Analyzing alternative sources of information sharing and reputation building for Nigeria in the international arena.

By: Muhammad Umar Pharook

INTRODUCTION
A reputable country is supposed to be a beautiful country, is an enjoyable place, offers an appealing lifestyle, and the people are friendly and welcoming to visitors. A good reputation makes visitors to feel good about the country, makes them to respect the country, and makes them to make positive comments about the country and its people. A good reputation makes investors to invest in the country; and tourists to visit the country. A strong/robust reputation is an invaluable, intangible asset to any company, country or leader.
Over the year the media in Nigeria, especially the film and music industry has been at the forefront of image building in the over fifty year of the Nigeria’s independence. Today the nation’s movie industry globally rated third after only American Hollywood and Indian Bollywood has not only conveyed the cultural essence of the Nigerian people to the living room of many across the globe but also endeared many to the country. Furthermore, the participation of movie makers in the country in international film festival such as the CANES film festival in Paris (France) amongst others has also given international acclaim movie producers the opportune to meet and exchange information and ideas and to a greater extent learned and understood more about the Nigerian value.
The music industry has equally played a tremendous role in the image and reputation building for Nigeria, as musical superstars from Nigeria have not only become household names in the country but also become globally acclaimed celebrity with internationally recognized artists now jostling to collaborate with many of our home grown talents. As a further testament to this, a Nigerian art Femi Anikulakpo Kuti was nominated for the 4th time at the just held 56th annual Grammy awards (music greatest honors) on 26th of January at the Staple centre Los Angeles. And even though the country didn’t and hasn’t won the coveted prize it has left its mark through its brand of Afro Hip Pop brand of music in the hearts of many and projected the image of the country on the global stage.
However, this presentation is not intended to analyze the role of the media and other related industries in information sharing and reputation building for Nigeria but to explore other ways by which Nigeria has and can better enhance its image and as part of our research, we have managed to narrow our discourse to certain specific areas that includes but offcourse not limited to:
a. Diplomacy
b. Tourism
c. Sport
d. Military operations
e. Educational exchange programmes
f. Trade and commerce
g. Agriculture
h. Fashion

DIPLOMACY
Diplomacy has been described by many as the practice of conducting negotiation between representatives of states, it is the conduct of international relation through the intercession of professional diplomats wits regards to issues bordering on peacemaking, trade, human rights, economy culture among others.
A similar concept to that of diplomacy is foreign policy which has been described as the type of action taken by a state during interaction with other state actors in the international arena in the course of achieving its objective and promoting its national interest.
Foreign policy and diplomacy go hand in hand in the discourse of nation’s image and reputation building effort. Diplomacy is often viewed as the action of a state towards external environments with the ultimate aim and objective of achieving specific goals towards the enhancement of national interest. The theory of Nigeria’s foreign policy has often been explained by diplomats and scholars in terms of four concentric circles of national security, independence, and prosperity on the one hand, the second aspect of the nation’s foreign policy objective is regarding its relations with its West African neighbors. While the other two focuses on continental African issues of peace, development and democratization and then Nigeria’s relation with organizations, institutions and states outside Africa respectively.
With specific attention to this fourth agenda of the nation’s foreign policy which entails Nigeria’s relation with organizations, institutions and states outside Africa, this paper sees it as the most potent platform for information sharing and reputation building for the country beyond the reach of the media. As of recent survey, there are over 94 embassies and high commissions in Nigeria and similarly number of Nigerian foreign commission (actually totally about 105) in other countries outside Nigeria.
Apart from serving as the diplomatic offices of Nigeria in these countries, Nigerian embassies also serves as first hand hotspot for authentic information about the country and also as the ear and eyes of Nigeria outside its shores, it serves to correct any misinformation about Nigeria and host other international diplomats and delegate on special national events in Nigeria such as the independence day, democracy day celebration and others. Thus creating a platform for interaction and exchange of ideas and communication on a global sphere about Nigeria, its people and culture.
Through diplomacy as well the nation’s battered image and reputation by mostly foreign media are addressed by engaging citizens of foreign countries and evolving other interactive platform to educate and inform these people about aspect of the Nigerian society. that are not being reported in the international media.

TOURISM
It has been observed that the successive Nigeria government has adopted different re- branding tools to clean up the country’s bad image. The continuous promotion of tourism industry in Nigeria will elevate the country’s image to the level where it will over – shadow other short coming. This will help correct some of the misconceived ideas about the country.
Akintola (2010) observed that Nigeria participated at both the world trade market exhibition held in London in 2010 and also the Tourism exhibition at Berlin also in 2010. Where the Director General, Nigerian tourism development corporation (NTDC) Otunba Olusegun Runsewe took the time to launder Nigeria’s image. This he did by itemizing and eulogizing the virtues of our cultural festivals, various cuisines, abundant scenic landscapes, varied traditional attires, important historical monuments, archeological artifacts and above all its hospitable people. Thus, correcting the long held misconceptions that Nigeria is not tourist haven and as a matter of fact not even safe to tourist and other investors.
Also, the use of a country’s tourism “catch phrase” to boost its global reputation and image is another noble way of using tourism as a reputation building tool. This is because, the mere mention of this catch phrase such “land of fire” for Azerbaijan, “God’s own country” for the united states among others will naturally evoke the feeling of an interesting place and good people. Thus, Nigeria’s current efforts at using tourism to catch phrase like the “good people, great nation” brand should be intensified.
More efforts should be made by exploring other avenues in the Information and communication technology ICT world, using the new medium and memorable catch phrases to sell the country globally, while making efforts to develop major tourist sites and upgrading existing one to meet globally acceptable standards.
Furthermore, the use of National museums across the country as an avenue of tourism resources to re-brand Nigeria, needs to properly appraised. This is because museum are places where material and non material cultural heritage of a people are collected, reserved and displayed for the entertainment of the general public (see momin and okpoko 1999:
157).
Presently, Nigeria has about 33 national museums across the federation. Furthermore, important personalities should be encouraged to visit other important tourism landmarks in Nigeria including Obudu ranch resort, Surkur world heritage site, yankari games reserves and others.
The already internationally accepted tourist festival, like argungu fishing festival, durbar, Osun and Oshogbo festivals, Iri-iji festival, Abuja and Calabar cultural carnivals should be more re-parkaged to make them have more international appeal. Finally, internationaltourist should be assured of their safety and comfort by providing adequate security in and around the venues of the events.

SPORT
Sporting events are seen as great opportunities for individual countries to ease tensed relations with one another, it can also serve as a tool for disseminating and sharing information from a particular country to another. There are many examples of occasions where sport is used s important tool for international negotiation and cultural exchange One of the most prominent cases of that of ping pong, diplomacy.
sporting activities have over the years become major instruments of public relationship in the global level. Given their capacity to foster friendship and understanding, sport also engender healthy rivalry and a veritable source of entertainment. There seems to be a robust relationship between nations and sports. At every sporting arena, international relation is on display and also when international activities place, the spirit of sportsmanship is inevitably present. Hence many, for good reasons see sports as ultimate international relationship. In the same way, sport encourages good relationship building.
Interestingly, sporting activities are veritable avenues for building and sustaining relationships between groups, both local and international levels. At Beijing Olympic games it is likely that many relationships were stuck among the athletes and also among the participating countries.
Another example that easily comes to mind in the discourse of sport as a tool for reputation building and information sharing among nation is the exploit of the Nigeria senior football team, who through their magical display on the pitch of play have not only dazzled many but also won over the heart of many football lovers and nations across the globe to Nigeria. the achievement of the nation’s under seventeen football team at the just concluded football tourney held at the UAE and subsequent conquer of the coveted trophy on the continent i.e the African Nation cup in South Africa are still fresh in the minds of many.
A very good example of sporting events that can improve the reputation of Nigeria in the international scene is the WAUG i.e the West African University Games, the tournament not encourage healthy competition among participating west African universities but also bring together student from these nation to come together under the platform provided by games to exchange and share information about their respective countries help in their respective country’s image building effort. The assertion comes from the realization that sport is an important vehicle for building reputations and image development in the international arena.

EDUCATIONAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMMES
This educational programs involves students from secondary schools and university studying abroad at one of their partner institutions, this partner institutions accepts students from other institutions without necessarily requesting that students from their own institutions move in the opposite direction. Such programs do not only foster relations betweenparticipating countries but also serve as an avenue to provide young people the opportunity to enhance their understanding of the society where this institutions are situated, its people, institutions, values and culture.
Through this intense interaction over a long period of time, students develop leadership skills, new friendships and a better understanding of such societies and its democratic way of life. Examples of this kind of exchange programs is the Youth Exchange and Study program (YES) which has as part of its objective to provide young Nigerian students from predominantly Muslim communities as well as those from historically disadvantaged background and opportunity to enhance their understanding of the American society and in return through interactions with members of their new society help correct wrong perception of Nigeria.
Other examples that helps to serve as avenue to promote the good image and reputation of Nigeria in the international arena is the education UK program in conjunction with the British council Nigeria, that partners with Nigerian institution and government to bring international opportunities of studying in the United Kingdom. Every year, they connect millions including young Nigerians with the United Kingdom. Thus creating a platform for culture and information sharing among the international students.
Other instances are those of the University of Nancy (Paris) through the embassy of Nigeria in Paris, that currently partners with four universities in the country to provide educational exchange programs as way to expose young Nigerians to French culture and ways of life. While these exchange program are initiated by these institution as a way promote their own culture, these students on arriving in these countries lead exemplary life and their academic achievements in the course of their studies weighs in on building a credible reputation for Nigeria. stories of this nature as emerged over the media over the years of Nigerians who through these programs came top of their class, thereby projecting the country image among countries of intellects.

