party that lost to Barack Obama, was the one who moved the motion on the floor of American Senate for the endorsement of Hillary Clinton for the post of Secretary of State. The implication is that at the end of an election, political actors should work together and sink all political differences and work for the common good of the nation. The new American President, Barack Obama froze pay for all White House Staff as a show of commitment to the pursuit of economic recovery. Obama and his team did not see their election as a quick means to recouping monies spent on electioneering. We should think of what sacrifices we can make to enable our nation move forward, not seizing every opportunity to voraciously devour the ‘national cake’.
Divine Intervention
The goals of civic education listed earlier include; “promoting Justice, Equity, fairplay and shunning all vices. Injustice and inequity are manifestations of vices, so they are subsumed under vices. This is where the role of divinity becomes inevitable in the nurture and grooming of any people; Nigerians inclusive. Vice is in the very nature of man: “for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). It takes God, the Creator to put man right; for the Bible says:
“Come now, let us reason together, saith the Lord, though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow”…..(Isaiah 1:18)
The transformed Person is new and such persons comprise God’s people who can hope for the manifestation of this Scripture:
If My People who are called by My Name shall humble themselves and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chro. 7:14
It is only in this newness that vices can be shunned. It is this kind of new Nigerian that is able to shun and renounce evil (see Osakwe and “Repentant Examination Cheats” 2000). Godless morality is often very superficial. But a Godly people will always be God’s people, hence the promises made to Abraham and his seed can be harnessed by Nigerians for her future fame:
“I will make you an everlasting pride; A joy from generation to generation” Is. 60:15b (NASV)
And in Isaiah 62:4 the Bible says:
It will no longer be said to you, “Forsaken” nor to your land will it any longer be said, “Desolate” but you will be called My delight is in her. And your land “Married”. For the Lord delights in you. And to Him your land will be married.
For all who care to pray and have been praying for Nigeria, the answer is on the way, because God delights in Nigeria. He will not watch to see the world’s largest black population with limitless resources, waste away. Divine intervention can also come by way of divine judgement manifesting in punishment and reward. When evil is divinely punished and good is rewarded as in the case of Haman and Mordecai in the Bible, it will breed a new society, this is our earnest expectation in Nigeria.
Some Nigerians have given us cause to be optimistic and really hope for a new Nigeria by their outstanding talents, diligence and patriotism. Philip Emeagwali, a Nigerian – born computer scientist/geologist was one of the two winners of the 1989 Gordon Bell Prize from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), for his use of the Connection Machine supercomputer – a machine featuring over 65,000 parallel processors – to help analyze petroleum fields. Emeagwali received numerous further awards and recognitions, including the World Bank – IMF Africa Club and was voted 35th greatest African (and greatest African Scientist of all time). His achievements were quoted in a speech by Bill Clinton as an example of what Nigerians could achieve when given the opportunity.
Chinua Achebe and Wole Soyinka, both literary giants have long placed the name of Nigeria on the global hall of fame. Wole Soyinka is Africa’s most distinguished playwright who in 1986 won the Nobel Prize for Literature; the first Sub-Saharan. Akintola Williams, a Nigerian, is the first African to qualify as a chartered accountant; for his accomplishment, he was honoured with the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 1982. In 1997, Queen Elizabeth II of England also honoured him with the title, Commander of the British Empire (CBE). Professor Dora Akunyili has become famous globally because of her involvement in the war against fake drugs.
Mr. Vice Chancellor Sir, recently, a Nigerian was listed in the first 50 Global Elite listing of United States and international news magazine, NEWSWEEK. He emerged as the only African on the list. Newsweek Magazine is one of the two most prestigious and leading news magazines in the United States and in the world. This Nigerian was not listed because of his fat account in foreign banks or because of the large property acquired all over the globe but rather for his reputation for honesty! This man and the Pope were the only Christian leaders featured on the list. This man now famous for honesty, has demonstrated that honesty is nurturable in Nigeria especially through Jesus Christ. This man is Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCGG). The honour was not an award for being the pastor of one of the fastest growing churches in Nigeria, for we have seen earlier that many GOCs have fallen short of any honour in practice. There are many more Nigerians yet to be identified, who live honestly, humbly and reverently before God and man. The new Nigeria will bring forth more of such Nigerians: famous for honesty, for industry, for their brains, scientific breakthroughs, diligence and patriotism.
Nwani (2008) has also stressed the point that the progress of a nation is hinged on her ability to conform to the ideal principles of God in her political, economic and social existence. God cannot be excluded from the Nigeria of our dream. The National pledge states:
I pledge to Nigeria my country
To be faithful, loyal and honest
To serve Nigeria with all my strength
To defend her unity
And uphold her honour and glory
So help me God.
The National Pledge according to (Nwani) should continually be replayed in our subconscious that it may be internalized, and God will indeed help us to build a Nigeria of fame.