AGRICULTURE
Agriculture is the practice of cultivating and farming animals, food and other life forms that are used to sustain life. It is a science and was key to the rise of human civilizations as agriculture enabled man to be able to feed himself and produce surpluses. Agriculture is important to the existence of man and so is an important aspect or sector of a country that determines the reputation of that country, because a reputable country is one that can meet the needs of its people without stress.
Agriculture can make significant contribution to building reputation and information sharing. It is the sector from which most of the rural poor in developing countries derive their income, and both rural and urban people obtain most of their food, which is produced largely by women. As agriculture depends heavily on the natural resource base, it influencesenvironmental sustainability. Adequate nutrition is indispensable to attaining good health. Though insufficient by itself, an adequate supply of food is a key determinant of adequate nutrition. This factor alone can drastically reduce malnutrition in adults and children, and increase birth weights of newborns. By improving incomes and nutrition, gains in agricultural productivity can help break the cycle of passing malnutrition from one generation to the next. In addition, it is often the savings from agriculture that provide the means to meet expenses relating to educating children.
Agricultural sector of Nigeria can build and strengthen the reputation of Nigeria through the following:
Creating new options for the poor, Agricultural productivity which is currently low, must be steeply increased. Appropriate technologies and sustainable production techniques can do much to meet the challenges of the people. As agricultural productivity rises, it will almost inevitably displace farm labour. Therefore, more opportunities must be created for off-farm employment. Agro-based processing is one such route that will also add value to primary agricultural products and help reduce unacceptably high post-harvest losses.
Aside creating new options for the poor, policies that can improve the agricultural sector in Nigeria must be set aside, in order to improve the productivity of the sector. Agricultural policy in Nigeria has evolved considerably since the country’s independence. The 1960s were characterized by strong public intervention in agriculture, with development guidelines and plans established at the federal level and implemented in the states. The government’s priority at the time was to boost domestic production, particularly of cash crops. This strongly interventionist period pushed Nigeria to the position of the world’s top producer of rubber, groundnuts and palm oil, and the world’s second-largest cocoa producer.
The 1970s through to the 1980s period, which coincided with intensive petroleum exploitation, was marked by policies’ of lack of interest in supporting agriculture leading to a strong decline in domestic agricultural production thereby reducing the country’s growing dependency on imported foodstuffs. In the wake of the major food crisis in the country in 1976, programmes such as “Operation Feed the Nation” (1976-1979) and “Green Revolution” (1979-1983) were set up. These programmes focused on strengthening agricultural production, providing subsidized inputs, community development, and access to credit.
However, they were implemented without a transparent framework to structure action, and the successive governments at the head of the country did not ensure continuity. The enactment of the Land Use Act in 1978 marked an historic turning point for land use management in Nigeria. The movement was reversed in 1987 with the structural Adjustment Programmes (SAPs) that sought to reduce the national economy’s dependency on oil and promote the private sector as the engine driving growth.In 1998, the Nigerian government once again turned its attention to the agricultural sector. It adopted an agricultural policy that had the objective, among others, of ensuring food security for the population by developing local production. Since the reference document “Agriculture in Nigeria : The New Policy Thrust” was issued in 2001, the government has assigned the agricultural sector an ambitious role in its strategic planning frameworks. The strategic document for reducing poverty in Nigeria, “National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy” (NEEDS II 2008-2011) emphasising economic development driven by the private sector, and the “7-point Agenda”, the framework guiding economic reform in the country that was
adopted in May 2007, are the medium-term policy documents intended to help the country achieve the Millennium Development Goals for 2015 and its own “2020 Vision” plan. The latter aims to make Nigeria one of the top twenty economies in the world by 2020. For agriculture, this means increasing current domestic production six fold.
The National Food Security Programme (NFSP) issued in August 2008 by the federal Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources is designed to attain food security by ensuring that all Nigerians have access to good-quality food while making Nigeria a major exporter of foodstuffs. The programme designates priority crops (cassava, rice, millet, wheat) for achieving food security and outlines objectives for all stages of these supply chains. The aim is to create more value in production, particularly downstream in the chain, by improving storage, processing, and access to agricultural markets. The programme also plans the creation of irrigation schemes (450,000 ha).
The strategic frameworks in NEEDS II and the 7-point Agenda have been translated into short-to-medium-term programmes. The federal Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources has drawn up a “5-point Agenda” for agriculture, a detailed roadmap of steps to be implemented to attain the objectives listed for agriculture in the 7-point Agenda.
The main agricultural goals enunciated under the agenda are diversified economy, food security, employment generation, economic linkages, exports and poverty reduction. It acknowledges that low productivity, low quality of private sector investment, lack of domestic and international competitiveness, weak domestic policies and institutions, inadequate funding and lack of organized land titling and tenure are the main challenges of agricultural development in Nigeria.
Other platforms by which, agriculture is employed as a tool for information sharing and reputation building is the effort of ECOWAS through the World Bank assisted West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme (WAAPP), which has as part of its goals making agriculture more productive and sustainable is also to promote regional integration, specifically by providing a sub-regional framework for which ECOWAS countries collaborate to develop agricultural strategies for generation, dissemination and adoption of technologies considered as priority commodities to the implementing countries.It is against the background that Nigeria is set to host all 15 member countries of WAAPP in Abuja, in an international research fair that would have agricultural research institutes and colleges of agriculture to showcase latest indigenous agricultural technologies and also share information on better and modern agricultural practices that would not only benefit the country but also the continent.

FASHION
Fashion is an aspect of the culture of a vibrant, passionate and flamboyant people. The Nigerian Fashion scene is an outlet or another face of a people that brings out the creative nature and passion of the people who are colorful, expressive, curious, rich and daring. The fullness of this richness and power has been recognized all over the world today due to the vision and innovation of Nigerian designers both those who work and live in the fashion capitals of the world (like Paris, Milan or London) but never forgot nor shield away from their Nigerian roots and those who are making big impacts in the fashion capitals but are based in Nigeria.
In the fashion industry today, and all over the world, the Nigerian culture is being borrowed and incorporated into styles, signatures and works of partakers of the industry. The simple wear ability of such materials like Ankara has made the fabric not only a runway creation but an everyday and even red carpets and movie premier wear of choice for the Hollywood big names. These prints are been made into not just wears but accessories such as bags, bangles, earring and all such article of dressing, Their uniqueness is in their versatility.
Lagos state is one of the most important fashion cities in Africa. Since independence in October 21 1960, they have developed a far reaching fashion industry with internally and internationally successful fashion designers, growing businesses, numerous fashion weeks, famous fashion photographers and influential fashion magazines all cross the world have featured. Fashion made in Lagos is directed to both the local, urban and global fashion world. The fashion industry gained significant global recognition in 2012.
Selfridges, the London-based mega-retailer, introduced “Ndani” an in-store showcase featuring Nigerian designers including Agu, Ituen Basi and perhaps the country’s most established brand, Jewel by Lisa. Lagos Fashion and Design Week is covered by VOGUE Italia (a popular fashion magazine), also in 2012, the event hosted Matthew Williamson as its guest headliner. Collaboration by Lisa a renowned designer partnered with BlackBerry inmaking special-edition phone cases to promote the event. Lagos fashion bubble marks a manufacturing base getting its first tastes of the international spotlight.
People from various parts of the world who are not only devoted fashion lovers but lovers of the Nigerian culture and fashion have patronized prominent designers over the years, some of these designers have international experiences and they themselves have international orientation, hence their global recognition as they are not in business for the Nigerian market alone. The relationship between the city of Lagos and its fashion is illustrated through the work of its internationally acclaimed fashion designers.
The platform aims to cut across geographic and culture barriers and position itself as a business of fashion design event targeted at showcasing the best of the fashion and design industry, drive the Nigerian fashion industry and ultimately uplift its profile within the economy.
Arise Fashion Week and Lagos Fashion and Design Week are some of the fashion week events in Lagos aimed at promoting and building the reputation of Nigeria using the work of Nigerian designers as well as promote the Nigerian culture and design to tourist coming into the country for the sole purpose of these events. Participants, designers and visitors can expect a diversified and interactive platform to maximize their exposure within and beyond their industry circle and open gateways for more business opportunities. Lagos Nigeria is seen as a perfect location for the Lagos fashion week shows because of its tourist friendly environment.
The fashion industry is a multi-billion dollar industry globally. In many parts of the world fashion industries are growing in number. Acclaimed fashion capitals of the world like New York, Paris, and London have thrived in the fashion industry. Kenya, Amsterdam, South Africa, has also begun to look into the fashion industry for economic gain and Nigeria has also followed suit.
Most recently Los Angeles, Madrid, Toronto, Istanbul, Dubai, Berlin, Copenhagen, Australia, and Dallas are some of the other place in the world some important fashion shows are being held. Some African countries have also started to host this important event to showcase their Indigenous designs within and outside their continent. Nigeria is not excluded in this phenomenon due to the fast growth of internationally known Nigerian designers and their work with the African prints and designs have notably also started to make big waves in the fashion industry as African prints and design have began to make its way to the largest runway event in the world today.
Several destinations have taken advantage of this new trend, South Africa among other countries has taken the chance to gain advantage of this venture and they have deeply embedded their names in the peers of Paris. Womi O, a Nigerian designer to showcase her collections at Miami Beach International Fashion Week. She used the opportunity to highlight the culture and talent of Nigeria therefore stimulating interest from the American population in the beautiful Nigerian design.

MILITARY OPERATION
Military operation is the actions of a state in response to a developing situation. These actions are design as a military plan to resolve the situation in the state’s favor. Operation may be of combat and non-combat types, and are referred to by a code name for the purpose of security. Military operations are often known for their more generally accepted common usage names than their actual operational activities. Military operation helps in building the reputation of a country by peace building and peace keeping, and sustainable security of the country.
Since independence in 1960, Nigeria has grown to be widely recognized in the international community as an unrelenting advocate of global peace. The principles and objectives of Nigerian Foreign Policy since independence made it mandatory for the country to be an active participant in global as well as African regional Peace Support Operations (PSOs). Furthermore, as a nonaligned country during the Cold War years, Nigeria maintained a neutral position, which made her a dependable mediator and courted participant in the forces raised to restore and maintain peace in conflict zones (Sule, 2013).
The Nigerian military is rated high in local and foreign peace keeping or peace enforcement operations. Its contribution to national unity, security and development are not in contest. As an institution, the Armed Forces of Nigeria have kept pace with the evolving doctrine of PSO. This has gone a long way in projecting Nigeria’s image in the international community and has improved its armed forces professional capabilities through exposure and interaction with troops from other countries. The performance of its troops has been widely acclaimed as her contingents in PSOs have repeatedly earned citations and medals for leadership, bravery, discipline, professional competence and integrity.
According to Sule (2013), for this active support of (and participation in) international peacekeeping, Nigeria has been rightly singled out for praise at the highest levels of the UN. However, it must be noted that the human, material and financial losses Nigeria has incurred in these involvements have been significant.
Further noteworthy is the view held by some that Nigeria has not taken full advantage of its active participation in the numerous peacekeeping operations around the world by not getting commensurate economic, military and political remuneration for its participation. For example, countries like Ghana, which also participate in numerous UN PSOs, generate funds through this process to defray the costs of sustaining its military, while Nigeria on the other hand has largely deprived itself of such benefits.
Despite the problems and costs confronting Nigeria’s peacekeeping efforts it has continuously sent troops to PSOs. Nigeria routinely ranks in the top five countries contributing troops to UN peacekeeping operations. As previously noted, the Armed Forces of Nigeria have achieved international recognition for their admirable performances in peacekeeping. It is worthy of note that peacekeeping has become a proxy for training in terms of acquiring practical experiences. It serves as a continuous on the field training experience. The challenges in the mission area provide opportunities for more practical experiences of soldering. In an era in which military hardware is being improved through testing on a daily basis, PSO deployments also serve to test the familiarity of Nigerian troops with modern weapons. Joint and combined training has also been achieved in the various PSOs. These have afforded Nigerian troops the opportunity to mix with other nation’s armed forces, thus encouraging training and learning of their organization, tactics and methods of operation.
Nigeria has also been using the mechanism of peacekeeping to translate her inspirational quest for African leadership into reality. Its contributions to PSO have contributed to boosting the country’s military and diplomatic status within the international system. It has been through the instrumentality of the peacekeeping force that Nigeria has assumed the status of a major actor in international conflict management.
Arising from peacekeeping therefore, more African countries and indeed the outside world have come to appreciate the centrality of Nigeria to African affairs. Nigeria has shown commitment to promoting international peace and security through her participation in PSO. The country has particularly demonstrated her ability when conducting sub-regional PSO missions. Consequently, Nigeria has leveraged on her peace support role as a basis to claim for a seat in an expanded UN Security Council.
Sule (2013) would further opine that, PSOs are also good avenues for exposing the Armed Forces of Nigeria to modern “Military Operations Other Than War” and to modern military equipment. This would improve the efficiency of troops. Continued Armed Forces of Nigeria participation in PSOs will also further enable her to seek recognition and bid for portfolios at the UN Headquarters in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) and in senior leadership positions in fielded peacekeeping missions to include senior appointments such as force commanders. Participation of Nigerian personnel in PSOs also serves as an opportunity to garner aid and technical assistance from the more developed nations. This will improve the development of her human resource capacity.

CONCLUSION

If the country’s major objective is to woo foreign investors, the policy makers must deemphasize bandying about political and economic rhetoric, technical jargons and bloated slogans but work assiduously on creating conducive economic environment, political stability and hospitality. Though globalization is described as openness to the world market and world best practice, Mr. Peter Walker at FAPRA conference pointed out that it is performance that gets a nation respect not rhetoric in public arena. The country must study its attitude and that of other nation and see how to blend them together.
In summary, for the Nigerian Image and reputation to be successful there is need for it to have a clear cut mission statement, time-bound execution, stages for actualization and necessary feed back as it progresses. Effective use of professional lobbyists and all the elements of integrated marketing communications are desirable. More emphasis should be laid on pride in our culture, products and people.
Our traditional attire of flowing gown and caftan are beautiful brand that have for years distinguished our nation as lover of culture. For the success of the new image project, involving public and private sectors participation, the initiators must heed the advice of FABRA in its communiqué, that there is need for planned, focused and sustained efforts at creating, maintaining and sustaining cordial relationship within and outside the government. Regular evaluations of public opinion, attitudes and perception of all stakeholders are necessary for proper plan of action to address them.

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Tackling insecurity in Nigeria, A Collective Responsibility

Numerous attempt at curbing the spat of growing insecurity in Nigeria, particularly northwest Nigeria continues unabeted. From the lingering farmer and herders conflicts of the north central, which is deadlier than the Boko Haram insurgency, to the incessant cases of abduction and ransacking of communities in Kaduna, Katsina, Niger, zamfara and most recently sokoto are but a few examples of the deplorable state of security in the country. Worrisome is the unprecedented increase in violent attacks which has continued to defy sustained measures and efforts of security forces and personnels especially in the northwest of Nigeria. An area dubbed the poorest and worse governed with the lowest human capacity development index.
The rising state of insecurity in the northwest with vicious attacks on local communities, commuters, educational facilities as well as the kidnapping of persons by criminal elements and groups in the region is taking a worrisome dimension In recent times. But why has the Northwest become a safe haven of increasing criminal and terrorist groups? Alot of contributory factors might have played some roles in why northwest Nigeria is vulnerable to incessant violent attacks ever witnessed in our treasured history. Apart from its location, northwest Nigeria is highly susceptible to violent attacks by these criminal groups partly due to a combination of mutually reinforced factors such as:
Firstly, the porous Nigeria-Niger borders and difficult terrain. This border covers an area of about 1500km and despite the combined efforts of the Nigeria Immigration Service and Nigeria Custom Service, they still fall short of the desired level of success, largely because of inadequate man power and technology. The porous nature of these borders further exercebate the potential spread of terrorist activities into Nigeria’s Northwest from neighboring Burkina Faso, Mali, Chad and Niger Republic. The vulnerability of the Nigerian borders to the infiltration of terror and criminal groups is compounded by forest reserves in the region, the vast and rugged terrain, sparse vegetation makes surveillance difficult. Making the forest ideal hiding pace and operational base for criminals.
Arms and weapon trafficking. These criminals terrorising the country with particular reference to the North West are known to deploy highly sophisticated weapon in there neferious operations. These weapons find their way to these criminals often due to the porous nature of our borders and ease of arm trafficking around them. The ilicit proliferation of weapon compounds the impact on peace and security and heightens the incidence of terrorism, kidnapping and banditry activities in the northwest.
Overburdened security apparatus. The state security response to increasing insecurities in Nigeria and more importantly northwest continues to deteriorate, from decade long war against terror, cascading engagements with the Niger-Delta militias, farmer-herders conflicts to the ever brazing and daring affront from kidnappers and bandits of recent times. Infact, the Nigeria military continues to be on active deployment in almost every state of the federation. Same also has officers and men of the Nigeria Immigration Service as well as other para- military services in the country been actively engaged in internal security threats that ordinarily should be left to the police to contain. With the overstressed security apparatus, these criminals have been able to operate with little or no resistance.
Poor governance and poverty. In many instances, the sustained cases of vicious attacks are symptoms of a weak, exclusionary or exploitative governance systems in the northwest. Compounding factors such as weak institutional capacity within the secuy architecture, extreme inequality, poverty, unemployment and citizen alienation from the government. Five out of Nigeria’s 10 poorest states are in northwest Nigeria, these are Katsina, sokoto, kebbi, zamfara and jigawa. Further evidence suggest that population explosion, poor governance and high incidence of poverty is making many unemployed youths more and more vulnerable to recruitment by these criminal terror groups in the region.
With the causative factors highlighted and examined, it is only appropriate to seek ways of curbing these challenges with it’s attendant consequence as has become evident in the region but more worrisome is the capacity of these violent attacks snowballing into a national emergency (if it isn’t already) by nipping it in the board as soon as possible and as such, the following recommendations if adopted could help address some of these issues:
Better supported border security and stamping down on corruption. The federal government must collaborate with state governments to address the immediate challenge of border porosity. Concerted efforts to recruit, train, and post adequately equipped customs and immigration personnel to the region can boost surveillance and stem the tide of the free flow of arms into the country. Moreover, addressing corruption here is pivotal, because border patrol is a major racket for security forces and government officials. The ongoing military response must also be sustained through strategic coordination with the counterterrorism unit of the Nigerian police force, while the recent introduction of drone surveillance and anti-banditry bombardment is maintained.

Collaboration with neighbors. Another effort toward border security is the creation of a bilateral joint task force between Nigeria and Niger to serve as a trans-border security force resourced and managed through the immigration and custom services of both countries. The joint task force should be matched with immediate and precise action to prevent wide-scale terrorist and bandit movements across the borders.
Improved law enforcement. Furthermore, the federal government must prioritize law enforcement solutions in tackling rising insecurity in the northwest. Policing is critical to intelligence gathering in identifying and tracking the cells of criminal groups in the states and aiding community response to insecurity.
Strategic investments in human and infrastructural development. Such investments can work to solve the long-term, underlying challenges created by poor governance and deepening poverty that feed such insecurity. Concerted local engagement. The federal and state governments must collaborate with the established religious and traditional institutions to build community resilience against terrorism.

THE PAINS OF CHANGE-DEVELOPMENT

By: Mohammed Umar Pharook

While all changes do not lead to development, all development requires change. The ability to evoke change is essential for every society that wants to continually develop. Through the course of time, change has occurred through various causes and processes, resulting in both positive and negative change. However, it is the attitude towards this change that is most significant in order to achieve result.

Change is omnipresent in any society, particularly that which strives to fulfill the basic needs of its population, but it takes committed leadership to accomplish. To lead a multi-ethnic society like Nigeria while also maintaining  and remaining committed to democratic principles and culture is as daunting as sustaining its national culture and identity. This is solely because, for a country like Nigeria, incorporating several ethnic groups to conform with a particular political system would amount to bringing together the problem of ethno-religious conflict as well. Such as been the case of our democratic experiment as regards to change and series of successive changes.

And so it is, after nearly four decade of military dictatorship, Nigerians both at home and oversees, clamored for a more liberal and democratic rule. However, this change came at a cost, those who were the vanguard of change fought fervently to wrestle power from the grip of the military. But for the foresight of the then Head of State, General Abdulsalaam Abubakar (Father of Nigeria’s new democratic rule), this would have been impossible. And change to democratic rule we got in 1999 with a transition after thirty-five years of tyrannical military rule. Majority of those who championed the campaign immediately with the ban on political activity lifted came together under the umbrella of the People Democratic Party (PDP) and took the driving seat to steer the new democratic Nigeria towards the promised bounties of democracy dividends.

Sixteen years after the transition from military to democratic rule, Nigerians again demanded for a different kind of change. Obviously displeasured and dissatisfied with the style of government of the PDP and presumed failure of the PDP to translate change to physical, social and economic development and prosperity for many Nigerians. And so, the opposition sold the idea of a different kind of “Change” and a promise of development. In unison, Nigerians jumped onboard the change bandwagon, with the hope that change would translate to development as perceived by Nigerians. The result of this we all bear witness to in the just concluded general elections of 2015.

The general elections may have come and gone, with Nigerians still bathed in the cheerful gloat of change. Given the wide celebration and dexterity on display over the final outcome of the general elections and for the first time in the history of the nation’s polity the emergence of the opposition, the All Progressive Congress (APC), thereby bringing an abrupt end to the sixteen year reign of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP). With high expectation of the new government which commences from May 29th, 2015, the question that may arise from then is on how the APC-led government would be able to meet the litany of demands of Nigerians within its first four years of governance at the national level and perhaps fulfill the much agitated chant for change and development. Many would say, they have been successful at the state level with examples in Lagos, Rivers and Kano quick to come to bear. But at the national level, this would be their first bite of the cherry.

General Muhammadu Buhari’s emergence and the All Progressive Congress’ clean sweep at the poll is not a manifestation of its lofty political ideologies. To say the least, if properly examined, the composition of the party at all levels is indicative of the same faces that constituted the outgoing ruling People Democratic Party (PDP). Hence, it is safe to say that, the APC is riding on the sympathy of Nigerians for change-development and an outright discontent by Nigerians of the perceived failed sixteen year reign of the PDP, which in the eyes of many Nigerians has not only exacerbated the spat of corrupt tendencies but has seen the glorification of impunity in the latter years and high rate of unemployment occasioned by the ever-increasing poverty rate in the country. The Nigerian Immigration Service recruitment scam is one in a series of cases that goes to show the risk therein should the nation continue on this path of rich aggrandizement of the few at the expense of many.