This is possible and it will happen sooner than most Nigerians expect. When Martin Luther King, Jr. stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. on August 28, 1963 to deliver his famous speech “I have a dream” very few people had the faith that he was pursuing a realistic goal. 45 years after, that dream came true with the election of Barack Obama as the first African American President of the United States of America. It gives us an audacious hope that Nigeria will flourish again after 49 years of independence. I have a dream for Nigeria” that Nigeria will definitely bounce back and take her place in the comity of nations.
I have a dream that we have a Nigeria, where your vote will count; where it is possible for an incumbent to lose election and accept the results of the election:- We look forward to a Nigeria:-
- Where there is justice and equity.
- Where our educational standard and facilities would be of the highest standards imaginable.
- Where there will be leadership by example.
- Where the independence of the judiciary is highly respected.
- That will no longer be a dumping ground for inferior and sub-standard goods.
- Where there will be no more electoral violence, no rigging of elections and no murders.
- Where youths are gainfully employed and our roads, homes work places are safe.
- Where religion or ethnicity do not determine ascendancy to office from President to Governors, national/State Assemblies or any public office.
- Where the power sector is highly efficient and effective.
- Where food is produced in abundance for both local and external markets.
- Where corruption is highly detested.
- Where the citizens are proud to be Nigerians.
- Where our industries will function optimally.
CONCLUSION
Mr. Vice Chancellor, Sir, our yesterday was good, our today is bad and worrisome; our tomorrow holds very strong promise if Nigerians are ready for attitudinal and situational change. Social studies is still an available vehicle that must be fully engaged in this rebirth. Nigeria’s rise to fame tomorrow is possible if we as a people will be ready to make the needed sacrifice and heed the warnings of the late sage Mahatma Gandhi, who warned Indians on the eight deadly monsters:
• Wealth without work.
• Pleasure without conscience
• Knowledge without character
• Science without humanity
• Worship without sacrifice
• Politics without principle
• Right without responsibility
These eight deadly monsters have been at work for decades in Nigeria too. We must confront them headlong by ensuring that we pursue new national goals geared towards the following:
• Leisure with conscience
• Knowledge with character
• Wealth from hardwork
• Business with morality
• Right with responsibility
• Politics with principle
• Worship with love, genuine reverence and sacrifice
Nigerians cannot afford to be doing wrong ‘ in both old and new ways and expect a situational change. We must wake up to our responsibility, because our tomorrow will certainly be better than our today and yesterday. Nigeria will be more famous sooner than expected and never again be associated with all the vices and rot of the past. The call is for a radical change in values, orientation, perception and motivation. It is our civic responsibility to demonstrate a sound basis for realizing a Nigeria of fame. Nigeria will definitely by the grace of God flourish again!
MY CONTRIBUTION/LEADERSHIP ROLE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SCIENCE EDUCATION
My Vice Chancellor, Sir I am a pioneer staff of the Department of Social Science Education – a department that had undergone several stages of metamorphosis. I have had the opportunity to head the department for several years and providing the needed leadership. I co-ordinated the planning and development of all the programmes in the department from first degree to the doctoral level.. I have successfully supervised nine (9) Ph.D works, and over 25 Masters Dissertations. I have continued to handle courses at the undergraduate levels including project supervision. My goal is to see my former students, especially the doctoral and master students develop to the position of professor within the shortest possible time. There should be a conscious effort at retaining our very bright students to ensure intellectual continuity and sound academic tradition.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
My profoundest gratitude and loyalty goes to God for making it possible for me to become a professor, for that is what qualifies me to stand before this informed audience; our cream of the Nigerian society. God has been very good to me and by His Grace I am what I am today. He is worthy to be praised.
Vice Chancellor, Sir, I should appreciate you indeed for playing a remarkable role leading to correcting the injustice on my promotion to the status of professor. Thank you and God bless you Sir.
Your Lordship, Mr. Pro-Chancellor, thank you. Thank you for your exemplary humane leadership as Chairman of the University Council. I am a beneficiary of your just leadership which ensured that my professorship was pronounced after 10 years of delay.
My special thanks to my academic mentor – Professor Michael Naish of the University of London; all my academic colleagues, thank you all for making Abraka ‘the school’ that it is; my students (past and present); thank you for giving me the opportunity to impact on your lives.
Our Royal Fathers; I salute you for honouring our invitation to be part of this lecture.
My special thanks to my mummy, Mrs. V.J.N. Uvieghara, my Mother-in-law, Princess Celina Ebinum; my Elder Brother/Cousin; my Sisters-In-Law, my Brother-In-Law, my Colleagues-In-Law; my relations; our Christian friends – The Baptist family, NIFES family, Our Saviour’s Chapel, Delta State University, Soul’s Harvesters Church.
Our Precious five: Neye, Aluka, Fene, Soyem and Sone – thank you for making us proud parents.
Words are inadequate to express my depth of gratitude to my adorable May: my friend indeed, fellow Minister of the Gospel, jewel of inestimable value, my confidant, dogged fighter for justice, my queen and my editor:- Professor May Osakwe. I love you now and always; thank you for bringing fulfillment to my life.
Mr. Vice Chancellor, Sir, I wish to heartily thank all of you for listening to my lecture.
God bless you richly. Nigeria will flourish again.
Thank you.
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