As stated earlier, the problem most Nigerian leaders are faced with is the challenge of meeting the demands of Nigerians at various levels, which may, but of course not limited to supporters, followers and party stalwarts. In the case of the incoming party, it has seen the return of power back to the North with its known tendency for domination and in recent times, it felt hard done after the sudden demise of late President Yar’adua and the installation of his second-in-command, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, which saw power shifting to the minority South-South and the assertive nature they assumed in an attempt not to relinquish it in a hurry. But the interesting scenario that will play out in the APC in the coming years is that of how the party machinery will feed the plethora of interests that constitute its inner caucus while ensuring it meets the demand for change translating to development for Nigerians. Take for instance,  Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, the national leader of the APC, who leads the charge from the South-west, while Rotimi  Chibuike Amaechi along with Owelle Rochas Okorocha championing the interest of the East and South-South against the might of the several Northern gladiators. This makes an interesting marriage akin to a controversial union in the APC. However, while this may appear as such, leaders of the APC have been quick to refute this, as the national leader of the party is quoted as saying “…what we have achieved politically in Lagos and Nigeria is a result of team work, political compactability and vision.”

With President Buhari already posited as the uncompromising personality and dogged adherent to constituted authority, what is left to be seen is how this translates to effective governance and service delivery to Nigerians in the coming years in the face of these litany of demands from these interest groups that paid dearly for his victory. This is coupled with the ubiquitous economic downturn, a culture of impunity, mismanagement and aggravated corruption in government establishment and among officials inherited from the outgoing government of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Furthermore, examining the election outcome which showed the averseness of the people of South Eastern Nigeria to the “change fever” that engulfed the nation, a situation that was not entirely a fault of theirs but rather, the greed of its political elites who hijacked the electoral process in the 2015 general elections for their self-seeking interest at the detriment of the Ibo nation. This again presents an interesting situation that appears to show that the South Eastern geo-political zone is shut out of the mainstream Federal government in the emerging power equation of the APC’s incoming government. Given that President Muhammadu Buhari is from the Northern geo-political zone, while his Vice, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo is Yoruba from the South West, the next two key positions in the land should ordinarily be filled by the South East. These are the positions of the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. But looking at how the Ndigbo supposedly voted in the just concluded elections which saw their votes overwhelmingly going to the PDP. It brings to bear the fear the Ndigbo’s have long held of being marginalized, only this time, they shut themselves in the foot, even though they have repeatedly claimed they have no regrets for how they voted. What is left to be seen is if the government of the APC will assuage this fear and what critical role Ndigbo will play in the evolving change-development effort, considering their precarious situation in the polity at the moment.

Consequently, the outcome of the change experienced during the 2015 general elections, is the spat of political defections. A lot of political heavyweights switched allegiance and camped with the All Progressive Congress, a chief beneficiary of the season long defection exercise. Many may be quick to say, the Constitution provides for freedom of association of any kind under the law. But the situation portents grief danger for our politics in that, while many reasons have been cited for this defection by political observers, which ranges from lack of political ideology of our political elites to pursuit of their selfish interest, Other commentators had alleged the need for political relevance and pressures at the top as being responsible for these antecedents, Price for change you may wish to call it, but perhaps such change should also be reflected in the dealings of the political elite in the country, in the form upholding and standing for what they once held dear and believed in. However, the danger in this spat of political defection is that, it may just elude Nigerians of a vibrant opposition to keep close tap with policies and activities of the new government.

Another key issue this raises is the absence of political ideology in our polity. Take the American experience as a case in point, with the two dominant political forces, the Democrat and Republican, political ideologies of both parties are shared common values that have been enshrined in the norm of the American culture such that, regardless of what candidate contests under what platform, such party ideologies have gained acceptance among the American citizens that they are even passed down the family tree. Candidates contesting political offices from either of the two platforms are not only adherent but loyal followers of such ideologies that they swore to uphold. It is, therefore, not often that we see candidates or politicians of one party cross-carpeting to the next regardless of what circumstances might have befallen his or her political party at the polls. Nigeria’s democracy has come of age and this is clearly demonstrated in the just concluded general elections. The next phase for our political journey should involve change that would see political parties having a distinct position on national and international issues which could constitute their ideologies.

Beyond the rhetoric of party ideologies and political marginalization, what the political atmosphere in the country has witnessed in the last general elections is a clear testament that change is really imperative. This is so because, it is no longer the case of business as usual for political office holders, especially when you occupy such office in a dispensation where information travels at jet speed, The internet community of Nigeria must be commended at this point for eavesdropping and serving as a new vanguard for change, effective governance and development through the power of the social media. They have not only given the Nigerian side to the story, but with unfolding precedents, they are sure to make future leaders sit-up and understand public office are public domain and not personal investment and as such people who occupy them must realize that the eagle eyes are watching.

For President Muhammadu Buhari, his emergence as the candidate of choice for Nigeria he should realize, is borne out of the desire by many Nigerians to have a feel of the much talked about change-development and democratic dividends which has alluded them for much too long. And so, he has been saddled with an utmost responsibilities, considering the state of the nation at this point in our history. For this, he (Buhari) should understand that every decision and action he embarks upon must be one that serves the best interest of Nigerians rather than his party. Bearing in mind that it was him rather than the party that the Nigerians masses voted overwhelmingly for and so he should serve them the change that they so dearly yearn for. This change as defined by the masses will only be considered to have come, if they are guaranteed the simple pleasures of life, such as three square meals, portable drinking water, functional health facilities and education, a thriving economy anchored on provision of adequate electrification and industrialization. These will be the change-development that most Nigerians crave.

With these expectations, General Muhammadu Buhari may have had his work cut-out for him, because the said change must be such that would translate to economic transformation and physical development, else we might be looking at a replay of the Egyptian Mohamed Morsi’s case on our hand. As such drastic measures are expected to be taken within weeks after May 29th hand-over. Nigerians on their part should also expect to feel the pangs of these measures expected to be rolled out if the change they so dearly clamor for are to be achieved. Some of these measures may require that General Buhari be extraordinarily brave, starting with downsizing the over-bloated civil service work force. Others may include any measure that General Buhari is to adopt such as reduction in the overhead cost of the executive and legislatures, cut down the number of foreign trips (especially unnecessary ones), reduce the fleet of presidential airlines and sponsored foreign trips like Holy Pilgrimage for party faithfuls and allowances. This will go a long way to giving confidence and acceptance to his reform agenda.

Furthermore, Nigerians must understand that change is complimentary, for the said change to translate to development as perceived, not only the leaders but Nigerians must compliment the effort of the leaders in aligning self with the famous saying of Mahatma Ghandi “…be the change you want to see”. And so in the light of that, Nigerians must change their orientation and see themselves as valued stakeholders in the change movement. When Lagos State embarked on the change drive that is now visible for all to see today, it took the foresight and brevity of Sen. Bola Tinubu’s strategic planning and the visionary leadership style of Babatunde Raji Fashola, complimented by the acceptability and believe of Lagosians to achieve. They equally made sacrifices in this regard, even though at first it really didn’t went that well, particularly, in the area of tax remittance and adhering to changing penal codes and ethics.
Also, considering the shortfall and unstable nature of oil prices in the global oil market, the security challenges facing the nation amidst other plethora of challenges, Nigerians must be seen to react positively towards this moment of trial that puts our collective resolve for change and development to test. Collectivism should be the mantra, we must come to term with the fact the APC has no magic wand to swipe away these challenges overnight. Nigerians should reflect upon this each time they chant “Sai Chanji” again, are we ready to pay for the cost of change? If development is the resultant effect of change, are Nigerians ready to succumb to the series of drastic measures that are expected for change or are Nigerians ready to work together with their leaders for change to translate to development? These are fundamental questions that every Nigerian must reflect upon if the greater glory of Nigeria’s change will come and development will be achieved.

Finally, in the words of Senator, Ben Murray Bruce “four years is only enough time to fix Nigeria. Any time spent on other venture is time taken from this most important assignments.” For this reason, I would say to President Muhammadu Buhari that, there is no time to allow himself to be drawn into the game of vendetta reasoning with his predecessor or its associate. Admittedly, some personal jibes were hauled at him during the electioneering period on the media, he should consider it as the price for change. But the truth be told, none of this shallow thinking served the interest of Nigerians and as such Buhari must look past this and rather than focus on vengeful mission, he should look beyond the bitterness. Accomplishments first before mistakes of his predecessors, not everything that the past administration did was a complete flaw, credit must be accorded it where necessary. We must at this point in our political history start looking beyond the politics of rancor and bitterness. Now is time for the General to martial up a road map for the restoration of Nigeria’s glory along with the best set of brains the country can boast of at this point in time, if change is to set the country back on course to its self-realization and development.   

10 Mistakes Job seekers make and how to avoid them

Career Coach and Author Ford R. MyersHighlights 10 Little-known but Deadly Mistakes That Can Stop a Job Search Dead in its Tracks!Many people make significant job search mistakes and never even realize it. These blunders are easy to make … and they can end up costing you thousands in opportunities

Mistake #1: Relying on Online Job Postings

In general, job postings and “want ads” produce little value. However, it is also a mistake to ignore them altogether. Some of the best chances for jobs from ads are in specialty trade publications and web sites of specific industries. Myers suggests spending no more than five percent of your valuable time on public job postings. 

Mistake #2: Mailing Unsolicited Resumes

Unsolicited resumes are considered garbage, scrap paper and wasted effort. Secretaries kill them, Human Resource Managers file them away, and hiring decision-makers pitch them. Myers advocates abandoning this job search tactic completely. 

Mistake #3: Looking Only for Job Openings

Searching for companies with “openings” is an obsolete job hunting method. The best jobs are never “vacancies” or “openings.” Rather, more than 40% of positions are created for the applicant, often at the interview. The key is to shift your focus from “openings” to “opportunities” (which exist nearly everywhere). 

Mistake #4: Ineffective Networking

Networking should be the primary focus of every job search. However, Myers finds that most people go about it the wrong way – by talking too much and asking for jobs. The best networkers are listeners rather than talkers, have a clear agenda, and are not shy about asking for feedback and guidance. Remember that networking is more about giving than it is about taking. 

Mistake #5:  Leaving Yourself Open to Many Kinds of Jobs

Focus on finding the RIGHT job – not “just any job.” Critical factors to consider include scope of responsibilities, satisfaction, growth potential, location, cultural fit, great co-workers, a pleasing environment and competitive compensation. Commit to your job-search goal, and don’t try to be “all things to all people.” 

Mistake #6:  Being Unplanned in Your Search

Myers suggests the following tips to conduct a proper job search: a well thought-out methodology, daily solitude and planning, space in the home dedicated to the search, and a system for accountability. Most of all, be 100% clear about your job search objective – and follow a structured plan to achieve it. 

Mistake #7:  Doing it Alone

Career coaches are experts who provide objective guidance, help you “think outside the box,” and provide a proven system for job search success. Many offer excellent advice on salary negotiation – often exceeding the job seeker’s expectations. The job market is just too tough to think that you can achieve optimal results by yourself. 

Mistake #8:  Letting Others Control Your Job Search

Of course, it is best to conduct your own research and target the right companies yourself. Remember: only you can “sell yourself” effectively and land a job. However, Myers suggests working with a small selection of professional recruiters – they can serve an important role in your search. But you’ll need to maintain control over the whole process. 

Mistake #9:  Not Preparing Well Enough for Job Interviews

When you boil it down, all job interviews are comprised of five basic elements: articulating your value, conveying your knowledge of the company, asking intelligent questions, negotiating compensation, and following-up. Each of these items has to be practiced in advance so you can “ace” the job interview. “Winging it” just won’t do! 

Mistake #10:  Not Knowing Your Market Value

You must research and assess your value in the marketplace before you attend a single interview. Never disclose your salary requirements – always get the employer to name the salary or range first. The time to talk money is when the employer has made it clear that you are their top candidate, and after they extend an offer. “It is very easy for even the savviest of job seekers to make these mistakes. By learning how to navigate these potential pitfalls from the outset, your job search will be more productive and yield more positive results,” adds Myers. 

WALKING THE TIGHT ROPES

By: Muhammad Umar Pharook

With the service year nearing completion, I thought it was time for stock taking, you know how they say NYSC service year was the point in the lives of many where personal ideals are consolidated or circumstance may force one to shift ground on live long ideologies. Well, my case isn’t an exception, for the last eight months, I have had to deal with eventful, adventurous, exciting conditions and at the same time, I have had to come up against situations that threatened to undermined my personal believes and robbed me off what I once held and guarded jealously close to heart.
The excitement for me knew no bound, given that I had to start my NYSC journey with an emotional return back to Markudi, in Benue state after over two decades, (Oh! Did I mention I was born there), culminating in my eventual redeployment to Minna, Niger state. Serving in the state brought me close to great people, whom within our short period together have managed to make such invaluable impression that would live beyond the service year (guess you could say that was the whole idea). But so also, has the past couple of months brought with it, experiences that left sordid taste and scars, I made new friend as I have lost great ones. Situations have compelled me most times to make crucial decisions that I can’t say I regretted or relished, and in so doing, I may have come short of my own expectations of me and as many who know me would have expected. I have hurt some by this and at the same time gotten hurt as well. But in all, I think, these moments in my life have brought forth the realization of greater self-worth.
However, not to run the risk of sounding too proud, I would dignify my situation as one of institutional, taking stuck of events every day, wining sometimes and learning at other times, a trend I am beginning to grow fond off lately, for whether in hurts and glory, I have had to readjust each time to navigate through muddy waters (how I did, I can’t explain). Setting my sight on an envisioned glorious tomorrow with all of its trappings and glitz, and bearing in mind as well nothing worthwhile comes cheap, stumbling and crashing but thankful to keep landing on my back, for if I can look up, I can get up, a mentality that continually wax strong now, with the awareness that I hold no control over what happens to me, but with firm believe and hope, I will make it across this tight ropes, so help me God… AMEN!

BETWEEN “THE DEVIL” WE KNOW AND BUHARI’S FORTH COMING: ITS DECISION TIME NIGERIANS

By: Mohammed Umar Pharook

Listening the man many have come to know and revere for his eloquence and emotion gripping articulate speeches, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, who now fondly goes by the three letter GMB initials, as he presented his pre-convention and victory speech at the All Progressive Congress (APC) Presidential primaries which was recently conducted in Lagos on 12th of December, 2014. For which many commentators have come to adjudge as one of the few cases of free, fair and peaceful ballot conducted in the land of recent, a clear testament of the growing maturity in the nation’s polity and the growing believe in the competence of the nation to one day conduct a free, fair and credible poll devoid of anomalies or electoral fraud. The outcome of which threw up the man Muhammadu Buhari as the party’s flag bearer ahead of the February 15th 2015 Presidential election. Just gets one wondering, at how much perseverance he conjure, that after previous failed attempt at the number one position in the land, first in 2003 against Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, then 2007, against late Umaru Yar’Adua, then again against the incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011. His passion to put himself forward and render selfless service remained visibly clear through his comments every time he gets a chance to lend his voice to matters of national concern.
Perhaps, some that would go down in history includes some of these excerpts which caught my curious imagination from the pre-convention and victory speeches of General Muhammadu Buhari:
“Christian and Muslim, Southern and Northern, Rich and Poor, Young and Old, Man and Woman. We are all citizens of Nigeria. There is no dividing line among us that I care to honour. Either we advance as one or fail altogether.”
“…Personal ambition does not drive me in this regard; I seek to be the next president of our beloved nation because I believe I have something to offer Nigeria at this time of multiple crises. Insecurity, corruption and economic collapse have robbed the country low, time is fast due that we work together to lift Nigeria up. I am ready to lead Nigeria to its rightful future, I have always served Nigeria to the best of my ability, I have always strived to give more to the nation than it has given me. This is the principle of service that have guided by public life. Thus, I am not a rich person, I can’t give a fist full of dollars or naira to purchase your support, even if I could, I will not do so, because the fate of this country is not for sale. What I will give you and this nation is all of my strength, committement, sweat and toil in the service of the people, what I can give you is my all.”
However, that, Muhammadu Buhari is the winner of the just concluded inaugural Presidential primaries of the APC is no longer news, and that the process that made him the preferred choice out of five aspirants who jostled for the coveted position will continue to receive acclaim from many for some time to come is equally unarguable. What is crucial at this point in the polity is a quick reality check. That politicians are fond of eloquent speeches is not alien to the Nigeria political landmark, we can’t forget so soon the famous “I had no shoes” sob speech of the incumbent President, how much world of good that carefully articulated speech went in ensuring it grabbed the sympathy of many Nigeria to believing in the Jonathan administration’s promised eleven point agenda can never be overemphasized. Today, it is no longer the case of a man without shoes, but one who is eager to consolidate his grip on power at all cost at the expense of what views the masses hold.
However, for one charged with the leadership of a large and diverse entity like Nigeria. Expectedly, there have been flaws and so also has the administration recorded successes and equally made some giant strides. Notably among which includes, the liberalization of the press and guaranteeing the freedom of speech in a country where undermining and abuse the press and suppression of citizens right to freedom of speech flourished. For the first in recent history, the personality of the president is open to popular criticism with recourse to hunting down critics and locking them behind bars for comments made about the administration or even the office of the President. 
The Goodluck Jonathan’s administration can also be given a pat on the back for rebasing the country’s GDP for the first time in over a decade. Thus, making Nigeria the largest economy in Africa, overtaking South Africa and Egypt in the process. Revival of the forgone automotive policy, that has given a breath of fresh air to the hailing automotive industry in Nigeria, through this singular effort of the administration, global automotive giants like Peugeot, Nissan and Hyundai now either assemble or manufacture cars in various locations in Nigeria. Not to forget quickly, the hosting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), the first of its kind by a West African state, which was applauded for being the most successful in history, at a time when the nation grapples with eminent security crisis.
Worthy of note also, is the YOUWIN program initiated by the administration in 2011, the youth empowerment initiative was a program aimed at generating over 100,000 jobs for innovative unemployed youths across the country in the course of three years. There is also the establishment of nine Federal Universities across the country; this is in a bid to address the growing demand for tertiary education. The introduction of the Almajiri school system in the academically disadvantaged northern part of the country is also worthy of mention. The power sector reform is another area the President has committed to leaving an eternal legacy on the lives of Nigeria, as the Jonathan administration has been credited for improving power generation from the 2000megawatt it inherited from successive administrations to over 4500megawatt in 2012, the highest capacity generated since the return to civil rule in 1999 and with the coming upstream 10 new power plants under the National Integration Power Project (NIPP),  power generation is expected to hit an all time high of 10,000megawatt by end of December 2014. This effort is in bid to ensure steady supply of electricity for both industrial and domestic use across the country, a key component of revival the nation’s industrial sector.
Some of the supposed giant leap made during the Jonathan administration was the revival of the once comatose railway system of transportation in Nigeria. Another key area of the transport sector that has received prompt attention from the administration is the aviation sector, which has witnessed an unprecedented remodeling, beautification and standardization of major airports across the country and also the purchase of functional and new aircrafts. The agricultural sector has equally enjoyed the attention of the administration given that the country has now successfully reduced food importation by over 40%. Thus, edging even closer to self sufficiency in food production. Today, Nigeria is now the world’s largest producer of cassava according to recent report by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO). An achievement credited also to the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.
Another effort worth commending is the swiftness with which the administration arrested the dreaded outbreak of the deadly and highly contagious Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). However, these laudable achievement have been overshadowed by the growing fatalities caused by the problem of insurgency mostly in the North Eastern portion of the country, as many as over 8000 people have so far lost their lives owing to the militia Boko Haram insurgent and properties running into billions of naira either carted away or destroyed since the group first struck in 2009 till date. Thus, leading to growing frustration from the masses on the Jonathan administration’s ability to arrest the situation and its competence in discharging its fundamental function of safeguarding the lives and properties of Nigerians given that the problem wagged on for too long.  The opposition APC are now keen to cash-in on the increasing disappointment that the masses have expressed over the high level of corruption that is bedeviling the country, which has made it impossible for any meaningful growth or government policy to sip through and bring about the much talked about transformation that the country so dearly yearns for.
The people are also bitter that, a man they gave so much trust to in 2011, due to his now famous I grew up with no shoes sob story. Has betrayed their trust and allowed corruption and political impunity to thrive unabated while poverty and injustice deepens in the country. It was for these reasons that hitherto strange bed fellows who are tired of the lack of progress in the country in the midst of plenty, left their different parties and came together to form the APC. And thus far it has been a flourishing partnership, but it has only appeared as such because of the genuine cry for change from the Nigerian masses. Furthermore, the candidacy of General Muhammadu Buhari is gaining the current unprecedented masses support because of his dogmatic and anti-elitist approach in his affairs and disposition has regards to his ideas and vision for Nigeria.
Honesty and integrity, these two words most Nigerians like me grew up listening to General Buhari profess in his sayings or exhibited in his life dealings. However sincere this may be, hasn’t made much of an appeal on Nigerians in previous attempts as it is currently generating, for when we look back in history, from the time the current democratic experiment begun in 1999 to date. You will have to agree that two, out of the three leaders we have so far had, with the exception of late Umaru Yar’Adua who was literarily imposed on Nigerians, were voted for, based on their past misfortunes or sympathy. Obasanjo had just been out of jail, and so he had felt the pangs of pain and Nigerians felt he should technically be able to reckon with their situation and serve as a source of succor to their plights. More so, it felt like a proper time to compensate the Yoruba speaking people of the South West for the injustice meted to them after the June 12, 1992 annulled polls, for which one of their tribesman was robbed off popular mandate. Goodluck Jonathan on the other hand grew up without shoes, who best could have probably understood poverty better than one with a firsthand experience and that could readily connect with millions of our countrymen and women who toil the corners and streets barefooted. If Muhammadu Buhari will be the recent benefactor from these sympathy appeal from the Nigerian masses is only a question of time.
However, it is safe to say, Nigerians have this “push towards popular choice” attitude towards political decisions. At first it was sympathy for Obasanjo that just got out jail, then compassion towards the marginalized South-South boy whose sobbing tale of no shoes gave us away. In both instances, we ended up being disappointed as situation under these two previous antecedents fell short of our collective agitations and expectation. Today, we are gradually gravitating towards the poor man whose only source of income is his army pension and has proclaimed wouldn’t condescend to paying anybody to be on their good books but serve the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians, because for him the future of Nigeria was not up for sale. Yes! A new dawn we want to believe has emerged, a savior has jumped into the scene, and without recourse to subjecting ourselves to the possibility that his tenure could rain far worse baptism of blood bath than that the Boko Haram is currently wagging, holds no place in our thought. Buhari has said as part of his campaign promises to create over seventy thousand jobs, meanwhile, in all of his post military year, he hasn’t been able to establish or manage a venture that provides jobs to the teeming youth of even his own region.
For a man with such goodwill, with which he can conjure in acquiring a loan 27.5milion naira to pursue his presidential ambition, I wonder why such goodwill were not implored to get such loan to set up ventures that can provide jobs for Nigerian youth all along. Furthermore, we all bear witnessed to the polio virus that once ravaged the northern region, wwouldn’t it be safe to ask whether General Buhari was able to use his popular appeal to sensitize and raise the consciousness of the people to its danger, or like Bill Gates provide or helped to raise funds to fight the menace, by using his goodwill to encourage the elites to pledge support to the course, history has long foretold this answers . However, some others might be aversive to change. And so, would rather be comfortable with a leader regardless of how disheartening it is with them, they become the messiah-like figure we sort after and no matter how horrific the journey get, we stay loyal, believing they will eventually get us to the Promised Land.
Whether or not Buhari joins the list of candidates which sympathy or compassionate votes worked in their favor remains to be seen, what is however, clear to many, going by the position of pundits is that 2015 General Election would not be business as usual for the PDP which has strengthened its grip overtime on power especially at the centre since the inception of this dispensation and has remained undefeated at the Presidential election since 1999. Would Buhari’s new found popularity be enough to carry the day and would 2015 mark the year the curtain finally closes on the dominance of Africa’s largest political power house PDP. Time shall tell. However, beyond the rhetoric, Nigerians must at this crucial time in our democratic history, take a step back and carefully analyze their choices in line with our past, present and foreseeable antecedents and realize that their choice could either make or mar the survival of Africa’s largest democracy.

2015: CAMPAIGN MANIFESTOES AND THE CLAMOUR FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

By: Mohammed Umar Pharook
Edited by: Tunji Oludiran

Any time a nation prepares for general elections, a great deal of effort goes into campaigning it is an integral part of the election process. It is also a common trend in politics which involves formal declaration of a party’s or candidate’s political ideologies and policy for its subjects. As the election year draws near, the party’s manifesto is expected to outline the vision of the political party with the hope that, if properly articulated and delivered flawlessly, it will win over new followers and earn the political party great support to clinch every available contestable position in an election. And so, it is not uncommon to hear these frequently repeated words in the context of Nigerian politics, “I … promise that, if elected as …, I will do so and so” in perhaps the most sugar-coated tune or format one could have possibly imagined. But by the end of a political dispensation and another electioneering year, the same old lines of cliché promises are resounded over again either by the same or a different aspirant or political party. The story seems to be same, a trend that has overtime found a niche within our political culture.

However, democratic values are indeed enshrined in accountability. A manifesto is, therefore, very useful and serves as an integral benchmark for measuring the performance of a government and ensures that it becomes accountable to the electorates based on promises outlined in its manifesto. Party manifestoes, if well drafted, hold the advantage of spelling out clearly the core values that provides guidelines to all elected on a party’s platform. Manifestoes have long been revered for being important piece of primary policy document for political parties in established democracies across the globe. Particularly, they represent meaningful sources of information which ranges from a party’s position on a wide range of developmental issues.

Party manifestoes have, however, been argued in recent times to be something that is not applied in governance in Nigeria at the moment. What is quite appalling is that since decades, politicians and aspirants have repeatedly taken to the podium to make such lofty verbal declaration either on behalf of their parties or promote their political ambition. Yet politicians from the First Republic to the current crop of political elite in the country have not done satisfactorily well to renege on their campaign promises. In actual fact, what is been observed is that as soon as elections are won, these party men and women discard their carefully articulated manifestoes for a rather untenable and flamboyant path of acculturating corruption and gross misappropriation of public trust and funds. This is a colossal deviation from the masses friendly venture they once pledged to uphold in their manifestoes.

Four years down the line, the lamenting voices of the same politicians beckon for another four year term to fulfill their pledges, fast track eight years into their reign. The situation is either static, if not visibly retrogressive. So, at a point one may be tempted to ask, does their manifesto get muddled up in the dustbins of governance, do politicians themselves believe in the feasibility of their own or party’s manifesto, do the electorate vote base on a political party’s manifesto, should a party’s manifesto become the litmus test for assessing politicians by the electorate or should it continue to be the case of sugar-coated proclamations to gain access into public offices as is the case in the federated states? It is noteworthy to add at this point that in an attempt to hold on to power, manifestoes can sometimes be embellished in unrealistic promises.

Indeed one of the challenges that confront multi-party democracy like ours, is the contention between party manifestoes and national aspirations in evolving a long term blueprints that would serve as national development agenda for the country. Consequently, much as a political party’s manifesto is an important policy document worthy of consideration, it is prudent to say that when development agendas are conceived and played out in the colors of political party’s manifestoes, it becomes difficult for successive administrations to adopt them especially where issues discussed lack proper national outlook or fail to address other critical aspects of our national political culture. Take the ruling party, People Democratic Party’s 2011 manifestoes for example, the manifestoes were silent on the issues of job creation, employment or even anti-corruption.

This is not however, in anyway suggesting the party doesn’t have job creation and anti-corruption war as part of its programmes. But rather, the failure to encapsulate these two in its manifestoes of 2011 can be viewed, if electorates make voting decision on the basis of campaign manifestoes as a gross oversight. What is even more pathetic is that, the youth whose critical concerned is securing gainful employment, troop in large numbers to these venues, only for the hope that their plights are been reckoned with dashed (that is if they even noticed so). The same scenario can be said of some other parties in the land as well.

This is most probably as a result of the tendency for some politicians who regard particular development strategies as owned by a particular party in government. As such, they exercise reservations in embracing them and when this continues, it become the norm of a nation that is saddled with a plethora of unfinished projects, projects wearing the tag of belonging to a certain political party.

Meanwhile, for governance to have a nationalist outlook, the days of attributing programmes and policies to certain individuals or political parties that once held position of power, regardless of whether they bear significant meaning to the masses must have to give way for sustainability in government policies regardless of party affiliations. Politicians must learn to draw up campaign manifestoes that promote continuity in policies and developmental agendas. If the whole aim of governance is to at the very least provide majority with incentives for life’s comfort, policies aimed at achieving such must transcend beyond party nomenclature and be enshrined in the manifestoes of political parties as core element of the national aspiration of the state.

As the 2015 general elections draw even nearer, should party manifestoes become the yardstick for measuring political parties, its candidates or even its philosophy or should the culture of presenting a manifesto be discarded. Most often than not, these manifestoes are neither implemented nor given proper reckoning after elections are won. If that should be the case, what then is the fate of political parties who have or have not implemented their policies and programs as expressed in their manifestoes. Given the peculiar instances of Nigeria’s democratic experience, common items contained in these manifestoes are provision of electricity, good access roads, portable drinking water, and functional heath facilities and so on. All these cannot be said to have been satisfactorily delivered in over fifty (50) years of independence. So, who gets the boot for these shortfalls. That’s a thought for a later date.

However, as political parties spell out their programmes for development as encoded in their manifestoes, it will be appropriate to align them with national vision and aspirations. Should they be elected to govern, there is the need to streamline national development policies with party manifestoes for a framework that is pictured in the long term national development goal of the country. This will go a long way to serving as the benchmark by which programmes and manifestoes of political parties can be assessed. For indeed, if ever there is such a time when a strategic framework can be valuable, it is now when the nation is preparing for the 2015 general elections. For a sustained developmental process to be a reality, it requires that both the national and state visions and political parties manifestoes must become critical components of the development framework.

With 2015 general election on the horizon and as political parties gear up to roll out their campaign trains, one is sure to be bombarded once more by well crafted flawlessly delivered manifestoes by political parties and their aspirants. But should these manifestoes continue to read the same provision of social amenities to the polity with enduring welfare for all, as has been the case for over five decades of our national lives, wouldn’t that be begging for a critical assessment of the underlining essence of political parties? The same things being promised are still grossly inadequate or should it be the case of giving the new guys a chance to try out their hands in achieving a feat that is becoming a wild goose chase.

Political parties would do this great nation of ours a great service if they ensure that they relate their manifestoes to such a strategic national development framework which carries the development vision of the state as this will go a long way in ensuring overall nationalistic approach to sustainable development planning in Nigeria that would transcends beyond generations.

Another Literary thought expressed

Wole Soyinka writes on the #bringbackjonathan post, says he knows Australian hostage negotiator

Culled from: Linda Ikeji’s Blog

In a piece he titled ‘The Wages of Impunity’, Nobel Laureate Prof Soyinka condemned the recent #bringbackjonathan2015 campaign slogan and GEJ’s recent trip to Chad with Ali Modu Sheriff, who has been accused of being a Boko Haram sponsor. In the piece posted on Sahara Reporters, Prof Soyinka wrote that he knows Australian hostage negotitaor Stephen Davis, saying that they both worked together under late President Umaru Musa Yar Adua’s regime during the struggle for the return of peace in the Niger Delta region. 
He also wrote that he has his own theories regarding how General Ihejirika may have come under Stephen Davis’ searchlight. Find his article after the cut…

The dancing obscenity of Shekau and his gang of psychopaths and child abductors, taunting the world, mocking the BRING BACK OUR GIRLS campaign on internet, finally met its match in Nigeria to inaugurate the week of September 11 – most appropriately. Shekau’s danse macabre was surpassed by the unfurling of a political campaign banner that defiled an entry point into Nigeria’s capital of Abuja. That banner read:  BRING BACK JONATHAN 2015.
President Jonathan has since disowned all knowledge or complicity in the outrage but, the damage has been done, the rot in a nation’s collective soul bared to the world. The very possibility of such a desecration took the Nigerian nation several notches down in human regard. It confirmed the very worst of what external observers have concluded and despaired of  – a culture of civic callousness, a coarsening of sensibilities and, a general human disregard. It affirmed the acceptance, even domination of lurid practices where children are often victims of unconscionable abuses including ritual sacrifices, sexual enslavement, and worse. Spurred by electoral desperation, a bunch of self-seeking morons and sycophants chose to plumb the abyss of self-degradation and drag the nation down to their level.  It took us to a hitherto unprecedented low in ethical degeneration.  The bets were placed on whose turn would it be to take the next potshots at innocent youths in captivity whose society and governance have failed them and blighted their existence? Would the Chibok girls now provide standup comic material for the latest staple of Nigerian escapist diet?  Would we now move to a new export commodity in the entertainment industry named perhaps “Taunt the Victims”?
As if to confirm all the such surmises, an ex-governor, Sheriff, notorious throughout the nation – including within security circles as affirmed in their formal dossiers – as prime suspect in the sponsorship league of the scourge named Boko Haram,  was presented to the world as a presidential traveling companion. And the speculation became: was the culture of impunity finally receiving endorsement as a governance yardstick?  Again, Goodluck Jonathan swung into a plausible explanation: it was Mr. Sheriff who, as friend of the host President Idris Deby, had traveled ahead to Chad to receive Jonathan as part of President Deby’s welcome entourage.  What, however does this say of any president? How come it that a suspected affiliate of a deadly criminal gang, publicly under such ominous cloud, had the confidence to smuggle himself into the welcoming committee of another nation, and even appear in audience, to all appearance a co-host with the president of that nation? Where does the confidence arise in him that Jonathan would not snub him openly or, after the initial shock, pull his counterpart, his official host aside and say to him, “Listen, it’s him, or me.”? So impunity now transcends boundaries, no matter how heinous the alleged offence?

The Nigerian president however appeared totally at ease. What the nation witnessed in the photo-op was an affirmation of a governance principle, the revelation of a decided frame of mind – with precedents galore. Goodluck Jonathan has brought back into limelight more political reprobates – thus attested in criminal courts of law and/or police investigations – than any other Head of State since the nation’s independence. It has become a reflex. Those who stuck up the obscene banner in Abuja had accurately read Jonathan right as a Bring-back president. They have deduced perhaps that he sees “bringing back” as a virtue, even an ideology, as the corner stone of governance, irrespective of what is being brought back. No one quarrels about bringing back whatever the nation once had and now sorely needs – for instance, electricity and other elusive items like security, the rule of law etc. etc. The list is interminable. The nature of what is being brought back is thus what raises the disquieting questions. It is time to ask the question: if Ebola were to be eradicated tomorrow, would this government attempt to bring it back?

Well, while awaiting the Chibok girls, and in that very connection, there is at least an individual whom the nation needs to bring back, and urgently. His name is Stephen Davis, the erstwhile negotiator in the oft aborted efforts to actually bring back the girls.  Nigeria needs him back – no, not back to the physical nation space itself, but to a Nigerian induced forum, convoked anywhere that will guarantee his safety and can bring others to join him. I know Stephen Davis, I worked in the background with him during efforts to resolve the insurrection in the Delta region under President Shehu Yar’Adua. I have not been involved in his recent labours for a number of reasons. The most basic is that my threshold for confronting evil across a table is not as high as his –  thanks, perhaps, to his priestly calling. From the very outset, in several lectures and other public statements, I have advocated one response and one response only to the earliest, still putative depredations of Boko Haram and have decried any proceeding that smacked of appeasement. There was a time to act – several times when firm, decisive action, was indicated. There are certain steps which, when taken, place an aggressor beyond the pale of humanity, when we must learn to accept that not all who walk on two legs belong to the community of humans – I view Boko Haram in that light. It is no comfort to watch events demonstrate again and again that one is proved to be right.

Thus, it would be inaccurate to say that I have been detached from the Boko Haram affliction – very much the contrary. As I revealed in earlier statements, I have interacted with the late National Security Adviser, General Azazi, on occasion – among others.  I am therefore compelled to warn that anything that Stephen Davis claims to have uncovered cannot be dismissed out of hand.  It cannot be wished away by foul-mouthed abuse and cheap attempts to impugn his integrity – that is an absolute waste of time and effort. Of the complicity of ex-Governor Sheriff in the parturition of Boko Haram, I have no doubt whatsoever, and I believe that the evidence is overwhelming. Femi Falana can safely assume that he has my full backing – and that of a number of civic organizations – if he is compelled to go ahead and invoke the legal recourses available to him to force Sheriff’s prosecution. The evidence in possession of Security Agencies – plus a number of diplomats in Nigeria – is overwhelming, and all that is left is to let the man face criminal persecution. It is certain he will also take many others down with him.

Regarding General Ihejirika, I have my own theories regarding how he may have come under Stephen Davis’ searchlight in the first place, ending up on his list of the inculpated. All I shall propose at this stage is that an international panel be set up to examine all allegations, irrespective of status or office of any accused. The unleashing of a viperous cult like Boko Haram on peaceful citizens qualifies as a crime against humanity, and deserves that very dimension in its resolution. If a people must survive, the reign of impunity must end. Truth – in all available detail – is in the interest, not only of Nigeria, the sub-region and the continent, but of the international community whose aid we so belatedly moved to seek. From very early beginnings, we warned against the mouthing of empty pride to stem a tide that was assuredly moving to inundate the nation but were dismissed as alarmists. We warned that the nation had moved into a state of war, and that its people must be mobilized accordingly – the warnings were disregarded, even as slaughter surmounted slaughter, entire communities wiped out, and the battle began to strike into the very heart of governance, but all we obtained in return was moaning, whining and hand-wringing up and down the rungs of leadership and governance. But enough of recriminations – at least for now. Later, there must be full accounting.

Finally, Stephen Davis also mentions a Boko Haram financier within the Nigerian Central Bank. Independently we are able to give backing to that claim, even to the extent of naming the individual. In the process of our enquiries, we solicited the help of a foreign embassy whose government, we learnt, was actually on the same trail, thanks to its independent investigation into some money laundering that involved the Central Bank. That name, we confidently learnt, has also been passed on to President Jonathan. When he is ready to abandon his accommodating policy towards the implicated, even the criminalized, an attitude that owes so much to re-election desperation, when he moves from a passive “letting the law to take its course” to galvanizing the law to take its course, we shall gladly supply that name.

In the meantime however, as we twiddle our thumbs, wondering when and how this nightmare will end, and time rapidly runs out, I have only one admonition for the man to whom so much has been given, but who is now caught in the depressing spiral of diminishing returns: “Bring Back Our Honour.”
Wole Soyinka

Prof. Wole Soyinka

ZMapp Ebola Treatment: What To Know About The Experimental Drug Made From Tobacco

By Treye Green  @TreyeGreen 

Two U.S. citizens infected with the Ebola
virus while in Liberia were the first
recipients of ZMapp, an experimental
treatment created by Mapp
Biopharmaceutical and LeafBio to help
fight the sometimes-deadly virus. The
patients, both aid workers, appear to be
improving after receiving ZMapp, but
questions remain about the drug, created
with tobacco plants, which had previously
been tested only on primates.

How Does The ZMapp Ebola Treatment
Work?

The ZMapp cocktail fuses the MB-003 and
ZMAb Ebola treatments. Created by
California-based Mapp Biopharmaceutical,
MB0-003 was shown to offer 100 percent
protection to monkeys from Ebola when it
was administered to the animals
immediately after they were exposed to the
virus. ZMapp offered monkeys a 100
percent survival rate a full day after
exposure and 50 percent after two days,
NBC News reported. ZMapp combines the
“best components” of the two treatments,
says a ZMapp information sheet recently
posted on the Mapp Bio site.

Since the antibodies present in the serum
were taken from mice exposed to Ebola, the
drug is known as a three-mouse monoclonal
antibody mixture, Forbes reports. Ideally,
the body’s immune system can vigilantly
fight off the virus once the antibodies from
the serum are present in the blood system.
The treatment offers an artificial immune
response to the virus, and the lab-made
antibodies then fight the infection by
sticking to the Ebola virus.

What Does Tobacco Have To Do With
The Treatment?

The artificial antibodies used in the
treatment are created from a tobacco-plant
strain found in Australia. The plants are
altered specifically for the serum and then
harvested and ground into the green mix
used in the serum doses, says the
Washington Post. The plants serve as an
ideal place to grow the massive amounts of
the antibodies needed for the treatment.
Speaking to Bloomberg, Charles Arntzen, a
plant biotechnology expert at Arizona State
University, says that the genes of the
antibodies scientist want are fused to the
tobacco genes, infecting the tobacco with
the virus. The plant produces antibodies
that are subsequently separated from the
plant when it is ground up.

Why Is It Available Only In The U.S.?

Since the antibodies used in the treatment
are created at Mapp Biopharmaceutical’s
plant in Kentucky, the small amount of the
ZMapp that exists is located in the United
States. The process to create the treatment
is extremely expensive and the serum
remains in an experimental stage.

Could The Treatment Work On A Larger
Scale?

Medical professionals say that ZMapp
could in theory be used to combat the Ebola
outbreak in West Africa. But officials
continue to remind people that other than
the two American patients, no human
testing has been done with the vaccine and
it has not been approved to be used on
humans in North America or anywhere else.
Producing enough ZMapp for human trials
would take at least two months.

How Did The U.S. Patients Get Access To
ZMapp?

In order for the two Americans to receive
the ZMapp treatment, it is believed the
FDA expedited the process needed to
approve human testing of an experimental
drug, CNN reports. This could have been
completed under the FDA’s “compassionate
use” regulation, which offers experimental
drugs to be used outside of clinical trials.
Dr. Kent Brantly received his first dose of
the serum after being ill for nine days.
Nancy Writebol received her dose around
7-10 days after being exposed to the Ebola
virus. The serum was flown to the hospital
in Liberia where both Brantly and Writebol
were receiving treatment.

Is The ZMapp Treatment Safe?

Medical professionals continue to stress
that the ZMapp hasn’t been approved for
human trials and that potential side effects
remain unknown. Doctors working with
Brantly and Writebol say their conditions
have improved since taking ZMapp. But
there is no way to immediately connect the
patients’ improvement to the vaccine. Their
improvement could be the result of their
immune systems naturally combating the virus

Where did Kogi state university, Anyigba get it all wrong?

By: Muhammad Umar Pharook

When you step up to be screened as a student in most universities in Nigeria, the mere mention of Kogi state as your state of origin raises quite a stare, I know that much because I have had to experience it firsthand and also close friends have equally attested to such. So naturally, it is wise to conclude that Kogites place huge premium of education and the hunger for university education drives them to all the corners of the country and beyond.

However, with recently published ranking of universities in Nigeria which placed the university of Ilorin way ahead all other universities in Nigeria in first place (and 20th in Africa) and shockingly Kogi state university at 111th position, just one above the least ranked university (i.e Akwa Ibom state university) in 112th place, is just too bitter a pill for any well meaning kogites to swallow, given the state’s pride of place in education in Northern Nigeria.

If there’s any lesson from this to be learned, one most question, where did it all go wrong for an institution that once stood tall in the confluence of Benue and the Niger as the envy of most state universities especially with regards to infrastructure. Did management of state infrastructure suddenly fell into wrong hands? A lot of questions are bound but, rather than focus attention on that alone, prompt actions should at the point be enforced to salvage what’s left of the dwindling fortunes of the pride of Kogi state.

Below a complete list of the ranking:

Unilorin of Ilorin located in Ilorin, Kwara State ranks first in Nigeria and 20th In Africa in the recently released Rankings For July 2014. 

See how other universities are ranked in Nigeria:

1  University of Ilorin –         Ilorin
2  University of Lagos – Lagos
3  Obafemi Awolowo University         Ile-Ife
4  University of Ibadan – Ibadan
5  Landmark University – Omu-Aran
6  Covenant University – Ota
7  Federal University of Technology, Minna Minna

8  University of Benin – Ugbowo 
9  University of Agriculture, Abeokuta      Abeokuta

10  University of Nigeria         Nsukka 
11  Madonna University Okija
12  Ahmadu Bello University Zaria
13  University of Port Harcourt Port Harcourt
14  Federal University of Technology, Akure Akure

15  Rivers State University of Science and Technology Port Harcourt

16  Bayero University Kano Kano
17  University of Jos         Jos
18  Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka 
19  Redeemer’s University         Mowe
20  University of Maiduguri Maiduguri
21  Ebonyi State University Abakaliki
22  Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti Ado-Ekiti
23  Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Ogbomoso 

24  Lagos State University Ojo
25  Joseph Ayo Babalola University Ikeji-Arakeji

26  Federal University, Oye-Ekiti Oye 
27  Kwara State University Ilorin
28  Veritas University Abuja
29  Federal University of Technology, Owerri Owerri

30  Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko 
31  University of Uyo Uyo
32  Pan African University         Lagos
33  Bingham University Auta Balifi
34  Federal University, Dutse Dutse
35  Osun State University         Oshogbo …
36  University of Calabar         Calabar
37  Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University       Katsina
38  Nasarawa State University Keffi
39  Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ndufu-Alike

40  American University of Nigeria Yola
41  Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti
42  Baze University         Abuja
43  Lead City University         Ibadan
44  Tai Solarin University of Education Ijebu-Ode.

45  Federal University, Otuoke Otuoke
46  University of Agriculture, Makurdi Makurdi
47  Enugu State University of Science and Technology Enugu
48  Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma
49  Niger Delta University         Wilberforce Island Yenagoa

50  Renaissance University Enugu
51  Anambra State University Uli
52  Crawford University Faith City …
53  Kaduna State University Kaduna
54  Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun

55  Achievers University, Owo Owo
56  Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi
57  Delta State University, Abraka Abraka
58  Ajayi Crowther University Oyo Town
59  African University of Science and Technology Abuja

60  Benue State University Makurdi
61  Al-Hikmah University         Ilorin …
62  Olabisi Onabanjo University Ago Iwoye …
63  Caleb University         Imota
64  Nigerian Turkish Nile University Abuja
65  Paul University         Awka
66  Bells University of Technology Ota
67  Modibbo Adama University of Technology Yola

68  Adeleke University Ede
69  Igbinedion University Okada Okada …
70  Fountain University Oshogbo
71  Federal University, Lokoja Lokoja
72  Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai

73  Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umuahia

74  Benson Idahosa University Benin City
75  Caritas University Enugu
76  Ondo State University of Science & Technology Okitipupa

77  Babcock University Ilishan-Remo …
78  Bowen University Iwo
79  University of Mkar Mkar
80  Kebbi State University of Science and Technology Aliero

81  Oduduwa University Ile Ife
82  Novena University Ogume
83  University of Abuja Abuja
84  Imo State University         Owerri
85  Obong University Obong Ntak
86  Usmanu Danfodio University Sokoto
87  Kano University of Science and Technology Wudil

88  Federal University, Kashere Kashere
89  Crescent University Abeokuta
90  Salem University         Lokoja
91  Abia State University         Uturu
92  Elizade University Ilara-Mokin
93  Western Delta University Oghara
94  Cross River University of Science & Technology Calabar.

95  Federal University, Dutsin-Ma Dutsin-Ma
96  Wellspring University Benin City
97  Wesley University of Science and Technology Ondo City

98  Adamawa State University Mubi
99  Gombe State University Gombe
100  Federal University, Wukari Wukari
101  Samuel Adegboyega University Ogwa
102  Yobe State University Damaturu
103  Federal University, Lafia Lafia
104  Bauchi State University Gadau …
105  Taraba State University Jalingo
106  Sokoto State University Sokoto
107  Kwararafa University Wukari Wukari
108  Tansian University Umunya …
109  Godfrey Okoye University Ugwuomu-Nike
110  Katsina University Katsina
111  Kogi State University Anyigba
112  Akwa Ibom State University Uyo
Source: 4icu.org (4 International Colleges and Universities) Rankings For July 2014. 

When I first shared the post, a couple of friend (and sadly enough, some from Kogi state university, Anyigba) mostly from Kogi state didn’t quite understand the implications of such ratings, rather they saw the uniqueness of the position (I.e Numberical Value of 111) as something worth celebrating because it felt they’ve accorded specialty. I would however not want to be like some friends from other states who felt such disheartening circumstance KSU would be greeted in a celebratory fashion worst still be its own Alumnus, might as well be concluded to have really painted the true picture of academia in the state.

But, for those who fail to see what this ranking meant, here is the really hard and painful truth to take from it, that Kogi state university seats at 111th position isn’t only the sad reality of the ratings, but also what it translates (for my friends and Alumnus of the institution) to is that, a certificate from the institution is 110th times least valuable to that of students from the University of Ilorin which aloft all others in Nigeria as at the July rating. Now that is some not worth rejoicing over, especially if you are from Kogi state. Something urgent and drastic needs to be done and done fast else, its only a matter of time before we knock Akwa Ibom state University off the bottom (God forbid).

The Ultimate Ramadan Dua’ List

– Shaykh Navaid Aziz

I looked at the greatest needs we have in this day and age and selected 7 dua’s from the Quran and Sunnah that I feel would be in the best interests of every Muslim. It would be ideal to print this list (or have it on your phone) and keep it handy at the time of iftar. Likewise, please add to your list anything else that you would like, especially that which your heart desires. For your convenience I have included the Arabic, English transliteration, and English translation. I pray Allah accepts from us all, and makes us from those who are forgiven and pardoned this Ramadan and entered into alfirdaws in the hereafter. Ameen.

DUA 1:

للّهُـمَّ إِنِّي أَعْوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الهَـمِّ وَ الْحُـزْنِ، والعًجْـزِ
والكَسَلِ والبُخْـلِوالجُـبْنِ
وضَلْـعِ الـدَّيْنِ وغَلَبَـةِ الرِّجال

Allahumma inni ‘audhubika min al-hammi wal huzani,wal ‘ajzi wal kasali, wal bukhli wal jubni, wa dala’ad-dayni wa ghalabatir-rijâl.
(O Allah, I take refuge in You from anxiety and sorrow, weakness and laziness, miserliness and cowardice, the burden of debts and from being over powered by men.)

DUA 2:

رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِيالدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ
النَّارِ
Rabbana aatina fid-dunya hassanatau,wa fil akhirati hassanatau, waqina ‘adhab an-nar.
(Our Lord, give us in this world [that which is] good and in the Hereafter [that which is] good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire. {Surat Al Baqarah 2: Verse 201})

DUA 3:

رَبِّ اجْعَلْنِي مُقِيمَالصَّلَاةِ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِي ۚ رَبَّنَا وَتَقَبَّلْ
دُعَاءِرَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لِيوَلِوَالِدَيَّ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
يَوْمَ يَقُومُ الْحِسَابُ

Rabbi j’alnee muqeem as-salati wa mindhuriyyati. Rabbana, wa taqabbal dua’. Rabbanaghfir li wa li walidayya wa lilmu’mineena yawma yaqoom ul-hisab
(My Lord, make me an establisher of prayer, and [many] from my descendants. Our Lord, and accept my supplication. Our Lord, forgive me and my parents and the believers the Day the account is established. {Surat Ibrahim 14: Verse 40-41})

DUA 4:

اللّهُـمَّ إِنِّـي أسْـأَلُـكَ العَـفْوَوَالعـافِـيةَ في الدُّنْـيا وَالآخِـرَة
اللّهُـمَّ إِنِّـي أسْـأَلُـكَالعَـفْوَ وَالعـافِـيةَ في ديني وَدُنْـيايَ
وَأهْـلي وَمالـي ، اللّهُـمَّاسْتُـرْ عـوْراتي وَآمِـنْ رَوْعاتـي
،اللّهُـمَّ احْفَظْـني مِن بَـينِ يَدَيَّوَمِن خَلْفـي وَعَن يَمـيني
وَعَن شِمـالي ، وَمِن فَوْقـي ، وَأَعـوذُ بِعَظَمَـتِكَأَن
أُغْـتالَ مِن تَحْتـي

Allahumma inni as-alukaal-‘afwa wal ‘afiyata fid dunya wal akhira. Allahumma inni as-aluka al ‘afwa walafiyata fee deeni wa dunyaya wa ahlee wa malee. Allahummastur ‘awrati wa aminrow’ati. Allahumma ahfadhnee min bayni yadayya min khalfi wa ‘an yameeni wa ‘anshimali wa min fowqi wa a’oodhu bi ‘adhmatika an aghtaala min tahti.
(O Allah, I ask You for pardon and well-being in this life and the next. O Allah,I ask You for pardon and well-being in my religious and worldly affairs, and my family and my wealth. O Allah, veil my weaknesses and set at ease my dismay. O Allah, preserve me from the front and from behind and on my right and on my left and from above, and I take refuge with You lest I be swallowed up by the earth.”)

DUA 5:

اللّهُـمَّ إِنِّـي أَسْأَلُـكَ عِلْمـاً نافِعـاً وَرِزْقـاً طَيِّـباً ،وَعَمَـلاً
مُتَقَـبَّلاً

Allahuma inni as-aluka‘ilman nafi’an wa rizqan tayyiban wa ‘amalan matqaballa.
(O Allah, I ask You for knowledge which is beneficial and sustenance which is good, and deeds which are acceptable.)

DUA 6:

اللّهُـمَّ أَعِـنِّي عَلـى ذِكْـرِكَ وَشُكْـرِك ، وَحُسْـنِ عِبـادَتِـك

Allahuma a’inni ‘aladhikrika washukrika wahusni‘ibadatika.
(O Allah, help me to remember You, to thank You, and to worship You in the best of manners.)

DUA 7:

اللّهُـمَّ إِنِّـي أَسْأَلُـكَ الجَـنَّةَ وأََعوذُ بِـكَ مِـنَ الـنّار

Allahuma inni as-aluka al-jannata wa a’udhubika min an-nar.
(O Allah, I ask You to grant me Paradise and I take refuge in You from the Fire.)
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